Wildcat Mountain Working With U.S. Forest Service to Remove Summit Building
OutdoorHub 07.29.11
Pinkham Notch, NH – After considering all reasonable options, costs and benefits, and working with U.S. Forest Service to understand codes and requirements to renovate the existing summit building that once served as the top-station for the original Wildcat Mountain gondola, Peak Resorts has determined that the capital expense is not feasible and instead budget the costs and expense to dismantle and remove the summit building and restore a small, but noticeable, portion of the natural summit.
“You have to admire and respect the history and the individuals that built what remains of the original, but long neglected, infrastructure here”, said Wildcat Mountain General Manager Josh Boyd. “But we’re in a different era with extensive building requirements and regulations that the U.S. Forest Service has in place to preserve the natural beauty of the White Mountain National Forest. And I have worked with them to understand and fully study what was possible, but building codes and related costs would require us to rebuild the building almost entirely. At this time, we feel the significant capital expense to build at the summit is better spent to simply remove the structure next spring, restore a bit of the natural beauty at the summit, but leave a defined footprint that may allow the U.S. Forest Service to permit a building in the foreseeable future, and to allocate any immediate capital expenses to other more pressing improvements here at Wildcat.” Boyd went on to say that an expense of this proportion to create a minor profit center that may never fully see a break-even return to simply even operate season-to-season, is just the type of thing that challenges any ski area owner or operator to have to consider increasing the price of lift tickets and season passes.
The White Mountain National Forest is consulting with the NH State Historic Preservation Office to ensure that the historic building is thoroughly documented and that its history is recorded before demolition.
Of note, the Mount Washington Observatory has already taken immediate action to relocate their summit web cam and Wildcat Mountain has worked and cooperated to provide an alternate location. Known for its legendary views of Mount Washington and Tuckerman Ravine, Wildcat Mountain is host to one of many summit cams that the Mount Washington Observatory website shares with its members and general public.
Wildcat Mountain, a year-round destination located 100% within the White Mountain National Forest, provides both exhilarating and one-of-a-kind opportunities to enjoy views and scenery that have been consistently voted #1 in the East. In addition to the ZipRider and highest scenic gondola in New Hampshire, Wildcat Mountain offers hiking, fishing, and a lift-serviced 9-hole alpine disc golf course. A seasonal food menu and beer are offered in the base lodge with fresh “Lunch & Ride” packages available for individuals, families, or groups. All rates and information can be found online at skiwildcat.com or by calling 1-888-SKI-WILD.
Thomas Prindle
Director of Marketing
Bartlett, NH 03812
603-374-2605
tprindle@attitash.com
