Alton Ice Runway 2026

TiltonBB · 01-30-2026, 07:39 AM

From the Laconia Daily Sun:

The opening comes slightly later than last year’s opening on Jan. 24, which was mostly due to the thaw earlier in the month, followed by the snow coverage. Now, that's all cleared.

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...99d6b81fa.html

Slickcraft · 01-30-2026, 08:37 AM

You can find the current status here:

https://notams.aim.faa.gov/notamSearch/nsapp.html#/

Location: B18

Alan

camp guy · 01-30-2026, 10:27 AM

Speaking of ice runway, I was passing through Meredith yesterday around noon and I saw a lot of activity preparing for the Pond Hockey tournament. I haven't seen any mention on this Forum about it, but it must be happening soon. What have I missed?

TiltonBB · 01-30-2026, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camp guy

Speaking of ice runway, I was passing through Meredith yesterday around noon and I saw a lot of activity preparing for the Pond Hockey tournament. I haven't seen any mention on this Forum about it, but it must be happening soon. What have I missed?

Well, there is this: About 4:45 Thursday afternoon a pickup went through the ice. They have closed the ramp to preserve the ice for the Pond Hockey.

From WMUR:https://www.wmur.com/article/crash-p...13026/70203639

Blue Thunder · 01-30-2026, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

From the Laconia Daily Sun:

The opening comes slightly later than last year’s opening on Jan. 24, which was mostly due to the thaw earlier in the month, followed by the snow coverage. Now, that's all cleared.

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...99d6b81fa.html

Contrary to what this article says, the runway is not open today. It officially opens tomorrow morning Saturday January 31st at 8AM.

Slickcraft · 01-31-2026, 04:25 PM

And it did open to a very crowded Alton Bay.

Alan

webmaster · 02-01-2026, 01:44 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lB3DQBVFlo

https://youtube.com/shorts/0QQV0DWgH...ZGMpUGTJ-g5rPi

ishoot308 · 02-01-2026, 04:44 PM

Went for a snowmobile ride across the lake early this morning from Glendale to the ice runway. Here’s a 4 minute video around the runway I took…

https://youtu.be/Mwrb74Nn6rw?si=_c-9e_BnAzfym4mP

Dan

camp guy · 02-02-2026, 12:14 PM

Great ride around Alton Bay - thanks, Dan.

An "interesting situation" is at hand concerning the Lake. For years and years and then more years, people all around the Lake have watched the Fall temperatures fall until the lake is frozen over, able to support people, equipment, and even planes, so that the sport of catching a fish may be continued. Then, as temperatures slowly begin to go back up, and the surface weakens, the frozen status changes, and the big question becomes "When will the Mount be able to get to all its Ports?" This question has actually prompted a contest, with prizes, and much conjecture. However, and herein is the "interesting situation" - in today's rhetoric, will it be permissible to use the phrase "Ice Out", or would that be considered inappropriate, politically. (And if it is, too damn bad, we were here first!)

chaseisland · 02-02-2026, 12:35 PM

Call it a change of hard water to complete soft water.

8gv · 02-02-2026, 12:39 PM

COS

Change of state.

Garcia · 02-02-2026, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camp guy

Great ride around Alton Bay - thanks, Dan.

An "interesting situation" is at hand concerning the Lake. For years and years and then more years, people all around the Lake have watched the Fall temperatures fall until the lake is frozen over, able to support people, equipment, and even planes, so that the sport of catching a fish may be continued. Then, as temperatures slowly begin to go back up, and the surface weakens, the frozen status changes, and the big question becomes "When will the Mount be able to get to all its Ports?" This question has actually prompted a contest, with prizes, and much conjecture. However, and herein is the "interesting situation" - in today's rhetoric, will it be permissible to use the phrase "Ice Out", or would that be considered inappropriate, politically. (And if it is, too damn bad, we were here first!)

I had to think about that

garysanfran · 02-28-2026, 01:10 PM

https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=1950939909182238

I think Pop's Clam Shell has new hours. Can you fly in, land on ice and get clams?

Blue Thunder · 03-04-2026, 06:44 AM

Paul and Jason announced yesterday that the Alton Bay ice runway is closed for the season. They had a tremendous turnout this year with over 1000 planes visiting, smashing the previous record of around 750. It’s a true labor of love for them and all the volunteers that help make everything safe for those flying in and the spectators on the ground.

https://fb.watch/FDNHZQoTIr/?

