| Name | Gunstock Mountain Resort |
| Address | 719 Cherry Valley RoadGilford, NH 03249 |
| Brief Description | New Hampshire 4 Season Playground |
| Type | Activity |
| Category | Skiing |
| Description | Introduction
Gunstock Mountain Resort is one of the longest established ski areas in the US, opening in 1937, it boasted the second chairlift operating in North America. Today the resort’s lift system and other amenities are rather definitely hi-tech, with the recent installation of the Panoramo High Speed quad that gives you access to 1400 vertical feet of skiing in 6 minutes. The resort is still a family favorite as it has been for generations. Gunstock also offers the only money back guarantee in the North Country.
Gunstock's recently expanded ski terrain is backed by aggressive grooming techniques tending the slopes day and night to give it that perfect corduroy finish. As you ski, the views of Lake Winnipesaukee are of the best in the state.
Gunstock wasn't always about snow, lights, lifts and action. It took the vision of the Belknap County Legislators in 1935 to propose the "Belknap Mountain Recreation Area." On the heels of the Great Depression, Belknap Mountain was born of the WPA's (Works Progress Administration) New Deal program created during President Roosevelt's administration.
The project took three years to complete and employed 300 local workers. Amenities included ski trails, a single chairlift, rope tows, cross country trails, toboggan runs, sliding hills and a ski jumping complex. The resort is still under the ownership of Belknap County to this day.
Skiing
Gunstock Mountain offers 51 trails accessed directly by high speed quad from base to summit. There’s night skiing on 17 trails and 80% snowmaking coverage.
Beginners will particularly enjoy the attentive staff, relaxed atmosphere and special ski school programmes to get them started including the award winning Mountain Magic first-timers program. The Learning Canter Beginner Area is serviced by a magic carpet, and more than likely your first chairlift ride will be up Gunshy – a double chair serving a small area of easy terrain away from the main mountain skiing.
The vast majority of the mountain terrain is graded intermediate to advanced intermediate with long trails to make those carves as you sweep down through the trees from the top of the Summit quad.
Experts have 27% of the terrain graded to them, and that includes more than half a dozen black diamond trails including Hotshot down below the upper section of the summit chair and Cannonball, over to the right. There are double black diamond glades next to Hotshot.
If you fancy adding to your skiing talents then there are race camps and Telemark ski courses.
You can stop by the Fischer Adventure Demo Center housed in a yurt to try out gear before you buy. There’s also a free ski and snowboard check to keep your equipment safe.
The Cross Country & Snowshoe Center is a full service retail, rental and lesson facility. Gunstock's 50 kilometers of trail network offers a variety for all skate, track set or backcountry skiing or snowshoeing abilities.
Boarding
For freestyling boarders and skiers the mountain offers two terrain parks serviced by their own lift.
The Gunstock Freestyle Academy offers Freestyle Ski or Snowboard camp sessions where you can learn to ride the Park and the Pipe with some of the best freestyle riders in the Lakes Region. These coaches design, build, and maintain the Gunstock Park, giving them home court advantage.
Après
Après ski at Gunstock is centred on The Powder Keg Lounge and the Cantina in the Main Lodge.
Once the ski area is quiet there are dozens of bars and night spots within a 10 mile radius to explore.
Of course there’s still tubing, night skiing and snow shoeing available Tuesday through Saturday nights.
For example The Margate on Winnipesaukee, seven miles away, has a lounge and Cour |
| Phone 1 | (603) 293-4341 |
| Email | guestservices@gunstock.com |
| Handicapped Accessible | Yes |
| Website | www.gunstock.com |
| Social Links |   |
| Local Visitor Bureau | www.lakesregion.org |
| Last Updated | 7/23/2011 |
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