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Loon as seen from South Kinsman (2011)
Loon Mountain Resort
Lincoln, New Hampshire
Status: Open
First Season:1966-67
Vertical Drop:2100 feet
Standing Lifts:1 gondola, 8 pack, 3 high speed quads, 1 quad, 3 doubles, surface lifts
Past Lifts:1 gondola, 1 high speed quad, 2 triples, 3 doubles, surface lifts
Left: Loon as seen from South Kinsman (2011)
Recent NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News:
8/24/2023: Loon Unveils Map of New Timbertown Expan...
8/6/2023: New Hampshire Construction Projects Prog...
6/11/2023: Mid-June 2023 Lift Construction Roundup
5/7/2023: Early May 2023 Lift Construction Roundup
SkiNewEngland.net Profile
Located in Lincoln, New Hampshire, Loon Mountain Resort is one of the largest and most popular ski areas in New England.

Development of Loon

In the early 1960s, old mill town Lincoln, New Hampshire was on the verge of a drastic change. Spurred by President Dwight Eisenhower's Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956, Interstate 93 was being constructed from Boston to Lincoln. At the same time, the winter sport of alpine skiing was exploding in popularity.

President Eisenhower's former Chief of Staff Sherman Adams grew up in Lincoln and went on to become President of the Dartmouth Outing Club and Governor of New Hampshire. Following his time in Washington, he returned to the White Mountains in search of a mountain on which to build a ski area.

While Sawyer River Skiway looked like a compelling place to build a ski area, his longtime home of Lincoln seemed more promising due to improvements to the Kancamagus Highway, the expansion of Interstate 93, and the urging of his wife Rachel. The $700,000 project started in the fall of 1965 with a trail and lift system designed by Sel Hannah, who aimed to provide novice and intermediate terrain primarily served by what would be New Hampshire's third gondola. While some had suggested building expert terrain east of the gondola, Hannah claimed the area would be too steep to hold snow.

A veteran of the logging industry, Adams was hands on during construction, working nearly every day on the mountain. Adams even worked in a neck brace for weeks after being hit by a tree trunk in a dynamite mishap. Logging was handled by French Canadians in just two months, as the 66 year old pushed them by being "the first on the mountain in the morning and last off at night." Adams often lamented, "I'm just a damned lumberjack."

Loon Opens

The Loon Gondola in the circa 1966-67
The Loon Gondola in the circa 1966-67

Alongside Waterville Valley, Loon debuted in December of 1966 with a dozen trails spanning 80 acres, served by a four person gondola and two double chairlifts. The 1,744 vertical foot gondola opened on December 27. The new area featured a Carroll Reed ski shop and a Jon Putnam ski school.

A new 45 room hotel debuted for the 1967-68 season adjacent to the base area, complete with a restaurant, lounge, and indoor swimming pool.

After sometimes being referred to as 'Medicare Mountain' due to its largely intermediate and novice trail network, Loon expanded into the East Bowl (later known as the East Basin) for the 1968-69 season. A Hall double chairlift was installed to serve three new trails, as well as to provide an alternative way to get to the summit.

The 1970s Loon base area
The 1970s Loon base area

Following a rough winter in 1969-70, Loon installed the first portion of its snowmaking system. Billed as a 'computer-controlled automatic operation,' the initial $200,000 installation covered 23 acres. Other changes for the 1970-71 season included the hiring of Colby Russell as General Manager and John Wilson as ski school director, taking the place of Jon Putnam who decided to return to school.

The snowmaking system was expanded to 40 acres for the 1971-72 season. The capstone of the expanded system was a prayer rug with a snowflake and arrow design, created for Adams' office by his wife and daughter.

To help transport skiers from distant parking spaces to the base lodge, as well as to provide an off season attraction, Adams acquired a wood burning locomotive named Old Pufferbelly in the early 1970s.

Expansion West, North, and South

The Loon Gondola (1970s)
The Loon Gondola (1970s)

Peek'n Peak and Gore Mountain manager Phil Gravink was named General Manager of Loon in 1977. The area's next big expansion took place starting in 1978-79, when the first phase of the West Basin was rolled out. Initially consisting of new terrain served by a new chairlift, a base lodge was constructed at the foot of the chairlift for the 1979-80 season, followed by a second West Basin chairlift for 1980-81.

