On November 1, Gunstock's Panorama lift carries its last scenic riders of the year. On the same day, an adult Winter Prime pass for 2026-27 goes from $879 to $1,079. The resident ticket page still lists last winter's blackout dates. What does exist now is a deadline. For anyone in Gilford who skis the home hill, the important winter date this fall is October 31. Opening day comes later.
One date, several changes
The Gunstock Area Commission's September 17 draft minutes name November 1 as the last day of the summer season. A lot happens that day:
- The scenic lift makes its last runs. It has been open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., since September 21.
- Panorama Pub at the summit closes for the fall. It has been open daily.
- The Adventure Park has its last weekend day. It has been running Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Adult, young adult, youth and senior season passes all move to their higher prices.
- The draft minutes also list a Season Pass Holder Appreciation Party that day.
Gunstock says lift rides depend on the weather and suggests checking operations before you head up.
October at the mountain, by date
The calendar between now and the first week of November fills up fast. Some of the parts close early.
| Date | What happens | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 13 | Aerial Treetop Adventure closes for the season | The zipline and mountain coaster keep weekend hours through Nov. 1 |
| Oct. 17 | Run the Mountain: Crown the Peak and Top Dog Canicross | 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; $35 in advance, $40 race day |
| Oct. 18 | Belknap County Day | Free coaster and/or Panorama summit ride with proof of residency |
| Oct. 25 | Lakes Region Wedding Show | Noon to 3 p.m., $15 at the door |
| Oct. 31 | Last day of current pass pricing | All adult, young adult, youth and senior tiers |
| Nov. 1 | Scenic lift, Panorama Pub and Adventure Park close | Last day of the summer season |
| Nov. 6 to 7 | Gunstock Ski Club gear sale | Historic Main Lodge |
The October 17 race is the stiffest 5K on the list. The course starts near the snack shack behind Resort Services and the Ticket Office and climbs the main work road all the way to the summit. Runners come down Upper Gunsmoke and Middle Recoil, then take the work road back to the finish. The canicross division gets its own start, scoring and awards. Dog and runner are connected by a hands-free belt and a bungee leash.
Belknap County Day on October 18 is the last of the season's free-ride days for county residents. Bring valid identification to the Ticket Office. Gunstock's resident page describes the summer perk as a complimentary ride on the 4,000-foot mountain coaster, a round trip to the summit on the Panorama four-passenger chairlift, or both.
The price ladder, and the $49 ticket next to it
All four age groups go up on November 1. The size of the jump depends on the tier.
| Pass | Through Oct. 31 | Starting Nov. 1 | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Winter Prime, 30 to 59 | $879 | $1,079 | $200 |
| Adult Midweek | $529 | $629 | $100 |
| Adult Nordic | $199 | $229 | $30 |
| Young Adult Winter Prime, 18 to 29 | $679 | $799 | $120 |
| Youth Winter Prime, 6 to 17 | $599 | $719 | $120 |
| Senior Winter Prime, 60 to 69 | $619 | $739 | $120 |
The Buckaroo pass for ages 5 and under is $59, and the Golden pass for 70 and over is $79. The page lists only one price for each. Your pass category is set by the age you'll be on December 1, 2026. Gunstock also caps how many season passes it sells each year and stops selling when it hits the limit. In August, management told the commission that season pass sales were running ahead of the prior year.
For Belknap County residents, the pass isn't the only way in. Gunstock sells county residents a $49 full-day lift ticket for all ages. It's good Sunday through Friday and is available even when the mountain has sold out. You buy it in person at the Ticket Office on the day you ski, with a New Hampshire driver's license or non-driver ID showing a Belknap County address. Tax bills and utility bills don't count as proof.
The pass and the ticket together make for simple arithmetic. At the October price, an adult Winter Prime pass costs about as much as 18 resident tickets. After November 1, it costs about as much as 22. The Midweek pass works out to roughly 11 resident days before the deadline and 13 after. At the commission's April 2026 meeting, Gunstock reported that season passholders averaged 9.05 days on the mountain, up from 8 days the year before. That average is lower than any of those break-even points. Still, the pass gets you some things the resident ticket doesn't: Saturdays, a guaranteed spot on the mountain with no reservation, and no stop at the ticket window.
One item is still open. The resident page still shows last winter's blackout dates: 12/26/25 to 1/3/26, 1/17/26 to 1/19/26 and 2/14/26 to 2/22/26. The 2026-27 exclusions haven't been posted. If your family's ski days fall mostly around school vacation weeks, you'll need those dates to do the comparison, and they may not be out before October 31.
What a summer of lift work produced
The pass you buy this month will ride lifts that spent the summer being worked on. In April, Gunstock laid out a $4.5 million offseason plan as part of a $9 million, two-year program. The plan included about $1.4 million for snowmaking, just over $2 million for chairlifts and $1.1 million for equipment, facilities and maintenance. On the lift list: a new drive, chair spacing and control system for the Panorama quad; a new haul rope for Tiger; and new grips plus completion of a gearbox rebuild for Pistol.
Director of Mountain Operations Dave Ulbrich said what the Panorama work was for:
"Increased reliability of service."
The Panorama work took longer than planned. In June, the commission expected the lift back in time for the July 4 weekend, with Tiger's rope splice set for July 7. The July financial report blamed part of a revenue shortfall on Panorama being down during the first weeks of summer. By the August 20 meeting, management said the lift was "open and running well." July revenue came in at $587,000, which was $123,000 under budget.
The September 17 draft minutes say five capital projects went into service in August, including work on Panorama, Tiger and Pistol. Some work was still underway that night. Pistol's new grips had arrived, and chairs were going to be removed to widen the spacing and allow faster operation. The new snowmaking pipe was nearly done, and the new gate configuration was "set up soon."
The same draft lists a few changes skiers will see on the hill:
- New glades named after historical trail names, including Ejector Glades and Powder Horn Glades, plus some natural-terrain trails.
- Snowmaking added at the bottom of Trigger.
- The Children's Center renamed Snow Sports.
- Mount Washington Observatory weather stations at the summit and at the time shack at the base.
- A snack shack at the terrain park, a mug club and a Gunstock-labeled beer.
Since those minutes are still a draft, their project status could change once the commission approves them. The commission also planned to vote in October to accept the audit, which triggers the annual payment to Belknap County, and to present to the County Delegation on October 20.
Between the last scenic ride and the first chair
OnTheSnow's projection board shows December 4 for Gunstock and notes that its projected dates aren't all official. In the weeks between, the Gunstock Ski Club's annual gear sale fills the Historic Main Lodge. Shopping runs Friday, November 6, from 3 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, November 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Consignment drop-off is Friday evening. The club charges no drop-off fee and keeps 25 percent of each sale price. Soft goods need to be washed and bagged. Straight skis and helmets aren't accepted, and ski boots must have flat soles. The club's sale page lists drop-off as 3 to 7 p.m., and its linked instructions say 3 to 7:30 p.m. Pick up unsold gear Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m. or Sunday from 9 to 11 a.m. Anything left unclaimed is donated.
Chip spent decades building and remodeling homes, so he knows what fall prep looks like on a Lakes Region property: shutting down seasonal systems and getting a house ready for a Gilford winter. If you're weighing a place close to Gunstock, or wondering how a home near the mountain will hold up after a long season of snow, Chip Hornbeek will walk the property with you. Contact Chip for a free Lake‑Market consultation.
