July 10, 2009
Loon
60 Loon Mountain Rd.
Lincoln, N.H. 03251
800-229-5666
loonmtn.com
• Get directions
• Loon ski report and snow conditions
Located only three hours from Boston, Loon is the resort of choice for twentysomethings and families whose primary objective is to hit the slopes running. As a result, the weekend and holiday crowds can sometimes make you, well, loony, though Loon does its best to keep things moving with 10 lifts. Helping matters considerably this year will be an additional 49 acres of terrain at South Ridge serviced by two quads. A bigger-than-average resort with better-than-average lodging, food, variety and snow conditions, Loon Mountain is one of those classic something-for-everybody places and thus a good option for those with mixed abilities and interests.
MOUNTAIN INFO
Base elevation: 950 feet
Summit elevation: 3,050 feet
Vertical drop: 2,100 feet
Skiable acres: 275
Lifts: 10 (1 gondola, 2 quads, 1 triple, 3 doubles, 3 surface)
Trails: 53
Trail breakdown: 20 percent beginner, 64 percent intermediate, 16 percent advanced
Snow making capability: 96 percent of skiable acres
HOURS
Weekdays: 9 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Weekends/holidays 8 a.m. - 3:45 pm
PRICING
Full day: $73 adult, $63 teen (13-18), $53 junior (6-12), and $53 senior (65-79) (80 and over ski free)
Half-day : $63 adult, $53 teen (13-18), $43 junior (6-12), and $43 senior (65-79)
Season passes
New England Passes: Gold (unlimited, any time): $1049 adult (19-64), $825 teen (13-18), $725 junior (6-12), $529 senior (65-79), $30 (80+); Silver: (Valid every day except for 12 blackout dates) $699 adult, $649 teen, $599 junior; Bronze: (unlimited weekdays, not valid on holidays. Some blackout days apply) adult $449, teen $449, junior $449, senior $449; College Pass: valid at Loon, Sunday River and Sugarloaf, with unlimited skiing and riding every day of the season. $329 (price in effect through 11/30/08).
Rental rates
Full day, $39 adult, $29 child
Afternoon $31 Adult, $23 child
Lessons
Peak Seekers (first time) and Peak Achievers (novice) programs for $155, including rental, all-day lift ticket and group lesson. Group lessons (10 a.m.-1 p.m. or 12:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.), afternoon session (1:45-3:35) $135 half-day with lift and rental.
OTHER SNOW ACTIVITIES
Snowtubing: 12 noon - 8 p.m., $15 per hour
Outdoor ice-skating: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Snowshoeing (including summit tours)
Cross country skiing
FOR THE KIDS
Age specific (3-6, 7-12, 13-17) group lessons
Daycare (6 weeks-6 years) $69
ON-SITE LODGING
Loon does not have any resort-owned lodging, but the resort's location right along the Kancamagus Highway has allowed for numerous private operations to offer what is the practical equivalent of slopeside lodging.
OFF-SITE LODGING
The Mountain Club on Loon: Expansive modern resort next to the slopes featuring super-sized rooms and suites, two restaurants, and its own spa and health club. 90 Loon Mountain Rd., Lincoln; 800-229-7829.
Red Sleigh B&B: six antique-furnished rooms in a former lumber baron's house in central Lincoln, comes with hearty country breakfast. 191 Pollard Rd.; 603-745-8517.
Innseason Resort South Mountain: large, recently renovated family-oriented facility at the base of South Mountain featuring large rooms and suites, exercise and game rooms, sauna and an indoor pool. Route 112, Lincoln; 866-873-2766.
Kancamagus Motor Lodge: old reliable that offers 34 large, basic rooms at reasonable rates. 11 Pollard Rd., Lincoln; 800-346-4205.
Indian Head Resort: Ninety-eight-room vintage motor lodge with balconies overlooking a lake and the mountains with game room, exercise room, nightly kids' programs and featuring a heated pool. 664 Rte. 3, Lincoln; 603-745-8000.
ON-SITE FOOD AND DRINK
Summit Café at the Gondola peak, Camp III at the base of the North Peak Express Quad, Octagon Lodge and Slopeside Deli at the Octagon Bade Lodge, Governor Adams' and Babe's Blue Ox in the Governor Adams' Base Lodge, and the original Paul Bunyan Room. At the adjacent Mountain Club on Loon, are Seasons Restaurant and Black Diamond Bar and Grille.
OFF-SITE FOOD AND DRINK
The Common Man: casual American cuisine served in a creative Americana setting, a NH favorite for 35 years. 10 Pollard Rd., Lincoln; 603-745-3463.
Fratello's Ristorante Italiano: the traditional favorites served in a bright and airy remodeled paper mill. Kancamagus Highway, Lincoln; 603-745-2022.
Chieng Gardens: unpretentious Chinese restaurant that packs them in. 165 Main St., Lincoln; 603-745-8612.
Gordi's Fish & Steak House: hearty and eclectic American fare served in a cozy ski-themed setting. 260 Main St., Lincoln; 603-745-6635.
Profile Room: traditional New England fare served in a spacious Native America-themed room overlooking the Indian head profile. Indian Head Resort, 664 Rte. 3, Lincoln; 603-745-8000.
Copyright © 2009, Newsday Inc.
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