*Construction work at Belknap Mountain Recreation Area (Gunstock). (Photo courtesy Gunstock)*

By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

If you want to go for a hike, take a Zipline, ride a chair lift to see the Lakes Region from on high, or enjoy skiing, there is just one place to do so: Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford.

The resort is beloved by many and has been around in one form or another since the early part of the 1900s. That is long time, with the area undergoing a bevy of changes over the years.

People first heard of skiing in the late 1800s, and in those days, it was a rudimentary sport. It began in Berlin, New Hampshire, where a group of Scandinavians were working on the railroad system. The work brought them to the northern part of the state, where there was deep snow and towering mountains, just right for a sport they had been doing in Europe for years: skiing. According to historical information at www.gunstock.com, Scandinavians made their own skis and created clubs for downhill and ski jumping. By 1882, skiing had become quite popular; thus, the Nansen Ski Club was established.

Not far away, Dartmouth College in Hanover brought outdoor recreation to the state with the Dartmouth Outing Club. By the 1930s, the club had promoted skiing to an extent to help it gain a foothold.

Famed European ski experts arrived during the 1930s, and skiers such as Hannes Schneider fled Nazi control to reestablish themselves in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Their presence greatly helped skiing to grow in the state, and areas like North Conway became Meccas for the sport.

What was happening on the mountain in sleepy Gilford during this time? The answer is not a lot. Of course, everyone was aware of skiing, but most people had not tried it out. Early trails were cut by the Winnipesaukee Ski Club, which began as a group around 1915. Word got out about these trails and snow trains from Boston and points south stopped in Laconia, where enthusiasts could get off for skiing at the mountain in nearby Gilford.

Before Gunstock became an official ski area, Ted Cooke built a rope tow on the western hill/slope at Gunstock Mountain. The year was 1935, and Cooke did a good job with his tow, which turned out to be the longest in the country at the time. The idea of a tow to get people up a mountain when skiing seemed a godsend for those who wanted to pursue the sport. Thus, more tows were added at the Gilford slope.

An article in the Dec. 14, 1939 edition of the Bristol Enterprise titled “New Hampshire Winter Sports” related that Belknap Mountain Recreational Area in Gilford had added a 3,200 ft. chairlift on Mt. Rowe.

Due to the popularity of ski jumping and the need for jobs during the Great Depression, Gunstock – or the Belknap Mountain Recreation Area as it was initially titled - was born in the 1930s. With Federal Emergency Relief Administration funds, a ski jump was built at Mt. Rowe in 1935. With foresight, officials sought more help to create a bustling year-round facility for all sorts of outdoor recreation.

To build such a place would require workers aplenty. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) stepped in and helped create the place we know today as Gunstock. Hussey Manufacturing Company, with offices in Maine, oversaw the workers, many who had been unemployed, thus boosting the local economy at a time (the Great Depression) when work was scarce. It would be the largest WPA-funded project in New Hampshire, putting many people to work.

Information at www.newenlgandskihistory.com relays that the initial plan for Gunstock was to make a $300,000 attraction to be called the Belknap Mountain Recreation Area. The plan was for a 60-meter ski jump, a slalom course, and two new ski trails. The plans were big; it was hoped the new area would bring the 1940 Winter Olympics to Gilford.

The official opening of the new area on Feb. 28, 1937 was a big deal. The kickoff event that followed was the United States Eastern Amateur Ski Association ski jumping event.

Chair lifts were soon added, which only increased Gunstock’s popularity. An article in the Dec. 14, 1939 edition of the Bristol Enterprise titled “New Hampshire Winter Sports” related that Belknap Mountain Recreational Area in Gilford had added a 3,200 ft. chairlift on Mt. Rowe.

The upgrades brought many skiers to the area. Old postcards and photos show a parking lot chock-full of cars with many skiers taking to the nearby slopes at Gunstock.

After World War II ended, people wanted to resume skiing, and some even hoped to ski during the summer months. In the summer of 1949, the Belknap Area tried something new: shaved ice and hay put down for a 40-meter jump in August! Thousands of people were intrigued and attended.

Every effort was made to create events in the area during the summer, with a campground added over time and some events.

One of the most significant summer events brought motorcycle races to the outdoor recreation spot. There was plenty of room at the Belknap Mountain Recreation Area, and a newcomer in a red hat saw the potential.

Frank (Fritzie) Baer was quite a character, wearing a signature red hat. He was a combination of shrewd businessman, manager, and a bit of a showman. Like many in his day, Baer worked hard from a young age, leaving school to work in a mill as a young man. Hard work never frightened Baer, and he put his energies into working for the Indian motorcycle company. He loved motorcycles and formed a club called Fritzie’s Roamers. He soon organized an event that kick-started Laconia’s Bike Week when he created a motorcycle rally at the Belknap Area.

The event was extremely popular as motorcycling was growing in interest. About 10,000 people attended the rally, which in part helped Baer secure the job as manager of the Belknap Area.

Baer was not a skier, but he likely saw the advantages of using the ski area for summer as well as wintertime sports and recreation. And why not when the area had acres of forests, a big parking area, camping, and slopes for winter sports?

Many events were held at Belknap Mountain Recreation Area, including, according to an advertisement in the July 31, 1958 issue of the Bristol Enterprise, an Antiques Fair held on site. Also in the same edition, mention was made that the Belknap County Fair was held at the Recreation Area from 1946 to 1949.

Over the years, managers came and went, bringing new things to attract visitors. T-bars were replaced with chair lifts, for example, and summertime campground improvements were added.

In 2011, a plan for more summer recreation at the area now known as Gunstock was unveiled, featuring an off-season plan that would cost upwards of $2 million. This plan included a treetop obstacle course, high-speed zip lines, and off-road Segway tours (in the autumn of 2011, the additions were completed).

Later, in 2016, a mountain coaster was installed on the lower slope of Mt. Rowe.

The years were up and down, with some seasons seeing a significant snowfall and others with sparse snow. The added expense of the off-season recreation also stretched the budget.

Despite the issues that can be common at most ski areas, Gunstock continues and is as vital a place, in summer as well as winter, as it has ever been. Summer offers a variety of activities, including the zip line, other attractions, numerous campground spaces, hiking, fishing, a Bike Week Hillclimb, a lodge with dining and live music, and events, among the activities.

The area that evolved into a grand destination was born with modest mountain slopes and a few intrepid ski enthusiasts. It has grown up to attract many who today arrive to enjoy Gunstock.

Enjoying Gunstock Year Round