Gilford, New Hampshire — Gunstock Mountain Resort had a pretty solid season.
The New Hampshire ski resorts made various improvements before the 2024-25 season, including adding snowmaking to trails that previously relied on natural snow, redesigning a trail to remove a runout, begin the build of a welcome center, and adding a deck at the Stockade Lodge. Colder weather than the past few winters, along with a decent amount of snowfall in January and February, led to increased visitation and happy guests. To continue this positive momentum, Gunstock is planning to have a busy offseason.
After the conclusion of the 2024-25 season on April 6th, new General Manager Robert Drake detailed how their winter went, and what improvements are planned this offseason, in a blog post. The New Hampshire ski resort plans to spend more than $9.5 million over the next few years on various projects, with over $3 million going towards lifts.
The key lift project will be the Panorama chairlift, which services the summit at Gunstock. The two-year process will result in a massive refurbishment for the chairlift. Gunstock’s first project is replacing the communications line, which will occur this spring. This fall, they’ll upgrade the computerized chair spacing system, which was the reason for one of its temporary closures this season. After that, they’ll refurbish other parts of the lift, and add new lift shacks that will house key lift components and shelter workers from the elements.
Other lift upgrades are also planned for the Tiger, Pistol, and Ramrod chairlifts. This summer, they’re planning to replace the gearbox at Pistol, and add a new haul rope to the Ramrod chairlift. Other projects being considered this summer include replacing the drives of the Tiger, Pistol, and Ramrod chairlifts.
Over the next few years, $2.5 million will be allocated for snowmaking and grooming equipment, and over $4 million will be spent on the ski resort’s infrastructure. A big investment will be improving the ski resort’s electrical system, with an inspection planned for this offseason. If needed, the electrical systems will be upgraded.
While this means that no new lifts aren’t likely coming in the next few years, it also means that Gunstock is making sure that their lifts will be more reliable. It also means that they’re planning to keep modernizing the mountain in the years ahead.
Things don’t slow down at Gunstock in the offseason, as the ski resort is home to various activities. This includes zipline tours, a mountain coaster, aerial adventure tours, hiking trails, and a campground. A new welcome center is currently nearing completion, which will serve guests at the campground in the summer and the Nordic skiers in the winter.
Image Credits: Gunstock Mountain Resort
