Skiers and riders navigating I-93 in New Hampshire often blow right off the Lake Winnipesaukee region, heeding Loon’s call or the slopes of Cannon Mountain without a second thought at Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford. Stop in the parking lot and you can see why Gunstock is often overlooked: At first glance, the slopes seem disappointing, more hill than mountain.
But it’s not for nothing that Gunstock has survived for an incredible 80 years (skiers cut the first trails here in 1937), and first looks can be deceptive.
The pros of skiing and horse riding in Gunstock
- The best views of any ski resort in New England
- Very close to Boston and southern New England
- Good variety of trails from the summit, including clearings accessible to intermediate skiers
- Excellent Blundersmoke Terrain Park for guests, New Hampshire’s largest night park
- Extensive night skiing from Tuesday to Saturday
The downsides of Gunstock
- Average ski area restaurant options
- No “ski town” atmosphere
- Just a high speed chairlift
Gunstock Mountain Review: Go For The Views
At 1,400 feet of vertical and the third longest chairlift in the East, Gunstock is much bigger than it looks.
The high-speed Panorama Quad elevator takes you to the summit, and when you exit the elevator hill, you will be amazed not only by the crafty elevation gain but also by the incredible (and yes, panoramic) views of Lake Winnipesaukee. Gunstock ski trails undulate over a stepped drop line that allows for long enjoyable cruising runs, but also provides some moderate slopes and at least some very entertaining and minimally prepared mid-mountain kick called Hot Shot – A Diamond Trail black that is narrow and twisted, steep and often icy …
Some might say classic New England skiing at its best.
Most ski resorts claim they offer something for everyone – what’s great about Gunstock is that the design provides recreational snowboarders, runners, and skiers and sliders, each a place they can call their own. The left side of the area is home to Blundersmoke Terrain Park, one of three parks where guests can test their skills against a truly impressive variety of jumps, hits, rails, and halfpipe.
Ski runners generally turn to the right of the summit elevation to speed up slalom friendly trails like Flintlock to the Flats and Stonebar, while the middle of the mountain offers intermediates the moderate challenge of Gunsmoke and beginners the opportunity. to test your skills on lower and wider mountain trails. like Smith, Phelps and Ricochet.
Beginners also have their own place to learn, and non-skiers can enjoy the combination of speed and snow at Gunstock’s five-channel tube park. Intermediates, who look enviously at the more advanced skiers leaving the main trails and into the woods, will also enjoy Gunstock – Parallex glades connect the green and blue trails and provide a relatively open and easygoing introduction to skiing between the trees.
The dining options are pretty average (your typical ski cabin fare served in a trio of unassuming cafes), but the Powder Keg restaurant offers good after-ski drinks and bar food in a warm setting, including a small but sunny.
The details
Gunstock Mountain Resort is located at 719 Cherry Valley Road in Gilford, NH. Call 603-293-4341 for information.
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