Pats Peak Mourns Passing Of Patriarch, Wayne Patenaude

Wayne Patenaude passed away peacefully at his home on December 4th after a period of declining health. He was 87 years old.

Wayne Patenaude, who helped establish Pats Peak and guided it as a family‑owned ski area for generations, has died, the family’s obituary notice and local reporting confirmed. The news prompted an outpouring of memories from the New Hampshire skiing community and local residents who credited Patenaude with creating a welcoming, family‑oriented resort that introduced thousands to skiing and snowboarding.

Patenaude was a central figure in the development and long‑term operation of Pats Peak, a hill that grew from modest beginnings into a busy regional destination known for its accessible terrain and community focus. Under his stewardship the resort remained family‑owned and operated, with multiple generations of the Patenaude family continuing to work at the mountain — a fact frequently noted in local coverage of the area’s ski culture.

Wayne had a passion for building businesses, and Pats Peak was one of the many he was involved with. Originally built in 1962 with his three brothers, Pats Peak recently celebrated its 62nd year of operation. One of his many mantras over the years was that “it needed to be the best.” He proved that time and time again with his aggressive investments in Pats Peak to make it the premier learn-to-ski mountain in New Hampshire.

He was innovative in snowmaking and business ventures, savvy like a good Yankee, and never met a technology he didn’t embrace. Pats Peak stands tall in the ski business as one of the last surviving independently owned ski areas in New England. The stewardship of the Patenaude family has allowed Pats Peak to thrive.

Local officials, longtime employees and regular visitors expressed sadness at the news and praised Patenaude’s commitment to keeping the resort rooted in family values. Industry publications also acknowledged his passing, listing him among notable figures in the Northeast ski industry and highlighting the role Pats Peak has played in sustaining grassroots winter sports participation in New England.

The family’s obituary posted through the Cremation Society of New Hampshire and a public notice on Legacy confirmed the death and asked for privacy as they make arrangements; at the time of publication the family had opted not to release detailed service information publicly. Local media coverage noted that the Patenaude family remains actively involved in the resort’s operations and that Pats Peak will continue under family management as it moves forwardConcord Monitor.

Patenaude’s legacy is tied to the mountain’s identity as a community hub — a place where generations learned to ski, worked seasonal jobs, and supported local businesses. Observers said the resort’s continued family ownership and the presence of Patenaude’s descendants in daily operations are likely to shape how Pats Peak honors his memory and maintains the values he championed.

Pats Peak’s management and local leaders are expected to release further statements about memorial plans and any tributes at the resort in the coming days. For many in the region, Wayne Patenaude’s passing marks the end of an era for a small but influential ski area whose impact extended well beyond its slopes