For the 1984-85 season, the $1.7 million North Peak area debuted, served by a triple chairlift. The new area also featured snowmaking and a lodge. Meanwhile, condominium development was in full swing with 730 units built by that time.

Additional lower mountain chairlifts were installed for the 1985-86 and 1986-87 seasons. The 1986-87 season wound up being bittersweet, starting with the death of founder Sherman Adams in October. A few months later, on March 10, Loon crossed the 300,000 skier visit mark for its first time ever, putting it neck and neck with rival Waterville Valley.

The two decade old gondola was replaced with a new Doppelmayr model for the 1988-89 season. Also around this time, Loon was working on what originally was to be a $27 million expansion project that included 7 lifts and 39 trails. While the 1986 proposal was scaled down in 1990, the eventual South Peak project was delayed for nearly two decades due to continued red tape, personal threats, and lawsuits.

Phil Gravink departed in 1991, initially for Cannon and Sunapee and later Attitash. Sherman Adams' son Sam took on the title of President at Loon.

New Ownership

The Lincoln Express Quad under construction on South Peak (2007)
The Lincoln Express Quad under construction on South Peak (2007)

Further modernization efforts took pace in the 1990s, including the replacement of the West Basin lifts with the area's first high speed detachable quad in 1995. Night tubing was added for the 1996-97 season. On February 26, 1998, Booth Creek acquired Loon Mountain for $29 million, bringing it under the same ownership as Cranmore and Waterville Valley. Longtime Loon employee Rick Kelley was named General Manager.

North Peak received a new high speed detachable quad for the 2004-05 season. In January of 2007, Booth Creek sold Loon to CNL Income Properties, Inc., retaining operational control. Later that year, Boyne USA Resorts took over operational control and opened the long awaited South Peak complex. Though slowed due to economic issues, improvements were gradually deployed at South Peak in subsequent years. Meanwhile, the snowmaking system was greatly improved with more snowguns and a greater overall pumping capacity, allowing Loon to be a state leader in terms of early season terrain open.

In June of 2014, the proposed new beginner area at South Peak was approved by the White Mountain National Forest, paving the way for future expansion.

In April 2017, Ski Resort Holdings acquired the assets of Loon from CNL. Later that year, Jay Scambio was named General Manager of Loon. In May 2018, Boyne purchased the Ski Resort Holdings stake in Loon, placing the assets and operational control under one entity for the first time in a decade.

Kanc8 (December 2021)
Kanc8 (December 2021)

In May 2019, Loon broke ground on a network of downhill mountain bike trails. The first phase of the project debuted in September, served by the Seven Brothers chairlift.

In January 2020, Loon announced it would be installing New England's first eight person chairlift in the West Basin. Though the lift was purchased, construction was postponed for a year due to COVID-19 restrictions. The lift debuted in December 2021.

NewEnglandSkiConditions.com Reports
Month Average Percent of Terrain Open
November16%    (17 reports)16 Open
December61%    (46 reports)61 Open
January80%    (50 reports)80 Open
February92%    (32 reports)92 Open
March87%    (46 reports)87 Open
April52%    (27 reports)52 Open
Recent Conditions Reports
Mar. 14, 2024 by nordicgal
Frozen Granular, Spring Snow
Mar. 10, 2024 by rocket21
Wet Packed Powder, Variable Conditions
Feb. 25, 2024 by bostonbob
Loose Granular, Frozen Granular
Feb. 22, 2024 by kbgkgould
Loose Granular, Packed Powder
Jan. 20, 2024 by snowphoenix
Packed Powder, Variable Conditions
Loon Mountain Resort on NewEnglandSkiConditions.com


NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News
Recent Articles
Loon Unveils Map of New Timbertown Expansion - Aug. 24, 2023
New Hampshire Construction Projects Progressing - Aug. 6, 2023
Mid-June 2023 Lift Construction Roundup - Jun. 11, 2023
Early May 2023 Lift Construction Roundup - May. 7, 2023
Loon Mountain Coaster Proposal Approved by Forest Service - Mar. 20, 2023
Loon South Peak Expansion Underway - Mar. 4, 2023
Loon Announces South Peak Expansion - Oct. 24, 2022
Loon and Waterville Valley Lift Projects Taking Shape - Oct. 23, 2022
New Hampshire Lift Construction Makes Progress - Oct. 1, 2022
New Hampshire Lift Construction Projects Progressing - Aug. 16, 2022
Loon Mountain Resort NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News Page


