Loon: Boyne's Forgotten Resort???

[snowmonster]

Shhh...the parking at South Peak is a secret stash.

Speaking of South Peak, I'm looking forward to the glades there. There was either not enough snow or it was frozen solid when I went. Because of work and budget, I probably will be making more day trips to Loon than the other Boyne resorts. When that happens, expect more Loon TRs.

 

[WJenness]

Shhh...the parking at South Peak is a secret stash.

+eleventy!

-w

 

[RISkier]

To steal a Yogiism: "Nobody goes there anymore, there's too many people."

 

[bigbob]

I'm a big fan of South Peak. I love the lodge, and parking there is so much more convenient than having to hunt down a space between the Octagon and Governor's lodges. The terrain there is mildly entertaining at best, but the new trail they're cutting looks legit....and I will say my friends and I have had a lot of fun racing on Boom Run and Cruiser. Guy on Boom Run gets a 15-20 second head start and it's a close finish.

SHH about the private lodge at South Peak... Note: did not see the shh on the next page!

 

[Edd]

The Governor's lodge is pretty mellow midweek. I was impressed with the South Peak lodge it's first year but I didn't make it there last year. It has the look of a temporary structure. Anyone know of plans to replace it with something more permanent?

Spring is certainly when Loon shines, especially with the crowds fading. The deck and patio at the main lodge doesn't suck. I've mentioned this before but the beer selection at the Octogon is the best I've seen at any ski resort east or west.

 

[riverc0il]

I actually owe Loon a shot since they opened South Peak. Especially if they cut some glades in there. They could do some amazing work with SP if they cut glades between and around all of the trails, that would be pretty sick and really give Cannon a run for its bark. How has South Peak helped with distribution of traffic and crowds? I bet SP is still pretty empty for the most part?

 

[thetrailboss]

I actually owe Loon a shot since they opened South Peak. Especially if they cut some glades in there. They could do some amazing work with SP if they cut glades between and around all of the trails, that would be pretty sick and really give Cannon a run for its bark. How has South Peak helped with distribution of traffic and crowds? I bet SP is still pretty empty for the most part?

I haven't been to SP either but from what I have seen it is what, maybe 3 or 4 additional trails? Regardless, once it is built out it will be a nice area to have in addition to the rest of Loon. Those trails had been cut for quite some time and it was finally nice to see them being used.

 

[Telemechanic]

I was impressed with the South Peak lodge it's first year but I didn't make it there last year. It has the look of a temporary structure. Anyone know of plans to replace it with something more permanent?

The area around the South Peak Lodge (Pemi Base Camp) and the Lincoln Express is owned by Terra Mesa Resort Properties the developers behind the South Peak Resort. The site plan used to show a cluster of Townhouses and a Condo-Hotel around the Lincoln Express now it seems to have less detail:
http://www.southpeakresort.com/location/proposed-site-plan/
The original plan for the site was to develop the old South Mountain Parking area, near the bottom of Escape Route, and move the parking and lodge there but the owners have changed once since 2007 and nothing is certain until its built. The development was at standstill for nearly two years, except for new private homes on previously sold lots, and they've only recently started extending "improvements" along old South Mountain Rd. They're also building a connector lift that unloads next to the Lincoln Express. Its location is circled in red on the site plan. It'll be open this winter.

The addition of South Peak has spread out the Loon weekend crowds. SP is usually very quiet early and late but on a busy weekend the lift has lines for a few hours midday.

 

[WakeboardMom]

The addition of South Peak has spread out the Loon weekend crowds. SP is usually very quiet early and late but on a busy weekend the lift has lines for a few hours midday.

Don't miss the last chair that takes you back-and-forth between the areas. The shuttle sucks!

I like Ripsaw, but I can't understand how it can be designated as a double-black trail. The headwall is tricky if it's icy, but other than that...??

 

[billski]

I like Ripsaw, but I can't understand how it can be designated as a double-black trail.

+1
I've taken blue skiers down it with no issues. Unless they let it get bumped up, I suppose.

 

[St. Bear]

+1
I've taken blue skiers down it with no issues. Unless they let it get bumped up, I suppose.

That was my thinking after going down it, ideally it'll rarely be groomed, but they haven't had ideal conditions to just let it go au natural.

 

[WakeboardMom]

+1
I've taken blue skiers down it with no issues. Unless they let it get bumped up, I suppose.

That was my thinking after going down it, ideally it'll rarely be groomed, but they haven't had ideal conditions to just let it go au natural.

I've never seen it bumped up. I had a ball lapping it on a rainy spring Friday when the place was empty.

 

[billski]

~ Marie
"I ain't here on business, I'm only here for fun..."

Your sig is the antithesis of Donald Trump's, "Nothing personal. It's business."
:???:

 

[WakeboardMom]

Your sig is the antithesis of Donald Trump's, "Nothing personal. It's business."
:???:

Business is business. I have plenty of that in my daily life. This is my escape. I ain't here for business. ; )

PS It's a line from Bruce Springsteen's "Rosalita."

 

[thetrailboss]

Great to see so much interest in Loon! I talked with Johnskiismore this weekend and he said things are going well there. Loon came up in our lunchtime discussion yesterday at Sunday River as well.

 

[Gnarcissaro]

Great to see so much interest in Loon! I talked with Johnskiismore this weekend and he said things are going well there. Loon came up in our lunchtime discussion yesterday at Sunday River as well.

Nothing to see here (there?) Loon's lame, everyone keep hating and move along. :wink: :smile:

 

[Edd]

Nothing to see here (there?) Loon's lame, everyone keep hating and move along. :wink: :smile:

I think you missed the boat on keeping the crowds away. Try Burke.

 

[Smellytele]

Nothing to see here (there?) Loon's lame, everyone keep hating and move along. :wink: :smile:

"nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded " Yogi Berra

 

[Gnarcissaro]

I think you missed the boat on keeping the crowds away. Try Burke.

Ok bud, I understand the weekends there firsthand and so does everyone else. Good thing I work the weekends and ride midweek when nobody's there.

Come the day I'm a weekend warrior? As much fun as I have at LOON, I'll def be heading somewhere else that can handle the volume of skier visits...because Saturday at LOON isn't where I wanna be.

 

[Gnarcissaro]

I like Ripsaw, but I can't understand how it can be designated as a double-black trail. The headwall is tricky if it's icy, but other than that...??

I agree, but here's how. As I'm sure you know, trail ratings are all relative to the other trails at the resort. Ripsaw has the steepest (designated) pitch at the mountain, hence the double black rating. Is it "steep" for most expert skiers? Or compared to other double-blacks in the east? No.