Loon Question

[Sky]

I know some of you folks are real fans of Loon. So my wife has this opportunity with her school to go to Loon on the 18th of the month (Sun). She's not a confident skier but wants to go...and for me to go with her.

So I showed her the trail map to see what it looks like. I'm thinking this would be do-able on any day but a weekend. I anticipate any easy trail will be packed and any more difficult trail will be un-accommodating to slower traffice. So, I'm hoping for the best, but preparing for "less".

How close to the mark am I regarding Loon?

Thanks!

Sky

 

[thetrailboss]

Paging Bob R.....

 

[mckay]

I'm not a real confident skier myself and of all the places I've been Loon is one of the easiest. Most of the blues are pretty flat. Picked Rock, Flying Fox, Blue Ox are all easy. Speakeasy has a couple of steep sections that were all bumped up and pretty tough when I was there during the last snow storm. A nice long easy run is to take Bear Claw to Grand Junction then over to Camp III where you can take Brookway throught the woods back to the Gondola. The first part might be crowded, but not Brookway. I think your wife will love the terrain, if not the crowds.

 

[snoseek]

loon's terrain is really nice and not overly intimidating. The weekend crowds can be an issue, and there are some real nasty intersections. Loon's weekend crowd is a weird mix of speeds, and to me it feels like driving on a busy mass. highway ( guess a lot of them ski like they drive).

 

[riverc0il]

So I showed her the trail map to see what it looks like. I'm thinking this would be do-able on any day but a weekend.

Any day but a weekend is good advice for skiing Loon. Crowds disperse a bit more later in the season, but I have not skied Loon enough to know the exact time frame when weekend skiing starts being acceptable crowd wise. The 18th just might be late enough in the season. Loon has some decent intermediate terrain on skier's left of the Gondola. Just avoid Grand Junction at all costs :-o

 

[Vortex]

The 18th will be fine, plus after ST Patty's Day the crowd if any will come very Late.
If you want.... I will even give her a am tour of where to go, just get me in advance.

Mckay kind of nailed it. That time of the year the East Basin double may or may not be open, The Gondola may be the best choice. Brookway is as easy at it gets and the view is beautiful along the brook. Bear claw anyone can ski,
The lines start to fade abit. The west Basin side has alot of easy Blue trails. May of us hang there mid morning and early afternoon. Even on really warm day the snows hold up well.

Most people who have an issues with Loon relate the issues to a few things not enough good glades,. Depends on your view. Crowds and very few real challenging runs, amount of Bumbed areas. This year alot has been left alone, so no complaints recently. None of these seem like they would come into play Sky for your bride.

 

[hammer]

BobR's the AZ authority on Loon...got some good advice earlier this season for my first trip. I'd like to make it back there next season...just want to try to go on a weekday or a less-crowded weekend (Superbowl Sunday perhaps).

I had some concerns about trail difficulty (need to keep the whole family happy), but I found the greens and blues to be quite doable. Brookway is a very nice mellow trail but it's a bit on the narrow side...completely fine for a novice IMO as long as you don't get people bombing down it.

 

[SIKSKIER]

I would refer to Bob on this also but I'll put in my 2 cents.Sounds like Loon would be right up her alley.The terrain off the Kanc quad is just fun easy cruising.The only stuff that could be considered intimidating at Loon is in the east basin and there are many ways around it.I,myself would not ski Loon on the weekend during the main part of the season cuz I find too many joeys around.I enjoy high speed skiing and it's not conducive to that.I do however get there in the spring and find it enjoyable.Grand Junction on a crowded day can be pretty interesting but it is just that,a junction.Not trying to sound sexist but the wives do seem to like the terrain at Loon.Thumbs up here!

 

[Vortex]

Ya grand junction. I have seen the shirts that say I survived grand junction. Part of the reason I suggested the West Basin and Brook way on the other side. No need to visit the danger zone. I'm not really an authority... just I ski 35+ days plus here every year. I bought a place in the area. I'm bias I like it alot here. My kids were beginners once and made it fine.

 

[Sky]

Thanks All! Mrs Sky has pledged to get onto snow this weekend (@ Wa) and get mentally ready for Loon. Based on this guidance...I'm sure she'll have fun.

Great point about the 18th! Prolly lots of folks not skiing Sunday after ripping it up for St Patty!

Again, thanks for the info. And Bob...if you're skiing ont he 18th...I'd love the opportunity to meet you. I'll PM you with my cell#.

Sorry I won't make the Cannon trip guys. Too much work. I don't think I've taken a mid-week day yet this season. Really hoping to get to C on an upcoming Tuesday.

I was really hoping to make it into an AndyZee vid this year. :<

 

[Vortex]

Got your PM and responded Sky, Sorry it won't work out.

 

[SnowRider]

For Expert Skiing stay in the East Basin or the North Peak. The North Peak quad sometimes gets crowded but the east basin double is prime. Literally no lift lines ever. Aviod the gondola and the kanc quad gets busy.

Garnd juntion is just scary. Ecspecially if you are trying to traverse it. If you like bumps I think rolling bear is a good time and same with the flumes. For blues I recommend the speakeasy's and haulback. The steepest trail there is probobly Angel Street.

Overall I like the mountain but hate the lines. Trails never seem to be to crowded.