Expansion History
Project
Season
East Basin
Open
1968-69
West Basin
Open
1978-79
North Peak
Open
1984-85
South Peak
Open
2007-08
Beginner Area at South Mountain
Proposed
2023-24


Image Gallery
1966-67 Eastern Ski Map1967-68 Eastern Ski Map1970-71 Eastern Ski Map1971-72 Eastern Ski Map1977-78 Ski The White Mountains BrochureLoon Aerial Imagery, 1993 vs. 2011
View All Images in Loon Mountain Resort Image Gallery


Lifts
Click on lift name for information and photos
Standing Lifts
Installed
Installation of the East Basin Double in 1968
East Basin Double
Hall-Doppelmayr-CTEC
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1968-69
The Loon Gondola top terminal in 2008
Gondola
Doppelmayr
Gondola - 4 Person
1988-89
The top terminal (December 2021)
Kanc 8
Doppelmayr
Chairlift - Octo - Detachable
2021-22
The Kissing Cousin Double in 2007
Kissing Cousin Double
CTEC
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1986-87
Construction of the Lincoln Express in 2007
Lincoln Express
Doppelmayr-CTEC
Chairlift - Quad - Detachable
2007-08
The Little Sister Double base terminal (front-left) circa the 1970s
Little Sister Double
Hall-CTEC
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1966-67
The North Peak Express Quad in 2007
North Peak Express
Doppelmayr-CTEC
Chairlift - Quad - Detachable
2004-05
Construction of the Riverside Connector in 2010
Riverside Connector
Doppelmayr
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
2010-11
The top terminal (November 2022)
Seven Brothers Quad
Doppelmayr
Chairlift - Quad - Detachable
2022-23
Timbertown Quad
Doppelmayr
Chairlift - Quad - Fixed
2023-24
The Tote Road Quad east terminal in 2008
Tote Road Quad
Doppelmayr-CTEC
Chairlift - Quad - Fixed
2007-08

Past Lifts
Seasons
The Loon Gondola in the 1960s
Gondola
PHB
Gondola - 4 Person
1966-67
-
1987-88
The Kancamagus Quad in 2007
Kancamagus Express
Doppelmayr
Chairlift - Quad - Detachable
1995-96
-
2020-21
The North Peak Triple circa the 1980s
North Peak Triple
CTEC
Chairlift - Triple - Fixed
1984-85
-
2003-04
The Seven Brothers Double base terminal (center-middle) circa the 1970s
Seven Brothers Double
Hall
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1966-67
-
1984-85
The base terminal (December 2017)
Seven Brothers Triple
CTEC
Chairlift - Triple - Fixed
1985-86
-
2021-22
The lift line circa the 1970s
West Basin
Hall
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1978-79
-
1994-95
The West Basin Doubles circa the 1980s
West Basin II
Hall
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1980-81
-
1994-95


Maps
2023-24 Loon Trail Map
1967-68 Loon Mountain Trail Map1968-69 Loon Mountain Trail Map1971-72 Loon Mountain Trail Map1980-81 Loon Mountain Trail Map1985-86 Loon Trail Map1996-97 Loon Mountain Trail Map
View All Loon Mountain Resort Trail Maps

