Loon this Saturday?

[hammer]

Just wondering how it will be...have some passes to burn and there's still time, but Sundays are out for the month because of family obligations. Would rather not burn any more vacation days at this point either unless there was another chance of a powder day...

 

[puckoach]

Saturday's are the busiest day at Loon. Can't say myself, as I have never done one.

This site doesn't cater to a lot of Loon fans to begin with. But, I'm guessing that many here will warn you off. However, with the understanding "Free is for ME!"

 

[hammer]

Saturday's are the busiest day at Loon. Can't say myself, as I have never done one.

This site doesn't cater to a lot of Loon fans to begin with. But, I'm guessing that many here will warn you off. However, with the understanding "Free is for ME!"

I've been to Loon several times and realize that the crowd factor can be high. It's the right distance for a day trip, however. In any case the passes are already purchased, so I'm more concerned about conditions.

 

[steve22]

I have a place in Lincoln and ski Loon a fair amount. It might not be too crowded now that school vaca is over...but I could be wrong. If you do go, make sure to avoid the main base area and use South Peak. Then head over to North Peak. Avoid the gondola at all costs!!
If you need to get to Loon Peak use the double. It's slow but Sat will be nice!

Have fun...I'll be at Cannon!

 

[MadPadraic]

Are they WBUR passes?

Unless it freezes to blue ice Friday night, it will probably be very very good. Loon has a lot going for it on a warm March day.

 

[snowmonster]

I have a place in Lincoln and ski Loon a fair amount. It might not be too crowded now that school vaca is over...but I could be wrong. If you do go, make sure to avoid the main base area and use South Peak. Then head over to North Peak. Avoid the gondola at all costs!!
If you need to get to Loon Peak use the double. It's slow but Sat will be nice!

Have fun...I'll be at Cannon!

That's a good plan to ski Loon. Much as I treated the South Peak parking as a secret stash, the cat's out of the bag and it gets pretty crowded in that lot. I arrived late once and had to park in the South Peak overflow parking (the upside is that you can ski back to your car). Park South and head to North Peak and stay there.

 

[Edd]

I swear I've read this somewhere but was the gondola put in because of wind resistance? Can't remember.

The line on that thing is long and neverending which is a bit of a shame because it acceses a big chunk of terrain. I'd be curious to see what a six-pack would do in it's place.

North Peak is nice but I get bored skiing over there after awhile. I haven't skied there this year but I've seen Loon not open South Peak on some weekdays, and yet the gondola line is still quite long.

I'd rather ski off the Seven Brothers chair or the Kancamagus quad than deal with the gondola shit show.

 

[2knees]

Gnarcissario seems to know.

They seeded lower rumrunne last
time I was there. You should check it out.

 

[riverc0il]

You'll probably be fine. Second weekend of March after the last vacation periods in a bad snow year and its been 50-60 in the metro areas. I bet a lot of folks that would normally ski will stay home for the rest of the season or start doing spring stuff. Though Saturday is going to be colder and perhaps with some snow, but the spring bug is already setting in. It won't be uncrowded, but it won't be Loon at its worst.

 

[hammer]

Any thoughts on conditions? Will the sun be strong enough to soften up the snow even with the cold temps? If so any suggestions on trails and times would be appreciated.

 

[xwhaler]

I skied Loon last Sat as part of the Briefcase Race to benefit Faulkner Breast Cancer Research.
Free ticket, breaskfast/lunch was comped and a bunch of swag...hosted by Mike Lynch of WCVB....good times. Hadn't been to Loon in 6+ yrs and w/o the benefit of the free ticket I never would have gone but I enjoyed myself.

Did the obligatory 2 timed runs down the course then skied with some co-workers. North Peak had great wall to wall coverage, bumps on the liftline trail. Did ride the gondola once, 10 min line at most...the cloudy skies and sleet to start the day kept folks away I think.

Sun came out in the afternoon, didnt make it over to South Peak but had some co workers tell me it was real nice. I think as others have stated, "joe average" skier which is the demographic Loon generally caters to has already started thinking about golf clubs, yard work, and pulling the boat out of storage. Especially with this warm weather pattern we are in right now.
I think Loon has enough lifts and variety that you can pick your way around the crowds.

Have fun out there!

 

[hammer]

Just checked the snow report today and they are saying packed powder surfaces... :blink:

After yesterday's temperatures? Didn't it get up well into the 50s?

 

[WJenness]

Just checked the snow report today and they are saying packed powder surfaces... :blink:

After yesterday's temperatures? Didn't it get up well into the 50s?

