Nestled in the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire, right next to Mount Washington, Wildcat Mountain is a lesser-known gem of a mountain. Rich in history, the small resort has earned its spot among other New England ski resorts. Wildcat is located in Gorham, about 30 minutes from the nearest sizable town, North Conway. It is also around 2 hours and 45 minutes, or 150 miles, from Boston, the nearest major city.
The Civilian Conservation Corps cut the first trail at Wildcat in 1933 for the purpose of ski racing. This trail is still there today and is visible on the trail map as the Wildcat Trail. During the winter of 1957-1958, Wildcat opened a t-bar and North America’s first gondola, built by Carlevero & Savio. This gondola allowed skiers to access 2,100 vertical feet of skiing and riding. The original gondola was dismantled in 1999 after a supplementary high-speed quad was added in 1997. Vail Resorts bought out Wildcat and the nearby resort Attitash in 2019 from Peak Resorts.
Wildcat is a mid-size resort with 49 trails across a 225-acre footprint. Its vertical drop is just over 2,100 feet due to its base elevation of 1,950 feet, one of the highest in the northeast, and summit elevation of 4,068 feet.
Wildcat receives the most snow in New Hampshire most years. The resort averages about 200 inches, or 500 centimeters, of snow annually, which means that you will have ample opportunities to catch a mid-winter powder day.
You have to pass many other significant New England ski areas to get to Wildcat, but if you are wondering why people would skip other resorts to get to Wildcat, the answer is that Wildcat is the best ski area in New Hampshire for advanced and expert skiers. With 33% of its trails comprising advanced runs, it is an advanced skiers paradise. If you enjoy skiing moguls, this is the place for you. Wildcat leaves its advanced terrain ungroomed on most days, meaning that all these trails will consistently have moguls.
Wildcat also boasts New Hampshire’s longest beginner trail, Polecat, which is 2.75 miles long. This trail will surely be a favorite among just about any visitor, beginners and experts alike. The Polecat trail is best enjoyed in the morning after it has been impeccably groomed overnight.
In my opinion, the best trail at Wildcat is, by far, Al’s Folly. Al’s Folly is a short, sweet black diamond consisting of moguls, rock drops, and other natural objects that must be avoided. This trail is not very popular at the resort simply because it is challenging to find, which means that it can hold powder stashes for days after all of the other trails are skied off. I have had the chance to experience this trail on a powder day, and, in my opinion, it is one of the greatest experiences someone can have while skiing.
Another reason Wildcat stands out is the views. Looking out from just about anywhere on the mountain, Mount Washington, the highest peak in the northeast at 6,288 feet, is front and center of your view. On a bluebird day, these views are some of the best in North America. North Conway, New Hampshire, is also visible, along with the mountains around it, off the backside of Wildcat. It is a nice compliment to the views of Mount Washington.
Overall, Wildcat is a great ski area for skiers and riders from the Northeast. It would be a great place for a weekend or day trip, especially if you live there. While it’s not quite as big as the other destination East Coast ski resorts, it still offers an abundance of classic New England ski area charm and a great variety of terrain choices for skiers and riders.
