Sara Rosenbloom: Profit is not Gunstock's only purpose; leave summit alone

To The Daily Sun,

Putting a hotel at the top of Gunstock Mountain is a bad idea. It would deprive the public of access to this land. Hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers and snowshoers, among others, currently enjoy mostly free access to the Gunstock summit. Privatizing the summit for use by a few hotel guests and drivers at great expense would deprive the many current users of this access as well as significantly degrading the natural experience which draws them to the Belknap Range. This spring and summer have made clear how popular this area is for such users.

Environmental concerns would arise from providing sufficient parking for toll road users and hotel guests. The mountain top is limited and the need to enlarge it, bulldoze and flatten large areas for parking and a hotel would greatly change the view of the mountain from near and far and potentially cause problems with erosion and runoff.

Part of Gunstock’s appeal is that it is different from the for-profit areas around the state. If people want to spend more money for amenities unrelated to skiing, they can ski at Loon, Attitash, Bretton Woods, etc. These are all fine ski areas but state and county owned ski areas such as Gunstock and Cannon are also accountable to taxpayers and profit is not their only purpose.

Enhancing the existing facilities at the summit of Gunstock is not a bad idea. The tiny summit restaurant could expand and enhance its offerings, perhaps with additional landscaping and outdoor seating so diners could appreciate the view, similar to what Castle in the Clouds offers. Small outdoor performances could be offered. Diners could ride the existing chairlift up and down. Hikers, runners, and bikers could stop by for a meal, cold drink or hot coffee while they enjoy the view.

Enhancing the number and quality of ski trails available is a good idea. Efforts to improve Gunstock should focus on attracting more local users as well as out-of-state users and encouraging more people to ski; this is not done by increasing prices to pay for more roads and expensive slope-side lodging. Gunstock should reach out more to local schools and communities to offer affordable ski programs. Rather than feeling like they’re missing out on big city life, our local kids should be offered the chance to learn skills like alpine and nordic skiing and snowboarding, as well as hiking and mountain biking, things that are impossible in a city.

Public land should not be required to produce funds. Keeping land accessible to users without fees, for purposes which do not result in additional environmental degradation, in a natural state for the benefit of wildlife and humans alike, is also beneficial.

Improving and enhancing the trails and facilities at Gunstock-yes. Building a toll road and a mountaintop hotel to benefit a wealthy few and private profiteers-no.

Sara Rosenbloom 

Laconia