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    New Hampshire, USA · Epic

    Wildcat Mountain

    225 acres, 48 runs in Pinkham Notch. Epic Pass access, spectacular Mount Washington views.

    Season 2025 - 2026
    Opens
    6 Dec 2025
    Closes
    5 Apr 2026
    Days open
    120
    Annual snow
    9ft
    The Overview
    MF
    Michael Fulton
    Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.

    Wildcat Mountain's summit reaches 4,059 feet, dropping 2,112 vertical feet to a base at 1,949 feet across 48 runs spread over 225 acres in Pinkham Notch, New Hampshire. Terrain splits 46 per cent intermediate, 33 per cent advanced and 21 per cent beginner, with no expert-rated runs, and average annual snowfall of roughly 103 inches. The resort carries Epic Pass affiliation. Five lifts, including one quad chair and three double chairs, serve the mountain alongside one surface lift.

    Wildcat Mountain is renowned for offering some of the most spectacular views in the Northeast, with the summit looking directly across Pinkham Notch to Mount Washington, the highest peak in the northeastern United States. This dramatic outlook, combined with the resort's considerable 2,112-foot vertical drop, gives Wildcat a genuinely scenic and challenging character among White Mountains resorts.

    The resort's founders, George Macomber, Brooks Dodge, Malcolm McLane and William 'Mack' Beal Jr, first envisioned Wildcat while sitting on Lunch Rocks in nearby Tuckerman Ravine during the 1950s, looking across Route 16 at a trail originally cut by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933. Macomber and Dodge had each raced on two US Olympic teams, McLane brought legal expertise, and Beal contributed experience in forestry, development and banking, a genuinely well-rounded founding team that opened Wildcat Mountain Ski Area in 1957.

    On 25 January 1958, Wildcat became the first ski area in North America to install a gondola lift, a landmark achievement in American lift technology. In 2019, Wildcat and its sister resort Attitash were purchased by Vail Resorts, bringing both mountains into the Epic Pass network. Adult daily tickets run from 89 to 139 US dollars.

    2,113ft
    Vertical
    48
    Runs
    225 acres
    Skiable
    9ft
    Annual snow
    Epic
    Pass
    The Terrain

    48 runs across 225 acres skiable

    Wildcat Mountain spreads 48 runs across 225 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 46%, with 10 beginner runs to find your feet and 16 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.

    Terrain split
    48
    runs
    48 runs across 4 grades
    Beginner10 runs · 21%
    Intermediate22 runs · 46%
    Advanced16 runs · 33%
    Expert0 runs · 0%
    Time it right

    When to visit Wildcat Mountain

    The 2025-26 season at Wildcat Mountain ran from 6 December 2025 to 5 April 2026, a roughly seventeen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 103 inches. Wildcat markets itself as offering one of the longest ski seasons in New Hampshire, aided by its considerable elevation and reliable natural snow.

    Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions to Wildcat's intermediate-and-advanced-weighted terrain, with spectacular views across Pinkham Notch to Mount Washington throughout. As an Epic Pass resort within the Vail Resorts network, Wildcat draws substantial visitation from Epic Pass holders alongside visitors specifically seeking its dramatic mountain scenery.

    The resort's genuinely challenging terrain profile, with no beginner-only easy option beyond its 21 per cent beginner share, tends to draw a more experienced skier base relative to some White Mountains competitors. School holiday periods bring some family visitation, though the mountain's character skews toward intermediate and advanced skiers seeking Mount Washington views. Weekend crowds draw heavily from the greater Boston and southern New England region.

    Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. Since Vail Resorts' 2019 acquisition alongside sister resort Attitash, Wildcat has continued operating as part of the Epic Pass network, building on nearly seven decades of history dating to its 1957 founding. The mountain's dramatic Pinkham Notch setting remains central to its seasonal appeal.

    Season 2025 - 2026
    6 Dec 2025
    Opens
    5 Apr 2026
    Closes
    120
    Days open
    9 ft
    Annual snow
    Getting there

    Getting to Wildcat Mountain, and where to stay

    Wildcat Mountain sits in Pinkham Notch, New Hampshire, directly across from Mount Washington, with a base elevation of 1,949 feet and a summit at 4,059 feet across a 2,112-foot vertical drop over 225 acres. This dramatic setting gives Wildcat some of the most spectacular mountain views in the Northeast.

