Pats Peak plans 2013-14 expansion: the new area planned at Pats Peak Ski Area in Henniker will be served by a triple chairlift.

Pats Peak, the Henniker ski area, has announced its plans for a big expansion to the east of the current runs, starting next winter.

The expansion will bring more than 20 acres of new terrain, served by a triple chairlift. The expansion is closer to Route 114, south of Henniker village.

"This is a completely new section of the mountain that has never been sided before and offers an easterly exposure," the company said in its official release. The main runs, like most New Hampshire ski areas, face north, to reduce melting.

The expansion will include one stretch of "glade skiing." or siding among trees, that is favored by expert skiers. Importantly, those glades will be served by snowmaking. Generally, glades depend on natural snow alone, which reduces the amount of time they can be open.

The ski area--which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year--was started by the four Patenaude brothers, who opened a ski area on a mountain owned by their father, Merle--building a lodge with lumber from trees cut on the mountain and hewn in the family sawmill.

It is owned by Wayne Patenaude, third of the four brothers, and his wife Sally of Hopkinton. --THE TELEGRAPH