Wildcat Skiing

Wildcat makes everyone’s ski list for its scenery. As you ski The Cat, you have incredible views of Mount Washington – the tallest mountain on the Eastern Seaboard at 6,289′. Wildcat also has a reputation of reaping more natural snow than any other New Hampshire ski areas, with its high elevation northern location.

Wildcat’s detachable Express quad, NH’s longest and fastest, whisks skiers and riders up the entire 2,112’ vertical to the 4,120′ summit in 6-minutes. We might rename the speedy Wildcat Express the screaming kitty in keeping with their cat theme. Wildcat offers 49 long fun trails, with variety from beautiful mellow purr-fectly groomed runs like 2.75 mile Pole Cat that saunters down the mountainside, to the more direct and all natural Liftlion lift line trail with moguls and magnificent views of Tuckerman’s Ravine, to tight twisty glades that only the locals know.

Vail Resorts owns Wildcat which means as part of the Epic Pass you get great season pass value. Nearby Attitash, also a Vail property shares the same lift ticket allowing you to ski one resort in the morning and the other in the afternoon.

The beauty of Wildcat, aside from the amazing Mt Washington scenery, is that you can get so much vertical on the speedy lift, doing 10-15 minute laps. Kids will find a few elements in the terrain parks, but the entire mountain skis like a big playground.

Wildcat’s learning area includes a Cat and Mouse magic carpet and the Snowcat Triple at the base and there is daycare at Cub’s Den in the rustic lodge. There is nothing fancy here, it feels like a true skier and riders mountain.

Wildcat has no ski resort lodging at the base, since it is in the White Mountain National Forest, so your nearest lodging is down Route 16 toward Jackson, with plentiful options form condos to the Eagle Mountain House and Wentworth Inn, and nearby North Conway is brimming with inns, condos and chain hotels.

Wildcat offers “wild” guided backcountry tours to Jackson village, the 17 kilometer Wildcat Trail is revered for skiers, first cut in 1934.

Après Ski in the Wildcat Pub upstairs in the Base Lodge often features live entertainment and always a view of the slopes. Or head down the access road to the classic Red park Pub or the Wildcat tavern in Jackson or the historic Shovel Handle Pub at Black Mountain.

For Wildcat ski lodging, Jackson Village just 10-minutes drive, offers the nearest ski lodges, charming inns like The Wentworth and Eagle Mountain House, or ski condo rentals for families at Nordic Village.

Wildcat is among our favorite ski areas in the White Mountains, great trails, beautiful views, honest vertical and a very friendly vibe.

Wildcat Stats
Vertical Drop: 2,112’, Summit Elevation: 4,062′
Skiable Terrain: 225
5 Lifts, 48 Trails
90% snowmaking
Located on RT. 16, Pinkham Notch NH
Just past the Pinkham Notch Visitors Center for Tuckerman’s Ravine