Historic Arlberg Inn listed and sold by Tom Drouin of Roche Realty Group

Tom Drouin, of Roche Realty Group, recently sold the formerly known site, Arlberg Inn in Gilford. This nostalgic inn captured the rich skiing history of the area while highlighting its Austrian roots and deep connections to Gunstock Mountain Resort.

The Arlberg Inn was a landmark that served as the heart of Gilford’s ski community. As a past ski patrol member himself, Tom fondly remembers the Arlberg was for more than just a place to rest your head after a long day on the mountain. The inn brought a piece of the European Alps to the Lakes Region.

The story of the Arlberg Inn began when Fred Knachbauer was helping his parents establish the family-run Arlberg Inn. Formerly a farm, the inn had its grand opening in October 1937. Fred ran the Winnipesaukee Ski School at Gunstock Mountain Area during 1937-38, and he became one of the first certified ski instructors in the country. The Knachbauer Family envisioned bringing the authentic flavor of their homeland's ski culture to New Hampshire.

The Arlberg Inn boasted more than a dozen private guest rooms. The farm became a seasonal home for ski instructors, foreign exchange ski workers, and the Gunstock Ski Patrol. It was a place where stories of the day's best runs, worst wipeouts and most daring ski patrol rescues were traded.

The Arlberg featured a restaurant, gift shop and lounge that stayed packed long after the lifts at Gunstock stopped for the day.

Today, the developers look to revitalize the historic 12-acre site across from Gunstock Mountain Resort’s main entrance.

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This was written by Tom Drouin, a Realtor at Roche Realty Group in Meredith. He can be reached at 603-279-7046 or 603-387-1824. Visit rocherealty.com to learn more about the Lakes Region and our local real estate market.