Gunstock March 15

[Joshua B]

After skiing Crotched Sunday, my folks and I got rooms in Tilton, then made our way to Gunstock Monday morning. We met up with Rocket21 and skied together for a couple hours. The conditions were even slightly better than Crotched because Gunstock had received 2 or 3 inches of snow the night before. The skiing was almost too good to be true. At the top of Gunstock there's almost a 360 degree view, and as you ski down, you have a beautiful lake view.

Most of the trails from the Panorama Quad were not groomed for the morning, so the skiing was powder on top of machine groomed--heavenly if you like cruising. The trails off the Ramrod Quad were groomed, and skied faster than the ungroomed. All the major lifts were running except for the Tiger Triple. After a couple hours skiing with my folks, we let them enjoy some time together and Rocket21 and I really picked up the pace, trying to ski every trail that was available to ski. The terrain park was great and I grabbed several sessions in the half pipe and on one of the more modest jumps.

I really like Gunstock and they surprised me with nearly full operation on a late season Monday. My only issue is with the flat runouts that plague every trail from the top. If the mountain had a continuous pitch they'd have a lot to brag about.

A look down Tiger. These bumps softened up nicely in the afternoon.

My parents Darleen and Ron

 

[Charlie Schuessler]

Hiking Gunstock's Neighbor Hill Mount Major

If you like the lake view from Gunstock, you might enjoy hiking up Mount Major. For a quickie hike, it also offers a real nice panoramic lake view.

Off of Rte. 11, the main trailhead can a very busy and is often abused, especially during summer/fall weekends. However to the left of the parking area is the East Trail, which is a generally quieter. When departing the summit take the West Trail where there is a falling brook trail that is even less traveled. Carefully followed, all trails will bring you back out to the parking area.

Mount Major is easily accessible with snowshoes in the winter. The summit view differs slightly from Gunstock where you will clearly see Alton Bay. Watching the iceboats sail around or the airplane operations of the Alton Bay Ice-Field with a pair of binoculars in January is not something you’ll see from many other peaks.

Along with Gunstock, Red Hill, and a few backwoods ledges, Mount Major’s summit view of Lake Winnipesaukee is a favorite of mine.