Gunstock
227 acres, 48 runs in the Lakes Region. County-owned resort, Lake Winnipesaukee views, night skiing.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
4 Dec 2026
Closes
3 Apr 2027
Days open
120
Annual snow
97in
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Gunstock's summit reaches 2,300 feet, dropping roughly 1,400 vertical feet to a base at 899 feet across 48 runs spread over 227 acres in Gilford, New Hampshire, overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee. Terrain splits 52 per cent intermediate, 31 per cent advanced, 15 per cent beginner and 2 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 97 inches. Five lifts, including three quad chairs and two triple chairs, serve the mountain alongside one surface lift and one t-bar.
Gunstock occupies a genuinely distinctive place among New Hampshire ski areas as a publicly owned recreation complex, operated for the benefit of the surrounding county community. Its panoramic views over Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire's largest lake, give the resort a scenic backdrop uncommon among the region's mountains.
The resort traces its origins to the Winnipesaukee Ski Club, formed in 1918, whose members cut early trails on Gunstock, Belknap and Piper Mountains. The Works Progress Administration constructed what was then known as the Belknap Mountain Recreation Area, completing the project in time for its official opening on 28 February 1937 with a ski jumping event. The ambitious development, championed by the Belknap County Legislative Delegation, included a chairlift, four rope tows, cross-country trails, camping facilities and a substantial main lodge, and the resort claimed the first chairlift in the eastern United States.
Gunstock has remained under Belknap County ownership throughout its history, managed since 1959 by the five-member Gunstock Area Commission established by state statute. This public ownership structure distinguishes Gunstock from the great majority of New England's privately operated ski areas. Adult daily tickets run from 75 to 95 US dollars, with substantial discounts for seniors aged 70 and over.
1,401ft
Vertical
48
Runs
227 acres
Skiable
97in
Annual snow
The Terrain
48 runs across 227 acres skiable
Gunstock is a lakeside mountain in Gilford, New Hampshire, with 48 runs over 227 acres (92 hectares) and views over Lake Winnipesaukee. The vertical is 1,400 ft (427 m), from a base at about 900 ft (274 m) to a 2,300 ft (701 m) summit. Intermediate skiing dominates at 52%, with 31% advanced, 15% beginner and 2% expert. Snowfall averages around 97 inches a year. The terrain is mostly cruisers with a few black pitches, and plenty of it is lit after dark, so it works as well for evening laps as for a full day.
The Panorama Express is the only high-speed lift, with five distinct ways down: Gunsmoke and Flintlock are continuous blue runs, while Recoil and Hot Shot include black sections. The Pistol triple serves parks, glades and intermediate runs, including the Blundersmoke Terrain Park and Parallax Glades. Night skiing covers around 22 trails, plus two lit park lines. Gunstock suits intermediates, families and park riders who like a lively evening session after a day on the snow, though experts will likely run out of new lines after a couple of days.
Terrain split
48
runs
48 runs across 4 grades
Beginner7 runs · 15%
Intermediate25 runs · 52%
Advanced15 runs · 31%
Expert1 run · 2%
Time it right
When to visit Gunstock
The 2025-26 season at Gunstock ran from 6 December 2025 to 5 April 2026, a roughly seventeen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 97 inches. Extensive night skiing extends the useful ski day considerably for visitors from the surrounding Lakes Region throughout the season.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions to Gunstock's intermediate-and-advanced-weighted terrain overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee. As a publicly owned Belknap County resort, Gunstock draws heavily from the surrounding Lakes Region community alongside visitors specifically seeking its panoramic lake views and public-access mission.
Substantial senior discounts, including reduced pricing for skiers aged 70 and over, reflect the resort's community-focused, publicly accountable pricing philosophy. School holiday periods bring increased family visitation given the resort's varied terrain and accessible pricing structure relative to privately operated competitors nearby.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations and night skiing is not confirmed in available resort information. Under continuous Belknap County ownership since the resort's 1937 founding as the Belknap Mountain Recreation Area, and management by the Gunstock Area Commission since 1959, the resort continues serving its original public recreation mission each season. Gunstock's Lake Winnipesaukee views remain a defining seasonal backdrop for visitors.
Season 2026 - 2027
4 Dec 2026
Opens
3 Apr 2027
Closes
120
Days open
97 in
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Gunstock, and where to stay
Gunstock sits in Gilford, New Hampshire, overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee, with a base elevation of 899 feet and a summit at 2,300 feet across a roughly 1,400-foot vertical drop over 227 acres. This Lakes Region setting gives the resort panoramic views over New Hampshire's largest lake.
Gilford and the broader Lakes Region, including nearby Laconia, offer extensive lodging, dining and lake-focused recreation within a short drive of the resort. This combination of mountain and lake amenities gives the surrounding area a genuinely varied appeal across both winter and summer seasons.
New Hampshire State Route 11A and Interstate 93 provide access to the resort from the broader Lakes Region and beyond. Winter driving conditions on regional roads can include snow and ice, though the well-travelled routes are regularly maintained given the area's popularity as a year-round recreation destination. There is no direct public transport service to the mountain.
Specific nearest commercial airport details are not confirmed in available resort information, though Gunstock's Lakes Region location keeps it within a reasonable drive of the greater Manchester and Boston metropolitan areas for visitors travelling from further afield.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Gunstock, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Gunstock's ski season?
Gunstock's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from December 4 through April 3. That window is roughly 120 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in New Hampshire, Usa often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Gunstock have?
Gunstock lists about 227 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 48 named runs (92 hectares alongside 227 acres skiable). That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Gunstock?
Trail grading at Gunstock breaks down roughly as 15% beginner, 52% intermediate, 31% advanced, 2% expert. The mix is balanced enough for mixed-ability groups, so learners can stay on marked green/blue (Green/Blue) terrain while stronger skiers peel off to steeper pitches.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical feet. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Gunstock have?
Gunstock operates 7 lifts across 4 lift types. The fleet includes 3 quad chairs, 2 triple chairs, 1 t-bar, and 1 surface lift.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Gunstock?
Base elevation at Gunstock is about 899 ft (274 m), with the summit around 2,300 ft (701 m), giving roughly 1,401 ft (427 m) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Gunstock get each season?
Gunstock averages about 97 inches (246 cm) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Where can I buy Gunstock lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans US$35 to US$95, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Gunstock before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 3 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Gunstock so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Gunstock have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Gunstock. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Gunstock located?
Gunstock sits in New Hampshire, Usa. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
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