Mount Sunapee West Bowl Expansion Approved

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06 April 2016

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SAM Magazine—Newbury, N.H., April 6, 2016—Today Mount Sunapee N.H., received approval from the state to move forward with its West Bowl Expansion, which will add 56 acres of skiing terrain down the west flank of the mountain into the town of Goshen. There will be four top-to-bottom intermediate to advance intermediate runs, all with snowmaking, serviced by a 5,100' high-speed quad chairlift.

The West Bowl will create another entrance to Mount Sunapee Resort approximately two miles up Brook Road off Route 103 in Goshen. The base area will have a modest base lodge, parking, and a beginner area serviced by a carpet lift.  

“We are pleased with [New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development's] decision, which we believe thoughtfully balances conservation, recreation and economic vitality, and recognizes our efforts to be good stewards of Mount Sunapee,” said Jay Gamble, vice president and general manager of Mount Sunapee. 

The West Bowl expansion is part of Mount Sunapee's revised five-year master development plan, which was submitted to DRED in June 2014. There has been strong local support for the expansion, with selectmen from five surrounding towns having submitted letters to DRED supporting the master development plan. In March 2014, the Town Of Goshen voted to create the Mount Sunapee Recreational District at its town meeting, which is zoned to accept the West Bowl expansion.

“This decision by DRED will ensure that Mount Sunapee Resort will remain competitive with other New Hampshire and New England ski resorts and continue to be a strong economic stimulus year-round in the Lake Sunapee Region,” said Gamble.  

As part of the approved decision, 150 acres outside the current Mount Sunapee State Park boundary that include segments of the trails, lift, and snowmaking for the West Bowl expansion will be added to the ski area leasehold within the Sunapee State Park. Another 260 acres will be donated by Mount Sunapee for conservation lands along the Sunapee-Pillsbury corridor. A total of 410 acres will be added to the Mount Sunapee State Park.