01-30-2026, 07:39 AM	#1
TiltonBB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Gilford, NH and Florida Posts: 3,159 Thanks: 748 Thanked 2,277 Times in 986 Posts	Alton Ice Runway 2026 From the Laconia Daily Sun: The opening comes slightly later than last year’s opening on Jan. 24, which was mostly due to the thaw earlier in the month, followed by the snow coverage. Now, that's all cleared. https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...99d6b81fa.html

01-30-2026, 10:27 AM	#3
camp guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: formerly Winter Harbor, still Wolfeboro Posts: 1,224 Thanks: 317 Thanked 560 Times in 310 Posts	Ice runway Speaking of ice runway, I was passing through Meredith yesterday around noon and I saw a lot of activity preparing for the Pond Hockey tournament. I haven't seen any mention on this Forum about it, but it must be happening soon. What have I missed?

01-31-2026, 04:25 PM	#6
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and The Taylor Community Posts: 3,384 Thanks: 1,260 Thanked 2,148 Times in 983 Posts	And it did open to a very crowded Alton Bay. Alan Attached Images

02-01-2026, 04:44 PM	#8
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 6,531 Thanks: 2,453 Thanked 5,465 Times in 2,142 Posts	Ice runway Went for a snowmobile ride across the lake early this morning from Glendale to the ice runway. Here’s a 4 minute video around the runway I took… https://youtu.be/Mwrb74Nn6rw?si=_c-9e_BnAzfym4mP Dan __________________ It's Always Sunny On Welch Island!!

02-02-2026, 12:14 PM	#9
camp guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: formerly Winter Harbor, still Wolfeboro Posts: 1,224 Thanks: 317 Thanked 560 Times in 310 Posts	Alton Ice Runway video Great ride around Alton Bay - thanks, Dan. An "interesting situation" is at hand concerning the Lake. For years and years and then more years, people all around the Lake have watched the Fall temperatures fall until the lake is frozen over, able to support people, equipment, and even planes, so that the sport of catching a fish may be continued. Then, as temperatures slowly begin to go back up, and the surface weakens, the frozen status changes, and the big question becomes "When will the Mount be able to get to all its Ports?" This question has actually prompted a contest, with prizes, and much conjecture. However, and herein is the "interesting situation" - in today's rhetoric, will it be permissible to use the phrase "Ice Out", or would that be considered inappropriate, politically. (And if it is, too damn bad, we were here first!)

01-30-2026, 08:37 AM	#2
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and The Taylor Community Posts: 3,384 Thanks: 1,260 Thanked 2,148 Times in 983 Posts	You can find the current status here: https://notams.aim.faa.gov/notamSearch/nsapp.html#/ Location: B18 Alan

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02-01-2026, 01:44 PM	#7
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02-02-2026, 12:35 PM	#10
chaseisland Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Concord, NH Posts: 164 Thanks: 16 Thanked 70 Times in 46 Posts	hard water Call it a change of hard water to complete soft water.

02-02-2026, 12:39 PM	#11
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,191 Thanks: 63 Thanked 764 Times in 497 Posts	COS Change of state.

02-28-2026, 01:10 PM	#13
garysanfran Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: San Francisco/Meredith Posts: 1,639 Thanks: 727 Thanked 705 Times in 363 Posts	Landing on ice...I hope this FB link posts well... https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=1950939909182238 I think Pop's Clam Shell has new hours. Can you fly in, land on ice and get clams? __________________ Gary ~~~~_/) ~~~ ~~~~~~~~

03-04-2026, 06:44 AM	#14
Blue Thunder Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Eastern MA & Frye Island/Sebago Lake, Maine Posts: 958 Thanks: 257 Thanked 351 Times in 158 Posts	Ice runway closed for the season Paul and Jason announced yesterday that the Alton Bay ice runway is closed for the season. They had a tremendous turnout this year with over 1000 planes visiting, smashing the previous record of around 750. It’s a true labor of love for them and all the volunteers that help make everything safe for those flying in and the spectators on the ground. https://fb.watch/FDNHZQoTIr/? __________________ " Live for today because yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come"