Gunstock Summer Construction Kicks Into High Gear
For Immediate Release Bill Quigley
603-293-4341
603-293-4318
603-455-0427 cell
bquigley@gunstock.com
www.gunstock.com
Gunstock Summer Construction Kicks Into High Gear
Gilford, New Hampshire – August 7, 2009—It doesn’t seem possible but the ski season is just over 100 days out, and Gunstock’s construction schedule of a new lift, new trails and doubling of the snowmaking system kicks into high gear over the next few weeks. “At this point everything is on sight and under construction”, says Greg Goddard, GM, “during the next 3 weeks it will really begin to take shape.”
Gunstock is installing over 4 miles of new pipe that will increase coverage on the mountain to 90% of the terrain. Additionally, the plans in the snowmaking plant will more than double the snowmaking output of just a couple of years ago. Snowmaking will be added to the popular SideArm and Out of Sight trails on Pistol, along with new fan guns for the Park. “Our goal is to have 80% of the mountain open the day after Christmas”, says Goddard,” with good weather in November we could have the entire Pistol complex open in early December”. The new technology being installed is more earth conscious and energy efficient, the fan guns on Blundersmoke Park will allow Gunstock to get up and running faster than ever while using less electricity. Gunstock converts between 90 and 110 million gallons of water a year into snow, the improvements made in the plant and on the mountain will allow them to get it on the mountain in the right weather conditions in half the time.
In addition to the snowmaking improvements, Gunstock is also expanding the Gunshy complex to improve the experience of the beginner skier. Gunstock has over 2400 kids a week enrolled in an outreach program and the Gunshy double chair has some of the mountains longest lift lines. The new fixed grip quad will run over 1200 feet to increase the capacity by three times. “The ski industry has a challenge to get new people into the sport, this area will give our beginners a fantastic mountain experience with longer trails at a higher elevation” says Bill Quigley, director of Marketing and Sales. “Although our longest lift line on the mountain last year was only 13 minutes on the busiest weekend, this will virtually eliminate lines and get people sliding instead of standing in line.” Gunstock believes that if just half the skiers that are part of their outreach program continue in the sport and bring a family into it 10 to 15 years down the road, they are creating 10,0000 new skiers a year. Imagine what the industry could do if every ski area had the same focus, we would be talking about new ski areas, not a declining market.
Gunstock, located in Gilford New Hampshire, is one of the state’s largest recreation areas. The first ski area in New England to have a chairlift, Gunstock boasts 1400 feet of vertical, 225 acres of skiing, and 300 campsites during the summer, spectacular views of the Lake Winnipesaukee at every turn. It is also the host of major events such as the, The Lakeside Living Expo, HillClimb during Laconia Bike week, RibFest, CraftFest, Soulfest, and the TimberMan Triathlon.
For more information visit www.gunstock.com or call 1.800.GUNSTOCK/603-293-4341.
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