Industry News
Loon Mountain Resort is charging into winter with its strongest opening in decades, delivering more terrain, more vertical, and more early-season momentum than any ski area in New Hampshire. Beginning last Saturday, the Lincoln-based resort now offers 44 open trails across three mountain peaks and 2,190 vertical feet, marking a record-breaking start unmatched in its modern history.
A major milestone arrived on Saturday, December 13, when eleven more trails open to the public—officially unlocking South Peak for the season. The mountain’s third summit, served by three chairlifts, expands access to some of Loon’s most popular terrain.
Last week’s storm brought 10 inches of natural snow, adding crucial depth to an already impressive early-season base. Combining natural snowfall with sustained cold temperatures, Loon has already opened over 60% of its total terrainsince spinning lifts on November 21.
“It’s hard to imagine a better start to the season,” Brian Norton said in a press release, Loon’s president and general manager. “Consistent temperatures, plus over two feet of natural snow since opening day, have enabled us to get trails open quickly—and with quality snow. Looking back at our records to the early 2000s, we’ve never had this much terrain open this early in the season.”
While recent storms have helped accelerate trail openings, Loon credits much of its success to a full-throttle snowmaking strategy. The Mountain Operations team has been firing more than 400 snow guns during cold windows, laying down deep, consistent coverage. New snowcats added ahead of winter have strengthened grooming efforts, improving surface quality across all open terrain.
“I’m proud of our team for maximizing what Mother Nature has given us and delivering the best possible experience for our guests,” Norton added.
Skiers and riders can monitor conditions, snowfall totals, trail openings, and live webcams through the Loon Mountain Report.
Tickets, Deals & Holiday Events
To take advantage of this historic early-season stretch, guests can purchase an XL 3-Pack, offering three days on the mountain for just $80 per day. Loon also offers single- and multi-day lift tickets on Loon’s website.
With the holidays approaching, the resort has rolled out a packed calendar featuring crowd favorites such as Snowshoe & S’Mores, the 60th Season Celebration, and more. A full schedule is available on Loon’s website.
After one of the strongest openings in resort history, winter is fully underway at Loon—and the momentum shows no signs of slowing.