Year by Year History
Adult Weekend Full Day Lift Ticket; Adult Full Price Unlimited Season Pass
2020s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
2023-24$139.002023-24 Ticket Price Graph$1619.002023-24 Season Pass Price Graph11.6 daysNovember 222023-24 Skier Visit Graph
2022-23$129.002022-23 Ticket Price Graph2022-23 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 23April 162022-23 Skier Visit Graph
2021-22$120.002021-22 Ticket Price Graph$1599.002021-22 Season Pass Price Graph13.3 daysNovember 26April 172021-22 Skier Visit Graph
2020-21$104.002020-21 Ticket Price Graph2020-21 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 30April 182020-21 Skier Visit Graph
2019-20$104.002019-20 Ticket Price Graph$1419.002019-20 Season Pass Price Graph13.6 daysNovember 15March 152019-20 Skier Visit Graph
2010s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
2018-19$98.002018-19 Ticket Price Graph$1389.002018-19 Season Pass Price Graph14.2 daysNovember 16April 142018-19 Skier Visit Graph
2017-18$96.002017-18 Ticket Price Graph$1349.002017-18 Season Pass Price Graph14.1 daysNovember 17April 152017-18 Skier Visit Graph
2016-17$95.002016-17 Ticket Price Graph$1309.002016-17 Season Pass Price Graph13.8 daysNovember 23April 162016-17 Skier Visit Graph
2015-16$85.002015-16 Ticket Price Graph$1245.002015-16 Season Pass Price Graph14.6 daysNovember 25April 10325,0002015-16 Skier Visit Graph
2014-15$83.002014-15 Ticket Price Graph$1245.002014-15 Season Pass Price Graph15.0 daysNovember 15April 19333,8092014-15 Skier Visit Graph
2013-14$81.002013-14 Ticket Price Graph$1210.002013-14 Season Pass Price Graph14.9 daysNovember 8April 20322,6982013-14 Skier Visit Graph
2012-13$79.002012-13 Ticket Price Graph$1175.002012-13 Season Pass Price Graph14.9 daysNovember 16April 14427,6112012-13 Skier Visit Graph
2011-12$78.002011-12 Ticket Price Graph$1149.002011-12 Season Pass Price Graph14.7 daysNovember 20April 10320,5172011-12 Skier Visit Graph
2010-11$76.002010-11 Ticket Price Graph$1079.002010-11 Season Pass Price Graph14.2 daysNovember 23April 17386,3062010-11 Skier Visit Graph
2009-10$73.002009-10 Ticket Price Graph$1049.002009-10 Season Pass Price Graph14.4 daysDecember 11April 10360,6842009-10 Skier Visit Graph
2000s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
2008-09$73.002008-09 Ticket Price Graph$1049.002008-09 Season Pass Price Graph14.4 days362,0532008-09 Skier Visit Graph
2007-08$69.002007-08 Ticket Price Graph$849.002007-08 Season Pass Price Graph12.3 daysApril 21425,4332007-08 Skier Visit Graph
2006-07$67.002006-07 Ticket Price Graph$569.002006-07 Season Pass Price Graph8.5 daysDecember 8April 15355,0132006-07 Skier Visit Graph
2005-06$65.002005-06 Ticket Price Graph2005-06 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 25April 17301,0002005-06 Skier Visit Graph
2004-05$59.002004-05 Ticket Price Graph2004-05 Season Pass Price GraphApril 17301,0002004-05 Skier Visit Graph
2003-04$54.002003-04 Ticket Price Graph$459.002003-04 Season Pass Price Graph8.5 daysApril 18322,0002003-04 Skier Visit Graph
2002-03$54.002002-03 Ticket Price Graph$489.002002-03 Season Pass Price Graph9.1 daysNovember 15April 20359,0002002-03 Skier Visit Graph
2001-02$51.002001-02 Ticket Price Graph$489.002001-02 Season Pass Price Graph9.6 days301,0002001-02 Skier Visit Graph
2000-01$49.002000-01 Ticket Price Graph2000-01 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 22April 29385,0002000-01 Skier Visit Graph
1999-00$47.001999-00 Ticket Price Graph1999-00 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 19April 23304,0001999-00 Skier Visit Graph
1990s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
1998-99$46.001998-99 Ticket Price Graph1998-99 Season Pass Price GraphApril 11297,0001998-99 Skier Visit Graph
1997-98$45.001997-98 Ticket Price Graph$1080.001997-98 Season Pass Price Graph24.0 daysNovember 14April 19350,0001997-98 Skier Visit Graph
1996-97$45.001996-97 Ticket Price Graph$1080.001996-97 Season Pass Price Graph24.0 daysMay 5340,0771996-97 Skier Visit Graph
1995-961995-96 Ticket Price Graph1995-96 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 10337,5031995-96 Skier Visit Graph
1994-95$41.001994-95 Ticket Price Graph1994-95 Season Pass Price GraphMay 1301,5001994-95 Skier Visit Graph
1993-941993-94 Ticket Price Graph1993-94 Season Pass Price GraphApril 18331,0001993-94 Skier Visit Graph
1992-93$38.001992-93 Ticket Price Graph1992-93 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 14347,0001992-93 Skier Visit Graph
