A group makes its way up the designated uphill route at Pats Peak in Henniker, which starts out on the Blast Trail. Following uphill courtesy, the group ascends in single file to allow plenty of space for skiers and riders cruising downhill.
At the base of the Blast trail at Pats Peak, Cayla Lesher reapplies adhesive skins to the bottom of her skis. The skins provide traction on the ascent.
From the parking lot, uphill skiers and riders can jump right onto the designated uphill route. Don't forget to read the uphill policy before hitting the slopes.
At the base of the Blast trail at Pats Peak, Cayla Lesher reapplies adhesive skins to the bottom of her skis. The skins provide traction on the ascent.
A group makes its way up the designated uphill route at Pats Peak in Henniker, which starts out on the Blast Trail. Following uphill courtesy, the group ascends in single file to allow plenty of space for skiers and riders cruising downhill.
Jill Armstrong
While most people associate a ski trip with fast runs down the mountain, uphill skiing at resorts has exploded in popularity since the pandemic.
“It’s a good way to see the mountain from a different perspective,” said longtime Pats Peak ski patroller Stef Costello earlier this week at the Henniker mountain. “People want to get out and get exercise in a safe and healthy way, and this is the perfect opportunity to do that.”
For uphill travel, skiers use an alpine touring setup. On the ascent, adhesive climbing skins are attached to the bottom of the skis, and specialized bindings allow the heel of the boot to move freely, making the climb easy. At the top, skiers transition their gear, pulling off the skins and locking in their heels for the descent.
Snowboarders, meanwhile, use a splitboard — a snowboard that literally splits into two skis. Skins also are used for traction on the ascent, and at the top of the hike, the skis snap back into a single board and the bindings lock into a typical side-stance position.
I purchased my first splitboard several years back. And while I enjoy exploring the backcountry in the White Mountains, I’ve come to appreciate the ease and accessibility of uphill travel on resorts.
During a visit to Pats, I began the trek toward the summit from a slopeside parking lot marked specifically for uphillers, a convenient detail. The designated uphill route at Pats Peak — labeled with reflective signs and flagging — follows several green beginner trails, Blast to Zephyr to Backdraft, to the summit.
When the mountain is operating, skiers and riders can descend any trail. During non-operating hours, guests are required to travel up and down the same route. They also ask that recreationists wear a headlamp after dark for safety.
“We’ve had to kind of narrow the scope of it because of interactions with groomers, snowmaking equipment, and mountain personnel on the mountain. We had some near-misses,” Costello said. “It’s gaining so much popularity we’ve had to keep a little bit closer tabs on it.”
Despite these restrictions, Pats Peak is unique in allowing uphill travel outside of operating hours. They also permit friendly dogs on leashes as slopeside companions. One raced down the mellow terrain of Blast with its owner while I was on the uphill.
On this first ascent, I quickly sank into a meditative rhythm, each ski sliding forward in the creamy snow and my upper body stabilized by the placement of each pole, one after the other. After a weekend of wind and rain in the southern half of the state, the sunshine on my face made me smile.
From the parking lot, uphill skiers and riders can jump right onto the designated uphill route. Don't forget to read the uphill policy before hitting the slopes.
Jill Armstrong
Relatively easy
Although the incline of the ascent is relatively easy compared to other mountains, I found myself pausing at various spots to admire the cerulean blue of the sky or the calls of winter birds in the pines. Winding around a corner near the summit, I watched children cruising down the trail, hollering playfully after one another as they headed toward the base.
At the summit, I passed the ski patrol hut and found an open area with a picnic table where other uphillers gathered, pulling off their skins and applying warmer layers to trap the extra heat generated from the hike up.
After transitioning my own gear, I chatted briefly with uphill passholder Kate Daniel of Medford, Mass. Daniel likes visiting Pats because it’s a doable drive and a reasonable size for sneaking in multiple laps.
Uphill travel enables Daniel to enjoy more of the day. “It’s just more satisfying. You know, the ‘earn your turns’ phrase. It’s cliché, but it’s true. It feels really good to get out and move our bodies.”
Several times, I ran into a group from Massachusetts whose excitement was palpable. While some were new to both Pats Peak and uphill travel, they all seemed enthusiastic to be out on such a pristine winter day.
One, Connor Smith of Salem, Mass., travels to the mountain once a week for uphill travel only. “This is like a great place to train for backcountry travel and get ready for the long season,” he said.
A companion of Smith’s, Cayla Lesher of Reading, Mass., was visiting Pats for the first time. “I lwove the idea of being able to do it after work. It just seems like a nice way to decompress,” she said. “And I feel like it’s just a little more peaceful than dealing with the lines because you’re always in motion.”
An uphill season’s pass at Pats Peak costs $49, which supports snowmaking and grooming operations. For more information about the uphill policy, visit patspeak.com.
