Wildcat Winter 2023/24 Tip Sheet
Wildcat has long been considered the most scenic resort in the East and is not for the faint of heart. Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Wildcat is home to over 2,100 feet of vertical directly facing Mount Washington. Known for challenging and powder-friendly terrain, Wildcat is also a beginner’s heaven with the longest green circle trail in the East, stretching over 2.75 miles. Wildcat is known far and wide for its breathtaking views, thrilling skiing and riding, and vibrant après scene, including one of the most vibrant tailgating scenes in all of skiing in its legendary C Lot. “The Cat” rewards those with sharp edges and an adventurous spirit with a truly unforgettable alpine experience.
New for 2023/24
This year, and every year, big things are coming when you hit the slopes at our resorts! New chairlifts, new lift-served terrain, and exciting guest experiences have been introduced at our resorts over the past two seasons, and even more is in store for the 2023/24 season! At Wildcat, the Peabody Pedestrian Bridge, connecting the base lodge to the slopes, has been replaced to improve guest flow and provide a foundation for future access.
The new My Epic app Your Pass, now on your phone with the new My Epic app
New this season, the My Epic app with Mobile Pass and Mobile Lift Tickets is now available to download, allowing guests to use their phone as their ticket to the slopes.
Mobile Pass and Mobile Lift Tickets is a hands-free option for skiers and riders to use at all 36 of Vail Resorts owned and operated U.S. resorts for the 2023/24 season, with availability at Whistler Blackcomb to follow in future seasons. It allows guests to buy their pass or lift ticket online, activate it in the new My Epic app, put their phone in their pocket, and get scanned, hands free in the lift line using Bluetooth® technology designed for low energy usage to minimize the impact on a phone’s battery life. This season, to ensure a smooth transition, the company will continue to provide physical cards for passes and lift tickets to all guests. For guests choosing to use Mobile Pass this season, watch this video for some tips.
The My Epic app also offers a range of guest-favorite features, including interactive trail maps with GPS location tracking, and mountain and resort alerts, including operational information like grooming updates, terrain status, snow reports and conditions.
Get Your Epic Pass Today Before They Go Off Sale!
Guests planning to visit this winter – whether one day or all season long – are encouraged to purchase their lift access online in advance to save big. The Epic Local Pass allows for Northeast guests to ski or ride all season long at nearly all the company’s resorts across the East Coast, and take a trip out West with unlimited access at Breckenridge, Keystone and Crested Butte, plus 10 days at Vail, Beaver Creek or Whistler Blackcomb.
The Northeast Value Pass offers incredible value to those who only plan to ski or ride out East, with access to many of the same destinations, including to 21 resorts across the Northeast, Midwest and Mid-Atlantic – such as Stowe, Hunter, Mount Snow, Okemo, Wildcat and Seven Springs.
Vail Resorts also continues to offer the Epic Day Pass, which allows guests access to world-class resorts at pre-season pricing for up to 65 percent off when compared to a lift ticket. The Epic Day Pass is perfect for those who plan to ski and ride from 1-7 days throughout the winter season. In effect, skiers and riders can build their own pass and also choose Epic Flex Pay as a convenient payment option. Compare all Epic Pass offerings on the Epic Pass website. And keep in mind – Epic Passes make it easier than ever for those new or revisiting the sport, with Epic Mountain Rewards for 20 percent off food, lodging, group ski and ride school lessons, equipment rentals and more.
Epic Promise and our Commitment to Zero
In 2017, Vail Resorts announced Commitment to Zero – a bold goal to achieve a zero net operating footprint by 2030 across the entire enterprise. Commitment to Zero creates the opportunity for one mountain resort operator to have a big impact on preserving the environment through its three pillars: zero net emissions, zero waste to landfill, and zero net operating impact on forests and habitat. As part of Commitment to Zero, Vail Resorts committed $25 million in energy-efficiency investments across our resorts, with a focus on snowmaking, buildings, and lifts. Energy efficiency is a key strategy in reducing the emissions associated with our operations.
At Wildcat, new drives for all the motors in the main pumphouse were installed to improve the reliability and efficiency of the snowmaking system and help the Wildcat’s Mountain Ops crew get terrain open and help Wildcat’s Mountain Ops crew get terrain open and keep in tip-top shape for skiing and riding. Also, 18 new snow guns were added to Cheetah for more efficient snowmaking on mid-mountain progressive terrain.
Epic for Everyone – Youth Access and Growing the Sport
The future of winter sports is inclusion. Through investments and partnerships, Vail Resorts is committed to ensuring that all feel welcome, invited, and included. Our Epic for Everyone youth access programs serve thousands of youth annually who may not have had access to the sport. Our programs provide free on-snow sessions including lessons, meals, rentals, mentorship, an introduction to careers in snowsports, and more. This winter, several of our Eastern region resorts will be hosting non-profit organizations for a series of visits.
