Gunstock invests $10M in improvements before ski season

GILFORD — Gunstock Mountain Resort staff are making $10 million in improvements for the upcoming ski season and beyond, with a significant investment in lifts.

According to Director of Marketing Bonnie MacPherson, Gunstock has more than $3 million going toward lift repairs and maintenance, $2.5 million for snowmaking and grooming equipment, and at least $4 million for other infrastructure like electrical systems.

Last year, the Panorama quad lift’s computerized chair spacing system caused the chair to be temporarily closed on busy Presidents Day weekend. The system has now been replaced.

“The chair spacing system monitors each chair’s location in the terminal and its relation to the chairs in front of, and behind, it,” said Operations Director Dave Ulbrich. “Weather conditions and skier actions can move chairs out of their designated locations while in the terminal. The spacing system uses a series of clutches to slightly speed up or slow down chairs as they move through the terminal and put them back in place.”

Ulbrich explained the detachable chairlifts get their name because the chair separates from the haul rope as it enters the terminal. It then slows down as skiers and snowboarders are sitting, and reattaches and increases speed until the chair reaches the drop-off point.

“This allows ski lifts to run at much higher speeds and gives skiers more skiing and less sitting on lifts,” Ulbrich said. “The process is incredibly complex, and requires precise timing to keep every chair exactly where it should be in the system.”

The Panorama quad is anticipated to take about two years to refurbish. Upgrades began last spring, including improvements with the communication lines transferring safety information between the operators at the terminals and each tower.

“These upgrades are critical elements of a larger investment in the full renovation of the Panorama lift,” MacPherson wrote in a media release. “The lift will include further enhancements to include new lift structures to house lift components, and shelter lift attendants at the base and summit.”

Other improvements include replacement of the haul rope on the Ramrod lift, and the Pistol lift gear box was upgraded for this season. The lift drives for Tiger, Pistol and Ramrod are also scheduled to be replaced by the start of the upcoming season in December.

“In addition, resort electrical systems have been inspected and upgraded as needed to ensure reliability,” MacPherson stated.

The lift repairs are notable, as last year mountains across the Northeast experienced a variety of issues with their lifts. Ulbrich said Gunstock’s lifts undergo a proper inspection process before the season starts, with potentially more throughout the season.

“Every ski lift in New Hampshire is registered with the Passenger Tramway Safety Board and inspected yearly by its inspectors, with additional inspections randomly conducted during the year,” Ulbrich said. “Those inspectors go through our paperwork to ensure all required maintenance is done prior to operating to the public. The inspectors also perform a comprehensive inspection of all the safety systems of each lift to ensure they are working properly.”

This winter’s snowmaking will also be upgraded, including the installation of 24, 30-foot energy efficient HKD Impulse tower guns on Upper Gunsmoke. These are designed to provide high production outputs of “quality snow” through a wide range of temperatures.

“The impulse snow guns are high-efficiency, allowing us to use more water with less air,” Ulbrich said.

New Klik hydrants are also being installed to improve snowmaking efficiency. Ulbrich said the hydrants are always hosed up, with a five-position lever which changes air and water ratios to preset amounts, allowing for more consistent snowmaking.

“Kliks more importantly allow for significantly faster start up times and adjustments in changing weather patterns,” Ulbrich said. “The snow guns that these replace will be moved to other locations on the mountain, in places that didn’t previously have tower guns, such as Gunstock’s Ramrod trail.”

Gunstock staff are looking to reinforce its reputation for “superlative conditions” with the introduction of a pair of new grooming machines.

According to Vice President and General Manager Robert Drake, Gunstock’s new grooming machines include a Prinoth Bison and a Prinoth Leitwolf Winch. He said the eastern headquarters for Prinoth is based in Concord, and its location not far from Gunstock led to the investment. He said Prinoth’s employees live around the Lakes Region, and several are season passholders.

Drake was especially excited about the Leitwolf Winch, which will be able to groom snow on the mountain’s steepest trails. He said it will also make for major improvements on the terrain park.

“The Leitwolf will be the largest groomer on the mountain,” Drake said. “The winch on the Leitwolf will also allow for a smoother, more consistent surface on steeper terrain. Another benefit is, it gives our operators the ability to move large amounts of snow uphill and across fall lines. Both machines will create efficiencies within our fleet, with advanced technology allowing our operators to save time and money for the resort.”

Gunstock has also joined 21 resorts in offering a multi-mountain uphill season pass this winter through Uphill New England, a local nonprofit organization which created the first ever multi-mountain pass of its kind. The goal is to build a community of “engaged, responsible, and empowered uphill enthusiasts." MacPherson said for those who “prefer to earn their turns,” Gunstock will also be extending uphill access hours this winter.

Drake said the improvements will be completed prior to the start of the ski season, and the Panorama modernization project is scheduled to be finished in spring 2026.

“We will continue investing in all of our lifts with various modernization projects through the summer of 2026, as well.”