Their twitter account has it quite different:

Loon Mountain ‏ @loonmtn

#loonsnow spring yesterday, winter today! We picked up 2 inches last night! Loose & frozen granular, partly cloudy, temps in the 30s!

If you can, go... Loon does a good job grooming, so even if the natural stuff doesn't soften, the groomers will be decent, even after a thaw-freeze.

I don't know if it's just been my luck or what, but the only time I've ever considered loon to be overcrowded was the one time I went on the Saturday of MLK weekend. Every other time I've been there it hasn't been bad. Just stay away from the Gondola, (and the Kanc quad) and you will barely have to wait in a line all day.

-w

 

[skiahman]

Skied Loon on Wed the 7th. Good coverage from North Peak to South Peak with the exception Cruiser on SP. Some bare spots showing but nothing major. Otherwise there was plenty of snow. Got to 55 degrees and the snow was grabby. With a 2nd day of 50+ degree weather on Thurs and the return of cold air today, conditions will obviously be firm and fast. Loon grooms the daylights out of the place so the skiing should be fine.
Agree the crowds should be manageable if you follow the plan. Park at SP, head over to NP, avoid the gondi and enjoy sunny slow rides on Seven Brothers as needed.
Regardless of conditions it's still a day on the boards and nothing trumps that. Enjoy! And watch out for NH Staties-they were out in force on Wed having a field day.

 

[neil]

I skied Loon last Sat as part of the Briefcase Race to benefit Faulkner Breast Cancer Research.
Free ticket, breaskfast/lunch was comped and a bunch of swag...hosted by Mike Lynch of WCVB....good times. Hadn't been to Loon in 6+ yrs and w/o the benefit of the free ticket I never would have gone but I enjoyed myself.

Did the obligatory 2 timed runs down the course then skied with some co-workers. North Peak had great wall to wall coverage, bumps on the liftline trail. Did ride the gondola once, 10 min line at most...the cloudy skies and sleet to start the day kept folks away I think.

Sun came out in the afternoon, didnt make it over to South Peak but had some co workers tell me it was real nice. I think as others have stated, "joe average" skier which is the demographic Loon generally caters to has already started thinking about golf clubs, yard work, and pulling the boat out of storage. Especially with this warm weather pattern we are in right now.
I think Loon has enough lifts and variety that you can pick your way around the crowds.

Have fun out there!

Yeah I was there that day too. Ended up dragging someone there kicking and screaming (because Cannon was closed). Turned out to be a great day. Not busy at all and the snow and weather were excellent.

 

[snowmonster]

When it gets warm, head to Camp III. You won't regret it.

 

[hammer]

Well it was crowded (almost worse than the time we went during a holiday week) and frozen granular conditions were the order of the day. :x There was some minor softening at the base areas but it seemed too cold for much more.

To avoid the crowds, South Peak was the place to be. Skidding down FG was just not my idea of a good time...been there done that enough times this season. I did try to do some work on technique but my attempts at a Thousand Steps drill did not work out and I tried making more conscious efforts at pole plants and bringing my hands together in between but that didn't feel right either.

I should get a lesson in next season after I get my ski legs back. I know some people can translate what they read into an action but I think I'll do better with an instructor and some on the snow feedback.

First time that we ate at the summit cafe. Think it's been said before but it's worth it to go there...the jerk chicken wraps are very good.

Bumps looked scraped in the troughs but nice on the tops. For those with the inclination and ability, tomorrow should be prime time to hit them. With any hope the crowds will be fewer.

I do like Loon but Saturdays are just too crazy.

Edit: One nice thing to see was that the DW made her way down Upper Flume, which was intermittent FG and LG. Have to admit that she handled it better than I did. She really improved her skiing this season.

 

[puckoach]

Unless it freezes to blue ice Friday night, it will probably be very very good. Loon has a lot going for it on a warm March day.

I agree, as I have been sking there during 3rd week in March and beyond, for many years. (hockey guy, only time I have off)

However, I don't expect long skiing days. First chair a must. Hope for 2pm, settle for 1pm.

Deck beverages a plus !!!

 

[Edd]

Deck beverages are mandatory !!!

fixed

 

[redwinger]

Funny, I was there on Sunday (the 11th) and it it was pretty good. Snow was fast and a little icy in the AM but softened up nicely around 10am.

Lines weren't horrible, but more than I'm used to (typically ski Cannon.)

I'm normally not a drinker when I ski, but when you're stuck on groomers all day they do seem mandatory.