Hundreds of skiers, snowboarders and winter lovers gathered at the bottom of the Ramrod Quad lift at Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford on Dec. 28, bundled for the frigid temperatures to view a torchlight parade and fireworks display after sunset. Gunstock has had a busy start to the season, with plenty of fresh snowfall complemented by upgraded snowmaking and trail maintenance equipment. The days between Christmas and New Year's Day historically serve as an unofficial kickstart to the winter season. After lifts closed on Dec. 28, Gunstock hosted residents for the event, where people of all ages cheered on skiers coming down the hill, holding red electronic torches, and the ensuing grand finale of fireworks shot off from the top of the lift area.
— Bob Martin
The tradition of torchlight parades goes back almost a century, and it is celebrated at Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford on Dec. 28, as skiers and snowboarders made their way down the Phelps trail under the Ramrod Quad lift. (Bob Martin/The Laconia Daily Sun photo)
The tradition of torchlight parades goes back almost a century, and it is celebrated at Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford on Dec. 28, as skiers and snowboarders made their way down the Phelps trail under the Ramrod Quad lift. (Bob Martin/The Laconia Daily Sun photo)
Fireworks light up the frigid sky above Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford on Dec. 28, during a week mountain leadership says is the kickoff for the winter season. Gunstock opened at the beginning of December, experiencing record visits and unprecedented terrain opening early in the season. (Bob Martin/The Laconia Daily Sun photo)
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Spectators of all ages gather in front of Gunstock Mountain Resort's Ramrod Quad chairlift on Dec. 28, in Gilford, to view fireworks following a torchlight parade down the mountain. (Bob Martin/The Laconia Daily Sun photo)
The tradition of torchlight parades goes back almost a century, and it is celebrated at Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford on Dec. 28, as skiers and snowboarders made their way down the Phelps trail under the Ramrod Quad lift. (Bob Martin/The Laconia Daily Sun photo)
The tradition of torchlight parades goes back almost a century, and it is celebrated at Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford on Dec. 28, as skiers and snowboarders made their way down the Phelps trail under the Ramrod Quad lift. (Bob Martin/The Laconia Daily Sun photo)
Spectators gather at the base of the Ramrod Quad chairlift at Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford, on Dec. 28, to watch the fireworks display light up the sky. (Bob Martin/The Laconia Daily Sun photo)
Spectators of all ages gather in front of Gunstock Mountain Resort's Ramrod Quad chairlift on Dec. 28, in Gilford, to view fireworks following a torchlight parade down the mountain. (Bob Martin/The Laconia Daily Sun photo)
Spectators gather at the base of the Ramrod Quad chairlift on Dec. 28, to watch the fireworks display above Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford. (Bob Martin/The Laconia Daily Sun photo)
Spectators gather at the base of the Ramrod Quad chairlift on Dec. 28, to watch the fireworks display light up the sky above Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford. (Bob Martin/The Laconia Daily Sun photo)
Spectators gather at the base of the Ramrod Quad chairlift on Dec. 28, to watch the fireworks display above Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford. (Bob Martin/The Laconia Daily Sun photo)
Fireworks light up the frigid sky above Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford on Dec. 28, during a week mountain leadership says is the kickoff for the winter season. Gunstock opened at the beginning of December, experiencing record visits and unprecedented terrain opening early in the season. (Bob Martin/The Laconia Daily Sun photo)
Fireworks light up the sky above Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford, on Dec. 28, during a week that signals the kickoff of the winter season. (Bob Martin/The Laconia Daily Sun photo)
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