Gunstock eyes major expansion, adding new terrain, lifts, hotel
GILFORD — Gunstock Resort could be one of the largest ski areas in the state under an expansion and development plan which the county-owned facility is getting ready to unveil
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Gunstock to unveil Expansion plan
- Thread starter deadheadskier
- Start date
Edd
Well-known member
Related:
www.laconiadailysun.com
Ambitious Gunstock expansion could run afoul of political realities
A major challenge to a plan to greatly expand and enhance county-owned Gunstock Mountain Resort is a political belief that the government should not be running a ski area in
With Waterville expanding and potentially Ragged and Sunapee as well, Gunstock kinda has to look at doing the same to stay relevant / competitive.
I think they're foolish for not trying to get on Indy Pass.
I think they're foolish for not trying to get on Indy Pass.
crystalmountainskier
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Indy Pass founder has said he won't allow any more in New England with the possible exception of Northern Maine or Rhode Island. Too much density hurts the yield of existing partners.
Makes sense
Missed opportunity by Gunstock. Waterville and Pats were smart to get in when they did. Missed opportunity for Ragged too.
In Maine I think Abram, Black, Saddleback and Big Rock should all be on it. Black and Saddleback especially. Makes too much sense. Far destinations and you can turn it into a four ski day vacation.
jaytrem
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Abram was on Indy the first year, I do wonder why they left.
I've got mixed feelings on this. I want to see more room to spread out and explore there and am always on the fence to buy a pass as its close and I like the skiing there. If they went over towards mt rowe There's some fun looking terrain off that ridge with a short steep section. The views are great.
But I also really like the Belknaps for hiking. There's excellent loops to be had out there and the density creep is really starting to work into the area.
I dont personally see why some people dont like the county running the place. Its gotta make a shitload of $$$$. With some investment the money should really come in I gotta imagine. As it is the season pass value isnt the best IMO. They really need to team up with another area. These smaller stand alones might consider banding together for mini passes or reciprocal deals.
But I also really like the Belknaps for hiking. There's excellent loops to be had out there and the density creep is really starting to work into the area.
I dont personally see why some people dont like the county running the place. Its gotta make a shitload of $$$$. With some investment the money should really come in I gotta imagine. As it is the season pass value isnt the best IMO. They really need to team up with another area. These smaller stand alones might consider banding together for mini passes or reciprocal deals.
Newpylong
Well-known member
It does not fit Ragged's pass model which is volume based as it is. At $349 per person they're having no issues filling the parking lot.
Also, there is no guarantee any of these areas could have gotten on it if they tried. Like the old Freedom pass, not every ski area that wants in can get on it. The other members vote to see if the addition would negatively effect or help them.
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Edd
Well-known member
Gunstock has spoken to the Indy people in the past, and both determined it’s not the right fit. Despite the pass prices, last year they set a record for number of passes sold and they’re beating that pace this year.
Gunstock is just very fortunate to be in a geographic pocket that pulls in enough of the right customers willing to pay their prices and satisfied with the product.
Gunstock is just very fortunate to be in a geographic pocket that pulls in enough of the right customers willing to pay their prices and satisfied with the product.
Lotta vacation home owners around the lake, so it makes sense they are selling passes well.
The mountain doesn't excite me all that much, but I bought passes there this year for me and the kids. Also got Indy Passes. Really the only alternative to Epic living in coastal NH if you desire a close commute alternative. So, Gunstock replaces Crotched for the easy commute option and then the Indy mountains replace Cat / Attitash and Stowe for mixing in variety. Overall quite a bit more expensive, but my money isn't going to the evil empire.
The mountain doesn't excite me all that much, but I bought passes there this year for me and the kids. Also got Indy Passes. Really the only alternative to Epic living in coastal NH if you desire a close commute alternative. So, Gunstock replaces Crotched for the easy commute option and then the Indy mountains replace Cat / Attitash and Stowe for mixing in variety. Overall quite a bit more expensive, but my money isn't going to the evil empire.
Wow. Impressive!Gunstock eyes major expansion, adding new terrain, lifts, hotel
GILFORD — Gunstock Resort could be one of the largest ski areas in the state under an expansion and development plan which the county-owned facility is getting ready to unveil
Newpylong
Well-known member
I literally have never been there. Guess it's where I've lived there has been no reason... worth a try some day? It seems some swear by it and some hate it.
It's an ok mountain. A bit more interesting cruising terrain than Ragged, but lacking trees. It's really just a convenience play for me. It's 1:05 door to door. Have the kids in seasonal programs on Sundays. Saturdays we will ski off the Indy Pass.
thebigo
Well-known member
I was between ragged and gunstock this year. Went with ragged due to increased lift capacity. I have never timed it but the gunny quad feels slow for an hsdq.
The expansion plans have been around for a while. The effort to privatize is more interesting. Either boyne or altera could mount a serious threat to epic pass sales in the greater Boston market if they were ever able to add gunstock.
The expansion plans have been around for a while. The effort to privatize is more interesting. Either boyne or altera could mount a serious threat to epic pass sales in the greater Boston market if they were ever able to add gunstock.
Do you think vail counters this by purchasing either or both Nashoba valley /ski Bradford?
Smellytele
Well-known member
Not much of a counter move if they had either or both of those…
And they already have Sunapee
Next couple of years should be interesting, at least to me, how all this plays out in New England between, alterra, powdr Corp , boyne and vail, if I understood Vail’s last conference call correctly, starting 11/1/21 vail is no longer under the order where it can’t buy or merge with another ski resort, this order came about during COVID shutdown where they borrowed money in case they needed it, and this order was one of the conditions of the loan, at least what I understand.
Interesting. I expect that if the economy continues to rebound (along with Vail's fortunes) that they will look to see what else they can buy.
Part of me thinks that POWDR will sell at some point in the intermediate future. In part because they are the smallest player out of the conglomerates.
I see a sell/ merger with boyne and powder, my guess powdr will never sell to vail even if they are the last ski co in America, lol, at what point, does alterra do an ipo and their investors cash out? One year two?
I have always been intrigued by how POWDR does not even try to offer any kind of intracompany pass reciprocity. i,e. passholders at Killington get no incentive to ski the other POWDR resorts. I would think that if a Killington passholder got a benefit of discounted or free access to Copper, Snowbird, or Bachelor that they would go. But nothing. Nadda.
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