Gunstock 12/27/2010 Night Shift

[deadheadskier]

Date(s) Skied: Monday, December 27th, 2010

Resort or Ski Area: Gunstock Mountain

Conditions: Wind Scoured to Wind Loaded, cold and very windy

Trip Report:

First time for me at Gunstock today. One of very few decent sized New England areas that I've never been to before. Made the decision mid-afternoon today that I wasn't going to let this first major dump of the season for Southern NH completely pass me by. Bagged work at 4:00 and headed up to Gunstock for some night skiing.

I got on the lift at 6PM. I was hoping maybe I'd get lucky and score some powbumps on Redhat under the lights as I've read they let it bump up, but wasn't so lucky. I was lucky enough to enjoy awesome wind loaded conditions on the sides of the trails. There were places in the middle of the trails that were completely blown down to ice, but for the most part it was fantastic chalky goodness. Occasionally hit places where I got in a good 6 inches or so, but for the most part it was really packed down in places from the wind. I'd estimate they got a solid foot of snow. It's unfortunate that the snow came with all the wind as I don't see it helping a tremendous amount towards opening trails that haven't had snowmaking on them. Though I'd imagine it will make for a good base in the glades.

I'm not sure if they run night skiing from the summit as the Panorama Quad was closed. I spent most of my evening on the Tiger triple. I took a couple of runs over on the Pistol Triple as well, but that area is pretty much just the park and one other trail that didn't have as nice of pitch as the couple of trails off the Tiger. Got in a dozen runs on definitely the best snow I've skied all season. Sorry, no photos. Too effin' windy and cold to mess with the camera.

I plan on hitting Gunstock once more for a full day this season with a voucher I got through buying a CHAD card. I'm considering making a 'home mountain' change to Gunstock from Ragged due to it's closer proximity and the available night skiing. I knew it was closer to me than Ragged, but really was surprised how easy the trip was. 49 miles door to door and an hour and ten minutes in the car despite having crappy roads and getting caught behind some slow pokes. So, basically an hour, which is doable for me for nights, especially because they have impecable Verizon service :grin: Now, if only they had a bump program like Sundown.....

 

[powhunter]

Glad ya got to harvest the storm!

steveo

 

[speden]

Sounds like you picked a nice night to check out Gunstock. They probably don't get very many "powder" days. Since you're a Ragged regular, I was curious to hear how you liked Gunstock. Wasn't sure if you'd say, "This place sucks!", or "This place isn't so bad." I guess if you're thinking of making a second trip it would be the latter.

I haven't gotten up to Gunstock yet this season, but it looks like they are getting enough trails open now to make it worth it. I think it's normal that they don't run the main lift at night. I don't think the upper trails have lights on them, but I'm not sure.

 

[WinnChill]

I learned to ski on Gunstock's slopes and hope to get up there real soon--perhaps this week.

+1 for braving the cold and wind...at night!

 

[Gunstock]

Deadhead....Thanks for stopping by yesterday. The conditions were awesome, nothing like 16 inches of fresh snow to make you smile! The Panorama to the summit doesnt run at night so we look forward to you taking some runs during the day. You will love the views and if you are in southeast NH, we are the quickest for you to get to. Clear road will make it a breeze!

 

[deadheadskier]

Really only negative complaint I could make about the place is the lifts are a bit of a hike from the lodge. The Panorama didn't look too bad, but it wasn't open. I wonder why when they installed the Tiger Triple they didn't align it to be closer to the base. Suppose that might have the benefit of keeping crowds down on it. I do very much like that the Park area is off to the side with it's own lift for that same reason.

Overall, I enjoyed the place. Mind you, it's all about expectations. Ragged is FAR from my favorite area in New England. I wouldn't want to spend more than half my days there in a season and probably would feel the same way about Gunstock (unless they started a great bump program). Having a decent place to make some turns that is convenient and inexpensive is just part of my overall 'program' for my season. Gunstock is only a tad bit more expensive than Ragged if you buy a pass at the end of the season ($399 I think), it's about a half hour closer to home, has better snowmaking and has night skiing. So, lots of positives that make it a better choice for where I live than Ragged. Looking forward to getting out there for a day when the full mountain is open.

 

[Gunstock]

So many ski areas have a hike to the lift. Remember that Gunstock has adapted over the years and where our Guest Services building is now used to be a parking lot. The original design in 1935 left great green space for the other months of the year. Tough to move the lodges that were put in place over 70 years ago! We do have great season pass rates at the end of the year, and even now the pass rate pays for itself in 7 days. With night skiing and riding you are right, you can certainly make the most of your pass.

 

[deadheadskier]

Yep, I do recognize that things were built there long ago and you've got to work with what you got. I found all of your facilities to be very clean and the staff was wonderful. Good clam chowder in the bar. Even with a brief one night visit it's clear that there is a strong commitment towards maximizing the guest experience. Heck, your participation in this skiing message board thread shows that you are listening to customer feedback in all manners.

So, now that I've got your ear, when are they going to start seeding bumps on Redhat?

Lots of areas these days are making a strong commitment to their mogul skiing product. If Gunstock built a reputation of having great bumps, I think a lot of advanced skiers in the Boston market would be persuaded to ski there more instead of traveling further north.

Thanks again for your participation on the message board!

 

[Gunstock]

We will let that bump up as soon as we get Stonebar and and Cannonball open. Bumps are fun, i admit i used to ski them a number of years ago when my back was younger. As you know, the equipment has changed so much that everyone screams for groomers and carving. Our 4 glades offer great bump fun when they get open. Just need a couple more storms then its fun in the trees.

 

[deadheadskier]

Cool, looking forward to getting up there when the Glades open up.

Just a couple of thoughts on bump skiing.

A. Bump skiers are pretty easily satisfied. As long as you have 1 really good bump run, we're happy. Flying Goose at Sunapee would be a good example of one of your competitors delivering this.

B. Bump runs at Southern resorts almost need to be managed like Terrain Parks. Seeding is the way to go with the occasional top dress of snowmaking. Even tiny little feeder areas like Sundown in CT are taking this approach. Major areas like Killington and Mt. Snow do as well.

viva la bumps!

Thanks again for listening and your feedback!

 

[snoseek]

I just missed you-skied open till 430, soooo good!!!!

 

[deadheadskier]

bummer

bet it was great during the day. damn 9 to 5 job

 

[snoseek]

first hour was empty and super fluffy. People slowly trickled in and it got busy by 11.

If I were you I would definately ski gunstock over ragged, so close and better snowmaking

 

[Trigger]

I work the 4pm-12 shift. Im thinking of banging out sick tonight and hitting Gunstock. Never been there before. How many trials are open at night right now? Is Gunstock better than Sunapee?

 

[deadheadskier]

A handful each off of the Tiger, Pistol and Ranrod lifts. It was just cruising terrain and the park. Limited challenge, but I had a lot of fun.

I can't comment on whether it's better than Sunapee as I haven't skied the whole mountain. I'm sure that some folks prefer one, some prefer the other. Sunapee is a bit larger.

 

[polski]

A. Bump skiers are pretty easily satisfied. As long as you have 1 really good bump run, we're happy. Flying Goose at Sunapee would be a good example of one of your competitors delivering this.

I wish the folks at my local hill, Bradford, would read these boards and see this. Bumps aren't even my thing but I'd do more of them - and hit Bradford more often - if they maintained a bump run. Occasionally skiers' right on the race trail gets some bumps but clearly it's not a concerted effort. Definitely would make the place more interesting in the early season before natural snow allows them to open up 100%. I understand why they seem to focus much of the attention on the terrain park, but still.