Nearest city Laconia, New Hampshire Top elevation 2,267 feet (691 m) Phone +1 603-293-4341 | Vertical 1,400 feet (430 m) Base elevation 867 feet (264 m) | |
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Location Gilford, New Hampshire, USA Runs 55
12% Novice
61% Intermediate
27% Expert Address 719 Cherry Valley Rd, Gilford, NH 03249, USA Profiles | ||
The mountain report gunstock mountain resort
Gunstock Mountain Resort, originally known as Belknap Mountain Recreation Area, is a sports complex located on Gunstock Mountain in Gilford, New Hampshire. Constructed by the Works Progress Administration, it was completed in 1937 and is owned by Belknap County. Activities include alpine and cross-country skiing, snow tubing, ski jumping, snowshoeing, hiking, swimming, and skateboarding.
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History
Originally known as Belknap Mountain Recreation Area, Gunstock Mountain Resort was built by the Works Progress Administration, a New Deal agency that provided employment and created public works projects throughout the United States during the Great Depression. Hussey Manufacturing Company of North Berwick, Maine, led hundreds of previously unemployed laborers in the development of the recreation area, which transformed the economy of the region. The resort had the first chairlift in the eastern United States. After the completion of the 60-meter ski jump, the first meet was held in February 1937.
The original Gunstock chairlift development was located on Mount Rowe. This single-chairlift-serviced ski area was eventually phased out when two double chairlifts were installed to the Gunstock Mountain summit. Some of the old trails are still visible today.
In keeping with the gun theme, most of the trails are named for guns (i.e. Pistol, Musket, and Flintlock) or gun parts (i.e. Ramrod and Trigger).
Gunstock underwent a significant capital improvement plan in the 1980s with the installation of the Tiger Triple, the Summit Triple (replacing the two summit double chairlifts), and the Ramrod Quad.
In 2003 a high speed detachable quad chairlift was installed to the summit. The Summit Triple chairlift was moved, replacing the Pistol Double Chairlift.
Night skiing
Gunstock features night skiing on its lower mountain slopes. The detachable quad and the upper mountain trails are not lit.
Snow tubing is also available on certain nights.
Summer 2009 expansion
In the summer of 2009 Gunstock underwent a $4 million expansion effort to make the mountain more family friendly and easier for learners. The biggest project was the installation of a new fixed-grip, 1,207-foot-long (368 m) quad chairlift placed near the Gunshy Double Chairlift. This chairlift now has access to the new beginner friendly complex that was constructed as part of the expansion effort. There are four new trails, and existing trails were lengthened and made wider. In addition, the mountain expanded their snow-making capabilities by 66% over the entire mountain.
At the Pistol complex side of the mountain, two trails gained snow-making capabilities. The Blundersmoke Terrain Park received new permanent snow guns, and the Side Arm trail was widened by over 50 feet (15 m). A new glades trail named "Parallax Glades" was cut between Out of Sight and Side Arm.