1991-92$36.001991-92 Ticket Price Graph1991-92 Season Pass Price Graph340,0001991-92 Skier Visit Graph
1990-91$38.001990-91 Ticket Price Graph1990-91 Season Pass Price Graph279,0001990-91 Skier Visit Graph
1989-90$36.001989-90 Ticket Price Graph1989-90 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 22April 22344,6461989-90 Skier Visit Graph
1980s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
1988-89$35.001988-89 Ticket Price Graph1988-89 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 19331,7001988-89 Skier Visit Graph
1987-88$32.001987-88 Ticket Price Graph1987-88 Season Pass Price Graph329,1381987-88 Skier Visit Graph
1986-87$28.001986-87 Ticket Price Graph1986-87 Season Pass Price Graph343,7001986-87 Skier Visit Graph
1985-861985-86 Ticket Price Graph1985-86 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 27April 6279,2491985-86 Skier Visit Graph
1984-85$22.001984-85 Ticket Price Graph$410.001984-85 Season Pass Price Graph18.6 daysNovember 23232,5781984-85 Skier Visit Graph
1983-84$20.001983-84 Ticket Price Graph$490.001983-84 Season Pass Price Graph24.5 days188,0001983-84 Skier Visit Graph
1982-83$20.001982-83 Ticket Price Graph1982-83 Season Pass Price Graph146,1581982-83 Skier Visit Graph
1981-82$18.001981-82 Ticket Price Graph1981-82 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 27222,6021981-82 Skier Visit Graph
1980-811980-81 Ticket Price Graph1980-81 Season Pass Price Graph140,0231980-81 Skier Visit Graph
1979-80$14.001979-80 Ticket Price Graph1979-80 Season Pass Price GraphApril 6126,7301979-80 Skier Visit Graph
1970s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
1978-79$13.001978-79 Ticket Price Graph1978-79 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 1124,6201978-79 Skier Visit Graph
1977-78$11.001977-78 Ticket Price Graph1977-78 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 9130,0001977-78 Skier Visit Graph
1976-77$10.001976-77 Ticket Price Graph1976-77 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 41976-77 Skier Visit Graph
1975-76$10.001975-76 Ticket Price Graph1975-76 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 61975-76 Skier Visit Graph
1974-75$10.001974-75 Ticket Price Graph1974-75 Season Pass Price Graph1974-75 Skier Visit Graph
1973-74$10.001973-74 Ticket Price Graph1973-74 Season Pass Price Graph1973-74 Skier Visit Graph
1972-73$10.001972-73 Ticket Price Graph1972-73 Season Pass Price Graph1972-73 Skier Visit Graph
1971-72$10.001971-72 Ticket Price Graph1971-72 Season Pass Price Graph1971-72 Skier Visit Graph
1970-71$9.001970-71 Ticket Price Graph1970-71 Season Pass Price Graph1970-71 Skier Visit Graph
1969-70$9.001969-70 Ticket Price Graph1969-70 Season Pass Price Graph1969-70 Skier Visit Graph
1960s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
1968-69$7.501968-69 Ticket Price Graph$150.001968-69 Season Pass Price Graph20.0 days1968-69 Skier Visit Graph
1967-68$7.501967-68 Ticket Price Graph$150.001967-68 Season Pass Price Graph20.0 daysNovember 181967-68 Skier Visit Graph
1966-67$7.001966-67 Ticket Price Graph$135.001966-67 Season Pass Price Graph19.3 daysDecember 271966-67 Skier Visit Graph


Visitor Memories
"I worked at Loon in the 80s ,worked at the top of the first gondala. Smitty hughs was my boss Had good times there.but now live in STL.mo. "
James Dauphine, Jan. 4, 2022
"I was born in 61, some find early life memories of my dad teaching me to ski at loon,🤗"
Edward Sefner, May. 11, 2021
"I worked at Loon from ‘67 -‘69. I taught in the ski school with Jon Putnam and coached kids in the race program. During the off season I worked on the trail crew, did construction and anything Sherman Adams needed done. It was the beginning of my 40 year career in skiing. Great memories."
Chip Woods, Dec. 23, 2018
"I so loved Loon Mountain when it first opened. I was six years old our first winter going there. My parents were avid skiers. They would drive my brother, sister and I to Loon early on Saturday morning. We would ski our hearts out the entire day, and then get back the back for the very long ride home. Then we would do the same thing again on Sunday. Thx mom and dad! I have the best memories of those days!"
Tang Boche, Oct. 8, 2015
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External Links
  • Loon Mountain - official site
  • Last updated: December 21, 2021

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