    Jackson and North Conway, both within a reasonable drive, offer the nearest substantial lodging, dining and services, with the broader Mount Washington Valley region surrounding the resort. Pinkham Notch itself, part of the White Mountain National Forest, offers extensive additional hiking and outdoor recreation immediately adjacent to the ski area.

    New Hampshire State Route 16 runs directly past the resort through Pinkham Notch, providing straightforward access from both the north and south. Winter driving conditions through the notch can include snow and ice, particularly given the area's elevation and exposure, though the well-travelled route is regularly maintained. There is no direct public transport service to the mountain.

    Specific nearest commercial airport details are not confirmed in available resort information, though Wildcat's White Mountains location keeps it within a reasonable drive of the greater Boston metropolitan area's major airports for visitors travelling from further afield.

    Where to stay

    Search all stays →

    Hotels and lodges near Wildcat Mountain, powered by Stay22.

    Latest News

    From the SnowStash desk

    View all news →
    FIS Weighs Holding World Championships in Almost Every Winter, Starting 2032

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    4 Sept 2026
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    4 Sept 2026
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    2 Sept 2026
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    1 Sept 2026
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    31 Aug 2026
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    26 Aug 2026

    Wildcat Mountain Lift Tickets

    Wildcat Mountain lift tickets & passes

    The 2025 - 2026 season at Wildcat Mountain closed on Apr 5, 2026. Check back for next season's opening date and ticket pricing.

    Day passes start from US$69, with peak rates up to US$139.

    Epic5 pass options
    Buy passes ↗

    Single-day passes

    Adult 18–64

    Adult Daily Ticket

    US$89up to US$139 peak

    Experience Wildcat Mountain's spectacular views of Mount Washington and challenging terrain in dramatic Pinkham Notch. This Epic Pass resort offers expert terrain, stunning Presidential Range vistas, and authentic New England skiing character in the White Mountains.

    Buy pass
    Youth 13–17

    Youth Daily Ticket

    US$79up to US$119 peak

    Youth lift tickets at Wildcat Mountain provide access to challenging Epic Pass resort terrain with spectacular Mount Washington views. Perfect for young skiers and riders ready for advanced terrain in dramatic Pinkham Notch setting.

    Buy pass
    Child 6–12

    Child Daily Ticket

    US$69up to US$99 peak

    Children's lift tickets at Wildcat Mountain offer access to Epic Pass resort with stunning Mount Washington views. While known for challenging terrain, Wildcat also provides terrain suitable for developing skiers in spectacular White Mountain scenery.

    Buy pass

    Season passes

    Adult 13–99

    Epic Pass

    US$979up to US$1,079 peak

    Wildcat Mountain Epic Pass provides unlimited access to Wildcat plus 40+ Epic resorts worldwide including Vail, Whistler, and European destinations. Includes 20% off food, lodging, lessons, and rentals at all Epic resorts with no blackout dates.

    Buy pass
    Adult 13–99

    Epic Local Pass

    US$719up to US$819 peak

    Wildcat Mountain Epic Local Pass offers unlimited access to Wildcat plus 30+ Epic resorts with some holiday restrictions. Perfect for New England skiers wanting multi-resort access including other Epic destinations and challenging terrain.

    Buy pass

    Lift tickets FAQ

    How much does a Wildcat Mountain day pass cost?+
    Wildcat Mountain day passes range from US$69 to US$139 depending on the date and advance booking.
    Can I buy Wildcat Mountain lift tickets online?+
    Yes, you can purchase tickets directly from the resort website or at the resort ticket office.
    Are there discounts for multi-day passes?+
    Yes, multi-day packages typically offer significant savings compared to individual day passes. The per-day cost decreases with longer stays.
    What is included with a Wildcat Mountain lift ticket?+
    Full access to all lifts and trails at Wildcat Mountain, including mountain safety and patrol services.
    What is the difference between Wildcat Mountain lift tickets and ski passes?+
    "Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at Wildcat Mountain - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
    When should I buy Wildcat Mountain lift tickets for the best price?+
    Purchase tickets at least 7 days in advance for the best rates, and consider weekday visits for further savings over weekend rates.
    Does Wildcat Mountain offer group discounts on lift tickets?+
    Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact Wildcat Mountain directly for group booking information and rates.
    How can I check current conditions before buying tickets?+
    Before purchasing, check the live snow report and mountain webcams to see current weather, snow conditions, and lift operations at Wildcat Mountain.

    More Wildcat Mountain intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.