Mountain Review: Gunstock
MOUNTAIN SCORE
CATEGORY BREAKDOWN
See our criteria4
Snow:
5
Resiliency:
2
Size:
3
Terrain Diversity:
3
Challenge:
6
Lifts:
7
Crowd Flow:
6
Facilities:
7
Navigation:
5
Mountain Aesthetic:
GOOD TO KNOW
1-Day Ticket: $65-$105
Pass Affiliation: None
On-site Lodging: No
Après-ski: Limited
Nearest Cities: Boston (2 hrs)
Recommended Ability Level:
+ Pros
Stunning lake views
Local feel
Close drive from Boston
– Cons
No on-site lodging
Modest footprint
Limited marked beginner terrain
MOUNTAIN STATS
Lifts: 8
Trails: 49
Beginner: 15%
Intermediate: 52%
Advanced/Expert: 33%
Mountain Review
Gunstock’s convenient location, extensive snowmaking, and large night-skiing operation make it an appealing alternative to the larger resorts farther north. For skiers coming from Boston or southern New England, it offers significant time and cost savings without giving up too much in terms of reliable coverage. However, potential visitors should note a couple of drawbacks that come with the convenience.
Views of Lake Winnipesaukee make skiing or riding at Gunstock a surprisingly pretty experience.
Mountain Aesthetic
Gunstock especially stands out for its lake views. The resort offers sweeping views of Lake Winnipesaukee, which are visible from the summit and from many trails across the mountain. The deep-blue lake dominates the landscape below, creating a striking contrast between the open water and the surrounding foothills, especially on clear days. The approach to the resort is also quite scenic and uncommercialized, passing through the Lakes Region with rolling hills and small towns along the way.
Size and Terrain Layout
Gunstock sits at a summit elevation of 2,240 feet with a vertical drop of approximately 1,300 feet. The resort offers around 227 acres of skiable terrain, including glades, which is smaller than mountains further north in the state but on par with other south-central competitors.
Gunstock’s 49 trails are arranged in a straightforward layout anchored by the Panorama Express, the mountain’s only high-speed lift, which reaches the summit in roughly five minutes. From the top, trails are typically divided into upper, middle, and lower sections, and some routes change in difficulty mid-mountain. There are effectively five distinct ways down: two continuous blue runs (Gunsmoke and Flintlock) and three that involve at least one black section (Recoil, Trigger/Ramrod, and Hot Shot). Recoil stands out for its variety and sustained pitch. Three of the five glades begin from the summit, though glade coverage is entirely natural and open only when snowpack allows.
Gunstock’s 227-acre footprint is on par with other south-central New Hampshire ski resorts but smaller than resorts further north in the state.
On the east side, the Pistol triple chair serves its own pod with a mix of park and tree skiing. Blundersmoke hosts the resort’s largest terrain park, while Sidearm offers a beginner park. The lift is slow but rarely crowded, and the area features two additional glades and Out of Sight, a narrow, winding trail frequently set up for ski-cross. Returning to the base requires crossing a small uphill section that snowboarders may need to push over, but strong momentum makes it manageable. Gunsmoke from the summit provides partial access into this zone.
West of Panorama lies Ramrod and Tiger, which together make up roughly a third of the resort’s terrain and are served by one fixed quad and one triple. These trails are the center of Gunstock’s racing scene and range from rolling blues to steeper black runs. Tiger accesses some of the resort’s steepest terrain, and sections are sometimes left ungroomed to create bump lines. Flintlock to Stonebar, the longest run on the mountain, wraps around this sector. Red Hat is a local favorite for its flow and pitch.
The final resort area is Penny Pitou, named after Gunstock’s most famous Olympic skier. This beginner area takes up a large amount of the flat base area and a small slope on the far-northwest side of the resort. It is serviced by a fixed-grip quad and two magic carpets, with a sizable ski school to boot.
TRAIL MAP
Beginner Terrain
When it comes to the beginner experience, Gunstock offers mellow slopes in the Penny Pitou area, as well as a terrain-park-oriented green off the Pistol chair. However, this is the only green-rated terrain Gunstock visitors will get, although there are a few easier blue routes descending from the summit. Fifteen percent of the resort’s terrain is rated green, and the setup is ideal for new skiers who prefer a contained learning zone.