Slope Days: An After School Ski School
This year, bring your school or youth group to the slopes to learn to ski and ride or enhance your skills! Our new program is designed to welcome new kids into the sport, by giving students the experience of a lifetime in a three or five-week program. This is an all-inclusive program that includes a day-specific lift ticket, rental package, and an hour-long lesson, all at a value rate. Learn more about this program here.
Be Wild
Wildcat is known for its rugged, steep terrain with breathtaking views of Mount Washington. The Wildcat trail was one of the original race trails cut by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933. Guests can ski part of the original trail by following Upper Wildcat from the summit. Today, Wildcat has a vibrant race culture that develops and trains young athletes.
Signature Events
- Mug Club is returning for another season at Wildcat, with a new mug design you won’t want to miss out on.
- Hearding Cats Scavenger Hunt is back for another season with all new missions and exciting prizes for teams with the highest points.
- The Solar Eclipse. Wildcat will be hosting a viewing party on April 8, 2024 in observance of the solar eclipse. Wildcat is in the eclipse path at 98% totality, and guests will be able to observe this once in a lifetime event at Wildcat.
Photos for media use, please credit Wildcat Mountain.
Wildcat Mountain Fast Facts
Base Elevation: 1,950' (594 m)
Summit Elevation: 4,062' (1,238 m)
Vertical Drop: 2,112’ (644 m)
48 Trails: 33% Advanced, 47% Intermediate and 20% Beginner
5 lifts: 1 detachable quad, 3 triples and 1 surface lift
Total Skiable Acres: 225 acres
Avg. Annual Snowfall: 200+ inches
Avg. Season Length: November to April
Trail Classification
33% Advanced
47% Intermediate
20% Beginner
Refuel Your Wild Adventure
Wildcat Mountain has unique dining locations that will refuel your wild adventure. The Wildcat Cafeteria has grab and go or made-to-order food including new taco options. If you are looking for a full-service dining option and bar the Wildcat Pub is where you want to go.
Fun Facts
- The Wildcat Express is the fastest and longest detachable quad chair lift in New Hampshire and possibly the fastest in the Northeast. At full operating speed, it can carry skiers and riders from the base to the summit in just over 6 minutes!
- Polecat is the longest beginner trail in New Hampshire running 2.75 miles!
- Attitash is only 17 miles away.
- Enjoy our intermediate terrain with top-to-bottom winding open runs like Lynx, voted Most Scenic Trail in the North Conway Area by National Geographic.
- If you like steeps, tree skiing and moguls, you'll get your heart pumping skiing various lift lines and tucking into your favorite secret stash.
History
- It was the summer of 1933 that the civilian conservation corps, armed with axes and cross-cut saws, started clearing the Wildcat trail, one of the first ski racing trails built in the United States.
- The decision to develop a modern ski area on Wildcat Mountain was influenced by a few factors. Tremendous annual snowfall, high elevation, and northern exposure assuring a long ski season.
- Among the group that dreamed, planned, and finally built the ski area were Brooks Dodge and George Macomber, both of whom had raced many times on the famous old Wildcat Trail. These two men, each of whom had raced on two U.S. Olympic teams, were joined by Malcolm McLane and William Beal in shaping the first plans for the development of Wildcat Mountain Ski Area.
- The Wildcat Gondola, Wildcat's trademark for many years, was the first lift of this type to be erected in the U.S. Designed and built by an Italian company, Carlevaro & Savio, the Gondola opened for operation during the 1957-58 ski season on January 25, 1958. The 2 person cars were carried by twenty-three towers which kept the lift close to the contours of the mountain, helping to protect the lift from winds. The original Wildcat Gondola closed for good after the 1998-99 season and its dismantlement began, beginning with the removal of its towers and cars. In 2013, the Summit Terminal was demolished, restoring some of the natural beauty of the mountain's summit.
- Taking the Gondola's place for base to summit transportation is the Wildcat Express, a high-speed detachable quad chairlift, which was installed in 1997.
Getting Here
Wildcat Mountain is nestled in the White Mountain National Forest directly across from Mount Washington on Route 16, halfway between the towns of Jackson and Gorham. Wildcat Mountain is about 156 miles from Boston, 119 miles from Manchester, NH, 83 miles from Portland, ME, and 210 miles from Montreal QC, Canada.
Parking
Wildcat offers free parking at the Main Base area as well as two overflow lots that provide easy access directly to the mountain. Our parking lot & base lodge is located just north of the Pinkham Notch Appalachian Mountain Club Visitor Center and just south of Great Glen Trails and the Mount Washington Auto Road. On busy days parking may be diverted to Lots B and C. Lots B and C provide direct access to the mountain. They do not have direct access to the Main Base Lodge.
Stay Connected with Wildcat Mountain
Download the new My Epic app or visit skiwildcat.com for terrain updates, snow reports, local lodging & and dining, event details, and the lowest-priced lift tickets guaranteed. Stay connected socially at facebook.com/wildcatmountain and follow @wildcatmountain on Instagram and @skiwildcat on Twitter.