With trail names like Shotgun, Pistol, Derringer, Recoil and Gunpowder, you'd think the Gunstock ski area is run by the National Rifle Association.

It's not. And relax; you won't find any rifles standing in the ski racks or people target-shooting from the chairlifts. The name comes from a story about a 19th-century farmer who chased away a charging bear by hitting it on the head with the gunstock of his empty rifle. The farmer lived and so does the legend.

The lore blends nicely with this New Hampshire area's storied past as one of the country's oldest surviving ski areas. Opened in 1937 during the Great Depression, Gunstock's trails, lodge and roads were carved and built by unemployed locals hired by the Works Progress Administration under FDR's New Deal. Seventy two years later, there's still plenty of evidence of the ancient work. The granite and timber lodge (with an interior resembling a German beer hall) still stands and many of its original trails have that classic, narrow and twisting character.

Yet Gunstock isn't counting on its past during the toughest times since the Depression. In fact, it will try almost anything to get visitors to the mountain all year long, whether it's snow tubing, rock climbing, camping, mountain biking, horse riding, hosting weddings, running Christian and soul music festivals, even organizing a motorcycle hill climb in late June that draws more than 300,000 motorcyclists.

One of its biggest successes is

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teaching people how to ski or snowboard. General manager Greg Goddard says 2,400 kids a week take lessons and the area hopes to increase that number by adding more beginner terrain next season. The reason for the big numbers? Location, location, location to Boston and Manchester and Concord, N.H., and a cozy relationship with schools.

What's also unusual about this area is it's owned by a county. A board of Belknap County Commissioners oversees the area and operates it at no expense to taxpayers. It's been so successful that in the last five years, it's given $1.7 million back to the county.

GETTING THERE -- With cooperating traffic, from southern Connecticut it takes about four hours to get there. The fastest route: I-91 north, to I-84 east to the Mass Pike, to I-495, to I-93. Take I-93 exit 20 onto Route 3 to Route 11A. Gunstock is in Gilford, in the heart of the state's Lakes Region. Area is 13 miles off I-93.

SKIING/SNOWBOARDING -- A 1,400-foot vertical drop, 51 trails (12 percent novice, 61 percent intermediate, 27 percent expert), longest run is 1.5 miles, night skiing on 21 trails. Black diamonds are more like semi-steep blues. Its Blundersmoke terrain park has walls, rails, boxes and tables. Most trails have lots of character with steep pitches, rolls and commanding views; a cruiser's kind of hill. Beginners have their own separate area with some longer green trails under the Pistol lift.

VIEWS -- Lake Winnipesaukee, the largest lake in New Hampshire (21 miles long and between one and nine miles wide), dominates the horizon from the 2,300-foot summit. In the distance is 6,288-foot Mount Washington, the Northeast's highest peak.

LODGING -- None on the mountain; hotel resorts, condos, motels and B&Bs are about a 10-15 minute drive away. For info, visit gunstock.com

THE VIBE -- Laid back, no frills and family friendly; a blue jeans kind of mountain. Because the frozen lake attracts loads of ice fisherman and snowmobiliers, the atmosphere is different from what you'd find at most ski areas. It's not unusual to hear them warming up their snowmobiles and ATVs in the parking lots before 7 a.m. and see them cooking on outdoor grills in sub-zero temperatures. And beer for breakfast? Why not? While not a destination, the area would work best for those making a tour of New Hampshire ski resorts. Bottom line: it's worth giving Gunstock a shot.