Intermediate Terrain
Intermediate skiers make up the core audience at Gunstock, with 52 percent of the terrain designated blue. Grooming is excellent, and Gunsmoke and Flintlock in particular offer scenic, well-maintained descents with lake views the entire way.
Over half of Gunstock’s trails are rated as intermediate blue squares, although some of them are on the easier side as far as this trail rating generally goes.
Advanced Terrain
Advanced terrain accounts for 31 percent of the mountain, concentrated on steeper pitches near Tiger and Hot Shot. The resort doesn’t feature extensive sustained steeps, but when it does get steep, the trails are generally wide and include long, mellow runouts at the bottom. While Gunstock lacks sustained expert fall-lines, one could argue some ungroomed single-black sections approach expert difficulty.
Expert Terrain
Officially, only two percent of the terrain is rated expert, limited to a short glade off Upper Recoil. Since there is no snowmaking in any glades, conditions are rarely good enough to allow this run to open.
Gunstock does have a few sections of steep terrain, although they are short, generally wide, and have long runouts at the bottom.
Terrain Parks
Gunstock has two terrain parks, both serviced by the Pistol triple chair. Sidearm is designed for beginners, featuring smaller, more approachable features that make it a good introduction to park skiing and riding. Blundersmoke, on the other hand, hosts the mountain’s largest jumps and features and serves as the main park for more advanced freestyle skiers and riders. The resort occasionally sets up ski-cross courses in this area as well.
Snow Quality and Resiliency
Gunstock averages around 100 inches of natural snowfall per year, which is better than some other southern New Hampshire ski resorts but modest by the state’s standards overall. Its proximity to the lake often brings mixed precipitation, but the resort compensates with snowmaking on 100 percent of non-glade terrain. Early December snowmaking builds a deep base (temperature conditions permitting), and the resort grooms most trails nightly to keep surfaces consistent, even after rain. A recently added winch cat maintains Hot Shot’s steeper pitches, and new snowmaking on Ramrod accompanied a trail extension this season. Glades remain natural snow only.
RECOMMENDED SKIS FOR GUNSTOCK
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Recommended all-mountain ski
Recommended carving ski
Recommended glade ski
Recommended expert/touring ski
Navigation
Navigation at Gunstock is straightforward thanks to its compact layout and clear trail structure. Nearly every run from the summit involves a sequence of three connected trail segments: upper, middle, and lower (such as Upper Trigger, Middle Trigger, and Lower Trigger). Once visitors grasp this pattern, it becomes easy to plan routes and stay oriented. Options to switch trails mid-descent are clearly marked and easy to follow, with additional signs directing skiers toward different base areas and lifts.
Lifts
Lifts at Gunstock are anchored by the Panorama high-speed quad, which provides summit access in about five minutes. This lift generally handles the mountain’s main traffic well and helps keep pressure off the slower fixed-grip lifts.
The remaining lifts are primarily older triples and quads that operate at a slower pace but are typically uncrowded unless a race event is taking place. Notably, the Pistol triple was once the summit lift before being relocated to its current position when Panorama was installed, and it retains a useful secondary role serving terrain on the east side of the mountain.
Gunstock rarely sees significant lines at its lifts, although waits can build at the high-speed quad on the busiest days.
Crowds
Gunstock is not a member of any multi-mountain pass program unless you are a college student in New Hampshire. Therefore, crowds are mostly either locals or folks looking for a closer, less busy mountain. Saturdays can still bring heavy traffic and tickets can sell out, but under these circumstances, lift lines are usually still confined to the high-speed quad. On the busiest days, the resort usually manages singles lines efficiently, but those arriving after 9 or 10 a.m. may be directed to remote parking with shuttle service.
