The ice runway at the Alton Bay Seaplane Base (B18) in New Hampshire opened for the season Jan. 9 — two weeks earlier than last year, thanks to colder temperatures, Paul LaRochelle, the airport’s volunteer manager, said in a report at AOPA.org.
The ice runway at the south end of Lake Winnipesaukee has been plowed to 2,600 feet long and 90 feet wide, with a taxiway on the east side, according to LaRochelle, who notes this year’s Winter Festival is slated for Sunday, Feb. 14.
Read the full report here.
Paul has done a fantastic jobing keeping this runway open. Thank you Paul! I hope not only the local people of Alton Bay but others too who benefit from this runway give him the thanks he deserves. Talk about a stimulus package…I have been there with a crew of up to 17 people from Brookline, NH (NH16) for the past 3 weekends. On Jan. 23rd we took over the little Cafe, I mean took over all the booths and some bar stools with our crew that left many other pilot hanging out the door. This past Sunday 2 guys flew in from Allentown, PA just to land on the ice! My personal thanks to Paul for a job well done!! Don’t forget to stop by the store next to the Cafe to get your ice certificate and a special Alton Bay Ice landing hat. Gary