{"product_id":"belknap-area-laconia-ski-jumper-c-1950s","title":"Belknap Area, Laconia, Ski Jumper — c. 1950s","description":"\u003cp\u003eA vintage Belknap Area ski patch from Laconia, New Hampshire, estimated to date from the 1950s — the name Gunstock carried before 1962 — featuring a jumper in full flight over two spruces, skis flat and parallel. BELKNAP AREA across a stitched sky, red-bordered shield in green and pale blue. Somebody chose dark green for every line of the drawing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe jumper is the point. The Belknap Mountains Recreation Area opened on February 28, 1937, with an Eastern amateur ski jumping meet. By 1949 its 40-meter hill was hosting a competition in August, and about 8,000 people came to watch men fly off a hill in summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBefore chairlifts were common and snowmaking was a word, this is what a ski area sold: spectacle, a long drive, and a cold seat in the stands. The patch was the souvenir. Jumping was the sport that drew crowds before downhill did.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe area is in Gilford; the patch gives the bigger town next door. The name changed to Gunstock in 1962. This patch didn't.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEmbroidered on twill, merrowed edge. Photos are the condition report.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ropetow Vintage Co.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57109894889777,"sku":"RV-NH-142","price":135.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0996\/2048\/7473\/files\/gunstock-belknap-16.jpg?v=1792925850","url":"https:\/\/ropetowvintage.com\/products\/belknap-area-laconia-ski-jumper-c-1950s","provider":"Ropetow Vintage","version":"1.0","type":"link"}