Trip planning at a glance
Know Before You Go
The details that shape your morning
- Parking
- Generally easy
- Arrive by
- Before about 9:00 AM for the best Main Lot options
- Best base area
- Pistol Lot
- Boot-up style
- Main Lot for the cleanest boot-up; Pistol if you want to tailgate
- Best for
- Tailgating, terrain park skiers, families arriving early
Local verdict
Gunstock generally handles parking well, but if you want one of the best tailgate spots near Pistol or Panorama, get there early.
Nothing beats the views from the summit of Gunstock Mountain. On a clear Blue Bird Day, Lake Winnipesaukee stretches out below you and the surrounding mountains make Gunstock feel a whole lot bigger than its trail map might suggest. In recent years, Gunstock has done a great job preparing terrain, grooming, and running the mountain. Every now and then, the Panorama lift will croak in the middle of the day and leave skiers dangling in the breeze waiting for a kick-start. Tiger and Pistol could both use a little more pep in their step, but skiing all three lifts adds some great variety to the day.
The most useful part of the guide
Parking Intel
Gunstock gives you three real options, and the one you choose shapes the whole day.
Local Move
Head for Pistol. You're steps from the chair, the tailgating setup is excellent, and even on busy days it's worth checking before settling for Auxiliary.
- Main Lot
- Paved and the easiest all-around option. Arriving before about 9:00 AM usually gives you a convenient spot with quick trunk-to-terrain access. Good choice for ski racers and families, with easier access toward the Tiger side of the mountain — and the best clean boot-up of the three lots.
- Auxiliary Lot
- The backup when Main and Pistol are packed. More sand and mud, a longer walk toward the lodge, and a short hill climb before you choose your lift and terrain. Not first choice, but still workable.
- Pistol Lot — The Blue Bird Local Pick
- A sand lot, so spring conditions can mean wet sand and mud. You're steps from the Pistol Chair with portable toilets generally nearby. Excellent tailgate setup and great for grilling between runs. Best option for terrain-park skiers since the Pistol Chair runs directly over the park — note the chair can move through the loading area faster than first-time riders expect. It gets busy, but it takes a very busy day to fill completely. The sandy, muddy boot-up makes a clean changing setup especially useful.
Who Should Park Where?
- Ski racers
- Main Lot for easier Tiger access
- Tailgaters
- Pistol
- Late arrivals
- Check Pistol before surrendering to Auxiliary
- Terrain-park skiers
- Definitely Pistol
- Families / general skiing
- Main Lot if you're early
Boot-Up Strategy
- Cleanest boot-up — Main Lot
- Paved surface makes it the cleanest and easiest option for changing footwear at the vehicle.
- Messiest backup — Auxiliary
- More sand and mud, and a longer walk.
- Best location despite messier conditions — Pistol
- Excellent proximity to the chair and tailgate scene, but expect sand, mud, or wet conditions depending on the season.
A better way to boot up.
Lots like Pistol are exactly where a clean, organized changing setup makes a difference.
Meet First ChairHow to Ski the Mountain
- Lift mix
- Skiing Panorama, Tiger, and Pistol adds variety to the day.
- Panorama
- Occasionally has operational hiccups, but provides summit access and those signature Gunstock views.
- Terrain park
- Pistol is the natural base for terrain-park skiers because the chair runs directly over the park.
- Tiger and Pistol
- Both can feel slower, but each opens up a different part of the mountain experience.
A signature route
The Blue Bird Local Last Run
Tiger → Cannonball → Lower Ramrod → Panorama → Gunsmoke → Pistol → Gun Powder → Blundersmoke Chute → Pistol Chair
Want to finish the day with a little Gunstock tour? Start your return on Tiger and take Cannonball to Lower Ramrod. Ride Panorama back to the summit, then take Gunsmoke toward Pistol. You'll need a good tuck to carry yourself over the small incline before working your way toward Gun Powder and Blundersmoke Chute, finishing back at the Pistol Chair. It's a fun way to hit multiple sections of the mountain before calling it a day.
When the skis finally come off, the Barrel Bar & Grille at the base is worth a stop. The food is solid, the service is good, and after a full Gunstock day, it's an easy place to finish.
- Après
- Barrel Bar & Grille, at the base
The bottom line
Blue Bird Local Verdict
- Best advice
- Get there before 9:00 AM
- Best feature
- Those summit views
- Best tailgate
- Pistol
- Best clean boot-up
- Main Lot
- Best overall parking
- Pistol Lot
Get there early. Claim your spot. Get organized. And get from trunk to terrain. That's how you start a Blue Bird Day.
Beyond the Blue Bird Local guide
Local Intel
What do Gunstock Mountain regulars know that we missed?
No published tips for Gunstock Mountain yet.
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From trunk to terrain