Gunstock Mountain, Mountain summit in Gilford, New Hampshire, US.
Gunstock Mountain is a mountain and recreation area in the Belknap Mountains of New Hampshire, rising to about 2,240 feet (683 meters) and operated as a ski area in winter with dozens of trails spread across the slopes. The terrain covers a range of slope angles connected by several lifts, and on clear days the view reaches Lake Winnipesaukee and the hills beyond.
The recreation area was built in 1937 by the Works Progress Administration, a federal program created to provide jobs during the Depression. Shortly after opening, it became home to the first chairlift installed in the eastern United States, a development that shaped how ski areas across the region would later be built.
The trails carry names like Pistol, Musket, and Trigger, drawn from the world of firearms and reflecting the area's old craft traditions. Visitors reading the signs on the slopes get a small but tangible connection to the local heritage without needing to leave the trail.
Trails are marked by difficulty level, so both beginners and more experienced visitors can find a route that suits them without much guesswork. In winter, it is worth checking conditions before heading out, since the slopes and lifts depend heavily on snow coverage.
A mountain coaster runs along the slopes year-round, letting visitors ride downhill on a fixed track even when there is no snow on the ground. In summer, aerial obstacle courses and ziplines draw a very different crowd than the one that comes for skiing, making the mountain a two-season destination with almost no overlap.
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