‘Stock rising: 18 months after a tumultuous summer, Gunstock’s capital is only improving

It was a busy offseason for capital projects at Gunstock. (Gunstock)

Gunstock Mountain Resort entered last season coming off a turbulent summer that had the potential to shutter the entire operation. Day-to-day managers, led by general manager Tom Day, briefly resigned and vowed not to return until two members of the Gunstock Area Commission — the five-member board appointed by the Belknap County Delegation to manage the county-owned operation — resigned.

The effects of the nearly two-week shutdown could have bled over into the winter, but instead, Gunstock set a record for the number of skier visits for a second year in a row. One year after all the drama, the New Hampshire ski area spent this summer investing in the mountain, and it is putting the final touches on an offseason that included more than $6.5 million in capital improvements.

“A couple of weeks ago, we must have had a dozen different contractors working on different projects. It’s been very busy and very exciting,” Gunstock marketing director Bonnie MacPherson said.

The first of the improvements will be noticed before you even get out of the car, as the main parking lot has been paved, lined and lighted. For the first time, electric vehicles drivers will be able to charge their ride while charging down the slopes thanks to the installation of 10 charging stations.

Other projects were meant to streamline operations and get visitors onto the trails more quickly. A new building was constructed in the base area that combines rentals and ski school. “It was one of our pinch points,” MacPherson said of the rental process. “So, we’ve got a whole new building and we’ve really refined the rental system, where people will exit right into the learning center, where their lessons meet.”

Three ticketing kiosks will make acquiring RFID cards a quicker process. The Stockade Lodge in the base area received some upgrades and has been changed from a grab-and-go cafeteria to a full-service restaurant that will have an 18-seat U-shaped bar.

“It’s easy in and out and close to two of our most popular lifts,” MacPherson said. “It’s going to be a great spot for après ski and to pop in for a beverage or a bite to eat during night skiing.”

Guests definitely will notice the 16-by-30 foot expansion, additional seating and expanded menu at the Panorama Pub at the summit. What they won’t see is the new septic system and new water source that helped make it all happen.

Gunstock offers night skiing and tubing on 22 of its 49 trails, Tuesday through Saturday. Guests should notice better visibility after a project to upgrade the lighting was completed.

Something to keep in mind when visiting: While the day session ends at 4 p.m., night tickets begin at 3 p.m., giving all-mountain access for an hour.

As for the snow underfoot, Gunstock added 40 HKD Impulse tower guns, which are better at making snow at marginal temperatures. Other improvements include a new maintenance building with lifts for servicing groomers. A groomer equipped with a dump body joined the fleet. It is expected that it will help spread manmade snow on the cross country trails, in addition to the downhill trails (previously, they would pile the snow into a manure spreader and take it onto the cross-country trails). While jury-rigged options like that often worked, they also required more maintenance.

“We’re on a great trajectory right now. Because we had such a strong season last year, it gave us the capital to really invest in the mountain,” MacPherson said. “We’re already creating a list for next year in hopes of being able to (upgrade) some more going forward.

“The Gunstock Area Commission is more supportive now than it’s ever been. We’re really excited to be working with the commissioners, and they’re just so supportive and really celebrating what we’ve been doing and supportive of what we’re going to be doing for the year ahead.”

Despite not being on a mega-pass, the Gilford, N.H., area with 1,340 vertical feet that offers fantastic views of Lake Winnipesaukee continues to draw skiers. The weekend/holiday lift ticket is $104 for an adult and $79 for those ages 6-22 and in their 60s.

“I think people now, they have a quiver of pass products,” MacPherson said. “I’d like to think that Gunstock is the home mountain for the Seacoast, the North Shore (of Massachusetts). Most of our skiers and riders are coming from about an hour away, so we make it handy for them and make it easy and we make it their home mountain.

“What they get to look forward to is the lift lines aren’t going to be like what they’re going to experience at other resorts and the slopes aren’t as crowded. Because of our limits on how many tickets we sell each day, you can get in and out of a cafeteria, you can get a seat at a restaurant. It’s a better experience on the mountain.”