After what was a frantic 2022 offseason, Gunstock bounced back. Back in 2022, a drama-filled summer caused by rogue members of the Gunstock Area Commission led the ski resort’s leadership team to resign. The Commissioners eventually resigned after locals protested, and the leadership team returned. Things have since gone back to normal, and now they’re working towards a bright future.
This offseason, the New Hampshire ski resort is working on various infrastructure upgrades, which include a new rental building, the renovation of the Stockade Lodge, the expansion of the Panorama Pub, and a paved parking lot.
New Rental Building & Tuning Shop: Back in June, Gunstock broke ground on their new rental building. The 67×24 foot facility, which is located next to the current rental building, will create an easier process for beginners to grab their gear. The new facility allows guests to be steps away from Gunstock’s learning center.
In the photo below, the existing rental building is on the bottom left. Guests will start by checking in at the existing rental building and signing the necessary paperwork. Guests will then go up the staircase. On the top left portion will be the area where guests pick up their boots and helmets, while the building on the top right will be where guests pick up their skis and boards.
In the basement of the new building will be a tuning shop, which will drastically grow Gunstock’s tuning capacity and customizability.
Renovation of the Stockade Lodge: The underutilized lodge will be adding a new full-service sit-down restaurant with ski-in/out access. In addition, a double-sided stone fireplace will allow people to warm up on the inside and outside. On the outside, an upgraded deck will allow for year-round seating, and two furr posts will give a lodge a more refined look. A full wrap-around deck will be added to the lodge after the 2023-24 season. Prior to these changes, the lodge only had a small food court with limited seating, so these additions will make the Stockade experience much better.
Panorama Pub Expansion: Located at Gunstock’s summit is the Panorama Pub, which features tremendous views of the famous Lake Winnipesaukee. The lodge will be getting a 16×30 foot addition, allowing for a larger seating capacity. Thanks to the increased space, along with a new plumbing system from the summit’s well, a more extensive food and beverage menu will be added.
Paved & Regraded Main Parking Lot: Ski resort parking lots that aren’t paved can become an off-road experience. Gunstock has decided to pave its main parking lot in order to maximize the utilization of its parking spaces. Some of the parking spaces will be level with the Panorama chairlift, which services the summit. In addition, three to four rows of night lighting will be added for improved visibility. Paving is set to take place in the coming months.
These additions set the stage for the implementation of Gunstock’s master plan. Announced back in 2021, the proposals call for terrain expansion, new lifts, a mountain road up to the summit, and overnight lodging. We’ll see if these plans come to life, but the future is definitely bright at Gunstock.
Image Credits: Gunstock Mountain Resort
