Gunstock opens for season Friday, with record skiers, riders on mountain

GILFORD — Snow was already on many people’s minds after this week's storm, and skiers and riders came out in full force for Gunstock Mountain Resort’s opening day Friday, to enjoy the slopes under bluebird skies.

“We are on track for a record day,” General Manager Robert Drake said on Friday afternoon. “We have more runs open for opening day than I think we have ever had before.”

Drake, who is in his second winter at the helm of the ski resort, said he has been hearing from longtime Gunstock skiers how pleased they were with early season conditions. He was excited to report there were three lifts and 13 trails open — including Middle Trigger — making it the only time the mountain has had a black diamond trail open to start the season.

The Panorama lift had a steady stream of skiers and snowboarders making their way up the to the top of the mountain Friday.

“It was really important for me to get an additional trail off the top for opening day to give some options and spread things out, opening more terrain,” Drake said.

Skiers and snowboarders of all ages were taking advantage of the fresh snow, already bolstered by improved snowmaking and trail maintenance that Gunstock leaders invested in this year.

“I’ll probably try to hit Gunsmoke today,” said Gilford resident Matt Edson, who was gearing up in the parking lot before taking his first runs of the season.

Edson, a season pass holder, was bundled up and ready for temperatures in the mid-teens. He wasn’t too worried about the conditions, and was happy with any skiing he was able to get in.

“I’ll try that one first, and see it how it goes. Otherwise, maybe a one and done, but that’s OK,” he said.

Gilford High School students Jacob Huppi, Cooper Plourde, Samuel Strickland and Lucas Lemire were loving the conditions they said were great for this time of year. After taking runs throughout the morning, they plopped down near the Panorama lift to enjoy the sunshine that somehow made the cold weather manageable. All hailing from Gilmanton, they were excited to have skiing and riding getting started at the mountain, conveniently located just a few miles from where they live.

Brandon McCormack came over from Kittery, Maine, to get some turns in between college classes. He has a college pass this season, and the 19-year-old skier was loving the time out on the hill for the first time this winter, despite the cold snap.

“Conditions aren’t bad,” McCormack said. “Little icy. Little cold.”

Drake said the recent low temperatures have helped with snowmaking, but it was the fresh snow that got skiing on everyone’s minds. There was a strong showing from season pass holders, and the ticket office was reporting higher-than-normal sales for the first day.

“The combination of new snow hitting the region at the right time, the low temperatures for snowmaking, combined with the number of trails open, is a win-win for opening day,” Drake said.

The Ramrod Quad was closed, but the snow machines were blasting on all trails around it to prepare for the weeks ahead. With temperatures expected to stay sub-freezing for the next few days, especially at night, Drake sees “significantly more” trails open by next weekend. He said the snowmaking and trail maintenance crews are magic makers, and he wouldn’t put it out of the realm of possibility that more trails open before that, as well.

“These crews really make it happen, and I couldn’t be more proud of them,” Drake said.

Drake was able to get out on the mountain and take some runs, to experience for himself what the hype was about. He said the skiing was “beautiful.”

“It’s still early season, so there are some hard spots here and there, but generally speaking, it is going really, really well,” Drake said.

One text from a guest on Friday was one Drake said is a testament to his crew and team making opening day as enjoyable as ever.

“Great job everyone,” the text read. “Best all around opening day I’ve ever seen here. I don’t know what you did but the snow on Gunsmoke is the best I’ve ever seen it. Where’s the icy trail we are used to?”

Gunstock is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Night skiing and tubing will start on Friday, Dec. 19. For daily conditions, visit Gunstock.com.