South mountain at Loon

[ice schusser]

Anyone know the new trail names for the expansion?

 

[ctenidae]

From left to right, Overcrowded, Icy Hell, and Long and Boring.

/not a fan of Loon.

 

[Greg]

From left to right, Overcrowded, Icy Hell, and Long and Boring.

/not a fan of Loon.

You haven't spent enough time skiing the east basin trails or the seeded bumps on Rumrunner and Flume. Loon is underrated.

 

[snoseek]

You haven't spent enough time skiing the east basin trails or the seeded bumps on Rumrunner and Flume. Loon is underrated.

i like the mountain a lot, but wish the crowds were smaller. its even busy midweek sometimes.

 

[ctenidae]

You haven't spent enough time skiing the east basin trails or the seeded bumps on Rumrunner and Flume. Loon is underrated.

Probably, but I've been there 3 times, and all three qualify as some of my worst ski days. I just don't like the place. The vibe is wrong, or something.

 

[Greg]

i like the mountain a lot, but wish the crowds were smaller. its even busy midweek sometimes.

Location location location. Boyne should do very well with Loon. Knowing how to work the crowds there is almost a necessity. I've skied a number of midweek days there and even midweek I avoid the gondola unless it's the first run.

 

[Vortex]

You can work around the crowds. You can avoid some of it by knowing the mountain. Parking was one of my major complaints here. I had to buy a parkign pass so wife would not need to be shuttled in in... she arrived at 9.30 am. The new south mountain will allow the later arrivers to park there and get on the lift there. Loon to its credit makes a ton of snow and grooms well. I like the region better in the summer than the winter though. The new section of mountain may or may not help congestion. We shall she. Before Boyne purchased them the Maine resorts were a better value IMO. Know you can ski here and Maine. Even better value.

 

[Greg]

Probably, but I've been there 3 times, and all three qualify as some of my worst ski days. I just don't like the place. The vibe is wrong, or something.

Pick a midweek day. Start with a top to bottom first thing on Speakeasy. Then try to get back to the summit and hit the Angel Street headwall and take the North Peak quad back up. Hit Walking Boss and Flume. If the double is open, just ride that all day and ski Triple Trouble, Dipper and Angel Street. Another option is to start on the Kanc Quad first thing in the morning and then hit North Peak after an hour or so. Looking for some trees? Check out Mike's Way. Like most places, the mountain is dead after 2 pm. Anyway, the place can be crowded, but the terrain is there:

Some of the best seeded bumps anywhere:

Triple Trouble:

Mike's Way:

Great views:

One thing I hope Boyne does with Loon is run the East basin double more often, i.e. midweek. That's the best lift there.

 

[Talisman]

Back to the new trails...

I have skied them back in the days when the trails were first cut and Loon would allow people to ski them without penalty.

 

[wa-loaf]

Back to the new trails...

I have skied them back in the days when the trails were first cut and Loon would allow people to ski them without penalty.

yes, and what do you think about 'em?

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

How much does a lift ticket at Loon cost? Any AZ discount?

 

[Talisman]

yes, and what do you think about 'em?

Getting from the main area over to the south trails was a flat slog, but great veiws into the valley and the town of Lincoln. At the time the trails were all natural snow, no grooming and had some stumps, so skiing them was a fun challenge. One trail, furthest skier's right, had a cut back so you could get back to the base area with some skating, the others took you to a road where a shuttle bus ran occaisionally. I like skiing over there when the main area got too crowded or icy, but a lap took awhile especially if the snow was crusty.

I used to get SkiNH discount tickets to Loon so skiing there was pretty cheap and with an early start parking and getting fresh snow conditions I thought it was an OK place to ski.

 

[eatskisleep]

I don't recall exact costs, but I know it is a ripoff.

 

[riverc0il]

You haven't spent enough time skiing the east basin trails or the seeded bumps on Rumrunner and Flume. Loon is underrated.

But it certainly is overcrowded and icy as hell, particularly on the weekend. East Basin has good terrain for sure, though. Flying Fox and Picked Rock from the top are excellent blue square rollers. Nice mountain, not my style though.

 

[AMAC2233]

The trails are called Boom Run and Cruiser in case you're still wondering...

 

[Vortex]

But it certainly is overcrowded and icy as hell, particularly on the weekend. East Basin has good terrain for sure, though. Flying Fox and Picked Rock from the top are excellent blue square rollers. Nice mountain, not my style though.

Riv your off on the icy statement. They make a ton of snow. It will get skied off on a peak weekend yes. Want to ski a place with good coverage when no natural.... This place is the best in Nh IMO. Just need to know where to go.

This place with a quad at the east basin and 4 more trails offf the north peak so they can add the other 30 chairs to the north peak would move it to another level.

Not really sure what the south peak expansion will do. My guess is give them real estate money and more parking.

Slam Loon for the crowds... its conditions are top notch. No mention here about the parks. Not many compare. Last year when they really got some natural snow they left a decent amount un-groomed. I was suprised lower angel st was a long bump run.

I like sunday river more, but Loon does many of the things the River does just a step below them. I would think Riv that Sr would not be your style either, I see your points.

 

[riverc0il]

Bob, I couldn't disagree more. Making snow is great, but crowds rough out and scrape off the snow quality. Eventually, the snow that is made is just packed down and solidify into a frozen surface. Nothing Loon can do about it or any other mountain for that matter. Cannon has it happen too on their more well traveled routes. It is just a fact. Lack of natural + high traffic + New England Weather + man made snow = scraped off snow conditions. Just my impressions. Sunday River is not my style either but I think their snow conditions do stay better longer than Loon. Used to ski both of those places a lot before I started looking else where. Only comparing to the other areas I ski, but Loon is pretty low on my list for snow conditions and I do know where to go when I am there.

 

[Vortex]

I understand your points. When there is only Man made they have the best coverage in the region.

I also have a pass so it if gets rough I go home.

We continue to agree to disagree

I would prefer to ski Loon over waterville, Cannon, Attitash, Bretton woods, and wildcat in a weak snow period.

When there is natural snow I would go to Wildcat in NH, if money was not an issue.

Value I think Loon is still the best value in NH. Taking length of season snow quality and overall skier experience. Probably not the best mountain though. I give that to Wildcat.

I have probably been Loon's biggest supporter over the last few years that beign said. I moved and bought at the River. Just different Levels.

 

[riverc0il]

Cool Bob, I hear ya. I would put Wildcat ahead of Loon though for snow quality and overall value now that Wildcat is making plays both for early and late season. Loon is a good value with a season pass and a quick drive for the 93 crowd.

 

[sledhaulingmedic]

I'm with Riv. Loon has some great assetts, but the crowds and, to a certain extent, the trail layout make it an easy place to pass by. To your point Bob, it helps to know your way around, you can easily sucked in malfunction Junction (I can't think of the name of that mid-mountain mess) and waste a run or two getting back to decent terrain.

Boyne should have a money maker there. The access is great, probably the best of any place in the Northeast. The additional acreage will only help spread the crowds, even if the terrain isn't anything special. It will be interesting to SEE (not hear) what Boyne will do.

I don't hate the place. I've had some good days there. It serves a purpose. It helps keep the snow from getting skied off at Cannon.