Thompson Brook at Wildcat Mountain
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Wildcat was one of the largest and most visited ski areas in the State of New Hampshire. While other main areas had T-Bars and double chairlifts, Wildcat sported a gondola and was constructing triple chairlifts. Following the construction of a new lodge and the addition of snowmaking, an effort was put forth to expand the skiable terrain at the area.
In the late 1970s, the United States Forest Service agreed to expand Wildcat's special use permit area northward beyond the Polecat trail into the Thompson Brook drainage.
A decade later, the expansion was slated for 5 years after the replacement of the summit gondola. While the lift was replaced in 1997 with the Wildcat Express Quad, the Thompson Brook area has yet to be officially proposed
According to Forest Service documents, the proposed area would include a new base lodge and would "increase its visibility to travelers on the highway." From the new lodge, a new lift would be constructed to a point about three quarters of the way to the summit.
25 to 30 acres of trails would be added, covered by snowmaking. Half of the new terrain would be rated expert.
At present, the Thompson Brook area remains backcountry terrain.
1980s United States Forest Service Expansion Map
The Thompson Brook area as seen from Mt. Madison (2009)
Last updated: June 2, 2017
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