November 27, 2019
Day 1
Skiers: Carla, Tim, & Erica
Official day 1 of my Talls & Smalls ski adventure. Wildcat definitely qualifies as a Tall, with a summit elevation of 4,062. It is located in Pinkham Notch, with sweeping views of the Presidential range, and in your face views of both Tuckerman’s & Huntington’s Ravines. This is an old school mountain, classic New England with narrow cut trails, a no-frills base lodge, and zero slope side lodging. Wildcat is notoriously cold, windy, and is definitely a skier’s mountain. I have skied here a few times in the past, last about 2010 or so. Wildcat is typically the first mountain to open in NH, and almost always the last to close. With its proximity across the street from Mount Washington, conditions for snowfall are ideal and accumulation tends to be greater in inches than at other mountains further south on Route 16. We purchased tickets online a few days prior to our visit for $37.99 each for myself and Tim, $31.99 for Erica.
We started the day at 9am on the Tomcat Triple. Early season conditions with 8 trails open all blues and greens. Expectations were to have fun and stretch our legs. Weather was clear but windy, mid 20’s, not quite bluebird as there were a few scattered clouds, but the sun was definitely shining. Snow was groomed, packed, with small stashes of powder near the tree line. Wildcat had just picked up 2 inches the night before. Trees heavily crusted with fresh snow & non-open trails looking pretty good for line drops in the near future. From this lift we skied Middle/Lower Polecat, and Middle Lynx/Lower Lynx with a few adjacent cut throughs. Around 11am the Wildcat Express Quad opened which offered access to Upper Polecat. Now the upper mountain had even more freshies, and I think Upper Polecat now rates as one of my favorite old school runs. Lots of twists, turns, and just a fun playful ride. Lunch consisted of snacks from home in the lodge, and a stop at Cumberland Farms on the way home. We skied until 3pm, and called it a day. Overall impression: Spectacular views and outstanding conditions for early season. Absolutely exceeded my expectations and a perfect choice for kicking off my ski adventure.
Snowy Wishes,
Carla Frontfive
Wildcat, view of the Presidential Range from the summit
Family pic from the Tomcat Triple: Tim, Erica, & Carla
Freshies on the upper mountain
Windburn goggle lines
Snow-covered Ash Tree berries, these were in abundance growing slope side
Sporting my new Kulkea Powder Trekker, background Lowes Bald Spot Mount Washington. Thanks Steve!
Also want to shout out to Dawg for the best ski purchase ever! Ironically searching for Kastle reviews is how I found Pugski a few years back
Wildcat, furthest north ski area on iconic ski Rt 16 North
Day 1
Skiers: Carla, Tim, & Erica
Official day 1 of my Talls & Smalls ski adventure. Wildcat definitely qualifies as a Tall, with a summit elevation of 4,062. It is located in Pinkham Notch, with sweeping views of the Presidential range, and in your face views of both Tuckerman’s & Huntington’s Ravines. This is an old school mountain, classic New England with narrow cut trails, a no-frills base lodge, and zero slope side lodging. Wildcat is notoriously cold, windy, and is definitely a skier’s mountain. I have skied here a few times in the past, last about 2010 or so. Wildcat is typically the first mountain to open in NH, and almost always the last to close. With its proximity across the street from Mount Washington, conditions for snowfall are ideal and accumulation tends to be greater in inches than at other mountains further south on Route 16. We purchased tickets online a few days prior to our visit for $37.99 each for myself and Tim, $31.99 for Erica.
We started the day at 9am on the Tomcat Triple. Early season conditions with 8 trails open all blues and greens. Expectations were to have fun and stretch our legs. Weather was clear but windy, mid 20’s, not quite bluebird as there were a few scattered clouds, but the sun was definitely shining. Snow was groomed, packed, with small stashes of powder near the tree line. Wildcat had just picked up 2 inches the night before. Trees heavily crusted with fresh snow & non-open trails looking pretty good for line drops in the near future. From this lift we skied Middle/Lower Polecat, and Middle Lynx/Lower Lynx with a few adjacent cut throughs. Around 11am the Wildcat Express Quad opened which offered access to Upper Polecat. Now the upper mountain had even more freshies, and I think Upper Polecat now rates as one of my favorite old school runs. Lots of twists, turns, and just a fun playful ride. Lunch consisted of snacks from home in the lodge, and a stop at Cumberland Farms on the way home. We skied until 3pm, and called it a day. Overall impression: Spectacular views and outstanding conditions for early season. Absolutely exceeded my expectations and a perfect choice for kicking off my ski adventure.
Snowy Wishes,
Carla Frontfive
Wildcat, view of the Presidential Range from the summit
Family pic from the Tomcat Triple: Tim, Erica, & Carla
Freshies on the upper mountain
Windburn goggle lines
Snow-covered Ash Tree berries, these were in abundance growing slope side
Sporting my new Kulkea Powder Trekker, background Lowes Bald Spot Mount Washington. Thanks Steve!
Also want to shout out to Dawg for the best ski purchase ever! Ironically searching for Kastle reviews is how I found Pugski a few years back
Wildcat, furthest north ski area on iconic ski Rt 16 North
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