Henniker, New Hampshire — The first place I ever skied will be installing its first quad chairlift this summer.
Yesterday, Pats Peak announced that they will be replacing the Hurricane Triple Chair with a fixed-grip quad chairlift. The Borvig chairlift, which was installed back in 1977, will be retired in March.
According to New England Ski Industry, the new quad chairlift will be supplied from SkyTrac, but will also feature parts from a former quad chairlift that operated at Lake Compounce amusement park in Connecticut. The chairlift will service beginner, intermediate, advanced, and expert terrain. The area around the base terminal will feature a redesigned queue to increase accessibility. Like the Peak Triple, the new Hurricane chairlift will feature a loading conveyer, which will help the chairlift move faster. The entry slope will also be gentler compared to the current chairlift, making loading easier. A raised unload area at the top terminal will give easier access to Cascade Basin, Twister, and the FIS Race trail.
“This new lift is an exciting step forward for Pats Peak,” said Kris Blomback, who’s the General Manager at Pats Peak. “We are dedicated to continuous improvements that enhance the skiing and riding experience for all of our guests, and we look forward to welcoming everyone to enjoy the benefits of this new quad next season.”
For those wondering about the old Hurricane chairs, the New Hampshire ski area does plan to sell them to the public. Charities and season passholders at Pats will get first dibs on the chairs, which cost $299.
Construction will be led by Pfister Mountain Services and Phoenix Excavation, both of which are local New Hampshire companies. The new chairlift is expected to open during the 2025-26 season.
Image Credits: Pats Peak