On-Mountain Facilities
While they’re not going to blow anyone away, Gunstock offers a decent set of facilities for a mountain of its size and local nature. The recently-expanded Panorama Pub summit lodge, features excellent views alongside limited bar service and hot food options. Bathrooms are available both at the summit and throughout the base area. The main base lodge includes a large cafeteria, a full-service restaurant, lockers, a brand-new tuning and repair shop, a sizable rental center, and a ski shop. Nearby, the Stockade Lodge provides another cafeteria option and sits adjacent to the resort’s large ski school, which serves skiers and riders of all ages.
RECOMMENDED SNOWBOARDS FOR GUNSTOCK
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Recommended intermediate board
Recommended advanced board
Recommended expert board
Recommended touring board
Night Skiing
Night skiing is one of Gunstock’s standout features. About half of the mountain remains open after dark, including significant portions of the Pistol, Ramrod, and Tiger areas. The combination of extensive lighting coverage and reliable snowmaking gives skiers and riders more time on the hill than at most resorts in the region, making it a popular option for locals looking to get in laps after work or visitors hoping to maximize their day.
Gunstock offers excellent night skiing for the region, with advanced and freestyle terrain consistently open.
Other Activities
Beyond alpine skiing, Gunstock also offers tubing serviced by its own magic carpet lift, as well as a large cross-country skiing area with snowbike and snowshoe rentals, making it a well-rounded winter recreation hub.
Ownership and Development
One of the most unique things about Gunstock is that it is owned by Belknap County, making it one of the few county-run ski areas in the country. Residents elect the board that oversees operations, and recent years have seen substantial investment in infrastructure and snowmaking. The resort has outlined an ambitious expansion plan that could significantly increase its skiable acreage in the future. A leadership transition took place this season with longtime GM Tom Day retiring after 17 years.
While Gunstock doesn’t have any on-site lodging, parking is entirely free.
Getting There and Parking
Gunstock is located just under two hours from Boston with regular traffic conditions, with some northern suburbs significantly closer. A large portion of the drive from the Boston metropolitan area takes place on Interstate 93. For those without a car, the Cape Cod Ski Club operates regular buses from the Cape directly to Gunstock, making it accessible for day trips and group outings.
All parking at Gunstock is free, which is a welcome perk compared to some larger resorts in the region. The resort recently repaved its main parking lot and added streetlights to better accommodate night skiers. On busy weekends and powder days, several overflow lots are available, and the resort runs shuttle service to and from the base area to handle the increased traffic.
Lodging
There is no on-site lodging at Gunstock, but plenty of nearby options exist. The Gunstock Inn & Suites is located less than a mile from the resort, and the surrounding area offers a range of house and condo rentals suitable for families, groups, and weekend visitors. While it lacks the ski-in/ski-out convenience found at some larger mountains, its proximity to local towns provides enough flexibility for overnight stays.
Après-Ski
Gunstock does not have a dedicated ski village at its base, so après-ski options are limited to what’s available in the main lodge. The nearest towns, Gilford and Alton, are primarily summer resort communities rather than traditional ski towns. They offer their own charm, with a handful of restaurants and bars that can make for a pleasant evening after a day on the slopes, but visitors shouldn’t expect a bustling nightlife scene.
Gunstock’s high-speed quad lift and summit lodge make for a nicer environment than one might expect from a typical locally-run ski area.
Verdict
Gunstock isn’t the biggest or most snow-sure mountain in New Hampshire, but for the convenience, it’s hard to beat. The resort delivers a refreshingly non-commercial experience with fantastic lake views to boot, and it offers more than enough for most day-trippers from the Boston area.
Pricing
For the 2024-25 season, Gunstock’s lift ticket prices ranged from $65-$79 on weekdays and $94-$109 on weekends, depending on the time of season. While these prices are lower than many of the larger White Mountain resorts, the difference is not dramatic. Season passes offer significant discounts when purchased in the spring, making them a smart investment for local skiers who plan to visit regularly.
While Gunstock is not part of any major multi-mountain pass network, the resort participates in the New Hampshire College Pass, a joint offering with Cannon, Cranmore, and Waterville Valley. This pass is available exclusively to college students in New Hampshire and costs $399 when purchased in advance, offering excellent value for in-state students who want access to multiple mountains throughout the season.