Gunstock is like the Lake Tahoe of the East. You ski from the panoramic
summit with magnificent scenery of snowy white mountains and a grand lake below.
It’s no Heavenly, but the views of Mount Washington and Lake Winnipesaukee are
divine. And what’s not to love about six-minute laps on the base to summit
Panorama Quad to ski the entire 1,400 vertical?
Gunstock started in 1937 with the first chairlift in New England, only the second in the country following Sun Valley Idaho in 1936, as part of President Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration. Also built at the time, the first ski jump and the alpine-style base lodge that still hosts skiers today.
Don’t be gun shy to
take you family to Gunstock, it’s easy to get to, the terrain is ego
pleasing, nothing very steep but ever turn is super scenic. Kids
will be amped for all 55 ammo laden trail names - like Trigger,
Gunsmoke, and Pistol, plus
there
is a designated Blundersmoke Terrain Park with big hits. Sauntering
scenic trails like Flintlock feature perfect white cord, but there
area few gritty runs, Hot Shot and Redhat plus recently added glades
- Gunsmoke, Recoil and Birch Glades to charge your pulse.
Après
ski at the Powder Keg Pub is lively in the grand ole base lodge,
while your kids night ski on 27 trails or snow tube, half the
mountain is lit up for fun.
Gunstock Ski Area (previously Belknap Mountain) has come a long way, to eight
lifts and 55 trails, from that 1937 original single-chair that
served four trails, though it is still uniquely county owned and
operated. The Lakes Region ski resort also offers an Aerial Treetop Adventure
-
the largest high ropes
course in New England, and Gunstock Zip Line featuring the longest
zip span in the US at 3,981' and a total descent of 24
football fields - 8,591' open year round.
Gunstock’s high speed
Panorama Quad to 2,300-feet is far more swift and social than
that old single chair. What hasn’t changed in the
history of Gunstock skiing since the 1930’s is the families of
skiers that gather at Gunstock on winter days and now nights to make their
turns, chat with fellow skiers, take in the fresh air and views of the lake, and
have some fall-line fun. Ski lodging near Gunstock includes your choice of
condos, motels and inns on Lake Winnipesaukee or nearby towns of
Gilford, Meredith or Wolfeboro, but Gunstock is also an easy day
trip from Boston.
Gunstock Stats: Read our Gunstock Reviews:
Located on Route 11A, Gilford
603-293-4341, 1-800-GUNSTOCK
Vertical Drop: 1,400’
Skiable Terrain: 227 Acres
8 Lifts, 55 Trails; Night skiing on 5 Lifts and 21 Trails
90% snowmaking
Gunstock's Zip Line Review
NH's Gunstock Rocks in its 70's
History of Gunstock Skiing
