On March 21, the Gunstock Area Commission voted to move forward with a capital expense plan for FY 2024/2025 as presented to the board by Gunstock Mountain Resort. The GAC is a five-member board appointed by the Belknap County Delegation with the responsibility of managing Gunstock Mountain Resort as a financially independent, self-sustaining organization.

The $4.8 million capital expense plan presented includes $1.6 million for snowmaking expansion on the mountain, widening one trail, and extending and reconfiguring another. Additional plans include the expansion of a deck for outdoor dining at the Stockade Lodge, and a new Campground and Nordic Skiing Welcome Center.

“While skier visits were down this season, we felt little impact,” said Gunstock President and General Manager Tom Day. “We continue to create an overall better experience for day visitors and season passholders through capital expense plans. With this year’s improvements, Gunstock will have reinvested $17 million over a five-year period.”

Upper Ramrod is the alpine trail scheduled for redesign. The trail will be extended to run parallel to the Panorama lift and intersect with Middle Trigger. Derringer, a popular trail with intermediate skiers and riders descending the mountain, will be widened to better accommodate skier flow.

Snowmaking will be installed on two trails that have relied on natural snowfall to be accessible to skiers and riders. Snowmaking on Upper Ramrod and Hot Shot will include installation of 12,500 feet of snowmaking pipe and 70 energy-efficient HKD Impulse tower guns that provide high production, energy-efficient output of quality snow through a wide range of temperatures. 

In Gunstock’s base area, an extended deck on the Stockade Lodge that houses Gunstock’s new Barrell Bar & Grille will provide outdoor seating for guests visiting during the warm-weather months. Gunstock plans to move its summer public dining from The Patio, located adjacent to the Historic Lodge, to Barrel Bar & Grille – offering air-conditioned indoor dining and expansive views of the mountain and surroundings outdoors. The Patio will become a venue for group gatherings and weddings that would like to include an outdoor food-and-beverage element.

At Gunstock’s Campground and Nordic Ski check-in, located on the resort access road, a new welcome center will offer guests a better arrival experience in summer and winter. The new $1 million structure will provide visitors with modern facilities, a spacious check-in lobby and expanded retail space for equipment, clothing, provisions and sundries.

Follow along on Gunstock’s social media channels to see the progress as it happens.