(NECN: Lauren Collins, Henniker, N.H.) - From driving nails in the heat to shoosing down slop-side in the snow, the work at Pat’s Peak in Henniker, N.H. is a winter wonderland in the making.
General Manager Kris Blomback says they’ll unveil Cascade Basin in December.
"We'll be adding a new high capacity triple chair as well as about four new trails this year and total build out will be about five or six new trails," Blomback says.
The million dollar project at Pat’s Peak is one of many like it across the state this summer.
Others include the resort at Bretton Woods, which is adding cross country trails near the summit of Mt. Stickney. Loon Mountain is nearly doubling its snow making capacity. Mount Sunapee is upgrading its IT and e-commerce networks as well as adding $100,000 in new rentals and Waterville Valley is about to undergo its first major expansion in 30 years.
All total ski areas in New Hampshire are spending $10 million in improvements this summer and that is money that will trickle down into the local communities.
Intervale Farm Pancake House is hit or miss with the skiers but co-owner Patrick Connor expects to benefit from passers-by who'll come back later in the year.
Local
"It's nice to have the exposure. It's nice to have a healthy business up the street. It keeps everybody else going," he says.
Local tradesmen benefit too. They're the ones doing the site work and making the new lifts. Much of the work is sourced in the area.
The improvements at Pat's Peak also include more snowmaking - a refreshing thought on a day when a snowball wouldn't stand a chance in, well, you know.
"We're addicted to snow, so we like to build and do all the things that are snow-related," says Blomback. "This is the best time of year to get it done."
