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Gunstock Mountain presents $365,909.35 check to Belknap County, outlines lift and infrastructure work
Summary
Representatives from Gunstock Mountain reported a season of high employment and capital reinvestment, presented a county payment of $365,909.35 (1.75% of gross revenue), and described planned chairlift and infrastructure upgrades.
Representatives for Gunstock Mountain told the Belknap County Board of Commissioners that the resort delivered $365,909.35 to the county this year, an increase from $352,000 the prior year, and described ongoing capital work focused on chairlift controls and other infrastructure.
The presenters said the payment represents 1.75% of Gunstock’s gross revenue. They cited employment and visitor statistics — the resort employed about 842 people last season (a mix of seasonal, part-time and full-time positions) — and said the operation opened 119 days of a scheduled 121, with weather and rain forcing a small number of closures.
Gunstock representatives described operational challenges last season, including the failure of the main Panorama chair during a vacation week and a summer with repeated rain that depressed some summer revenues. They said the resort addressed the chair failure by replacing communications cabling, wheels, sensors and other components, and that planned capital expenditures will replace gearboxes, computer controls and other critical mechanical elements so the Panorama chair will, in effect, be “a brand new piece of equipment” while retaining existing towers.
The presenters said the commission and management continue to self-fund operations and capital investment rather than seeking revenue anticipation notes. Work already completed this year includes new communication cabling, a generator at the summit to maintain limited operations during power outages, a new snowmaking capability designed to operate at higher temperatures, and campground and rental-pavilion improvements for the off-season.
Gunstock staff highlighted local programs and discounts for county residents: a reduced “Belknap County” ticket priced at $55 (valid any day except Saturday) and a reduced campground rate for county residents. They also announced a County Day on Oct. 26 in which residents can take a free ride on the mountain coaster and chairlift; the Panorama Pub will also be open that weekend.
Commissioners and other speakers praised Gunstock’s staff and management for their handling of the chairlift failure and for reinvestment in the mountain’s infrastructure. No formal county action or request for county funding was made during the presentation.
The county’s commissioners accepted the presentation and posed several follow-up questions about snowmaking capacity, contingency plans for drought, and the timing of final Panorama chair work.
