SAM Magazine-Wildwood, Mo., Oct. 21, 2010-Peak Resorts has entered into a purchase agreement to acquire all Wildcat Mountain Ski Area assets and attractions in Pinkham Notch, N.H., from longtime owner Pat Franchi, pending approval by the U.S. Forest Service. Adding to its portfolio of resorts located in six U.S. states, including Attitash and Crotched Mountain, N.H., and Mount Snow, Vt., Wildcat will become the 12th ski resort currently owned and operated by Peak Resorts.

"Wildcat Mountain is a legendary ski resort known to many in the industry and it has a lot of history," said Peak Resorts CEO Tim Boyd. "It offers a unique, year-round experience in a one-of-a-kind location, and there are opportunities for growth and improvement over the long term that we can consider and are familiar with delivering at all of our resorts."

Peaks plans to offer combination ticket and season's passes for Wildcat and Peak sister area Attitash, also in the Mount Washington Valley. "There is much to be gained in ticket and season pass products that are valid at both Attitash Mountain Resort and Wildcat Mountain," said Peak Resorts vice president Kent Graham. "Visitors to our valley and locals alike will now be able to gain greater value and access to the best of each resort's defining attributes and distinctive qualities."

Graham also said that Peak Resorts will replace old snow gun technology at Wildcat Mountain with more productive and energy efficient snowmaking equipment, as well as upgrade and expand the snow grooming fleet this season.

Peak Resorts currently owns and operates Mount Snow, Attitash and Crotched; Mad River Mountain, Boston Mills and Brandywine, Ohio; Hidden Valley and Snow Creek, Mo., Jack Frost and Big Boulder, Pa.; and Paoli Peaks, Ind.