LOON MOUNTAIN RESORT GUIDE
Loon Resort Overview
**Operating Guidelines: Loon Mountain encourages guests to purchase lift tickets online, in advance. Ikon Pass holders must make reservations at ikonpass.com for Winter 2023-24.
In the town of Lincoln, NH, it's an easy 2 hour drive North of Boston and only 3 miles from the main highway (US-93). Loon's pedigree is impressive - 2,100 vertical feet (rounding out the top 10 list for the Northeast), 3 mountains, 3 base lodges, 370 skiable acres - the majority of which are covered by snowmaking and New Hampshire's only Superpipe. The lift infrastructure is top notch with an uphill capacity of more than 15,000 people / hour, you won't wait long even on the busiest days. The area is family friendly, for those choosing not to shred, there's tubing, zip lines, snowshoeing, and a climbing wall. Getting around is easy too, parking is free and there are free shuttles running throughout the town and resort area. With plenty of terrain variety and many quality places to grab a bite or drink on the mountain, you will want to stay until the lifts stop. Then, there are dozens of restaurants, bars and shops to explore in Lincoln. Putting it all together - size, quality of experience, relative ease of travel, and choice of activities, Loon is a "must ski" New England destination.
Loon has a number of season pass options with great value for anyone riding 8 days or more. Season passes are also valid at Sunday River and Sugarloaf in Maine. Full season pass details are here. The Full Ikon Pass provides 7 days and the Base Ikon pass provides 5 days at Loon.
Snow Reliability
Snow-Making & Grooming
Ski School
Travel Convenience
Accommodations
Terrain Variety
On Mountain Dining
Extreme / Off-Piste Terrain
Quick Take
Let's Go
Top notch grooming and snow making capabilities - 99% of trails are covered by snow-making. Reliable conditions for Northeast skiing
Move seamlessly amongst three mountains. Loon is part of a select few resorts in New England with fantastic lift infrastructure including several high speed quads and a gondola. The Kancamagus 8 is one of the most technologically advanced lifts in North America
An easy day trip from Boston, Loon is one of easiest to access in NH, just off I-93
The town of Lincoln is underrated, but it's a gem with a variety of accommodations (luxury hotels to budget friendly), restaurants, ski shops and art galleries
Hesitations
The White Mountains can be a freezer. Loon is one of the highest peaks in the Northeast. Neighbor Mt. Washington sets records for its cool temperatures
Crowds. Similar to other resorts easily accessible to metropolitan areas, weekends and holidays can be packed
Higher costs. Although Loon is not expensive by national standards, it is by New Hampshire's. Peak lift ticket rates are pushing $100, so make sure to buy online, in advance
Insider Tips
Be strategic to avoid crowds and get the best rates. Buy your tickets online and save substantially and / or try to come mid-week for a more private experience
Make sure to venture to the South Peak - this is the best terrain on the mountain. Explore long, wide Blues and Blacks. It's a trek - you must take a connecting lift (the Tote Road fixed-grip quad), to and from the main mountain but it's well worth the effort. It's best in the morning, beat the crowds and stay for lunch (only open Jan - March)
The Kancamagus high-speed-quad is ideal for lapping an assortment of Blue runs
One of few places in New England with plenty of ski in / ski out lodging options
Check out the Encore Thrift Shop on Main Street - you can find some real treasures here
Trail Map
For an in-depth breakdown of Loon's terrain, head to our Mountain Guide. Top trails and mountain stats included.
Getting To & Around
Loon Mountain is an easy, 2 hour drive from Boston and 1 hour from Concord. We prefer to have a car here. Parking is free and driving provides a lot more optionality for dining, shopping and venturing to nearby resorts.
Getting To
Closest Major City: Boston, MA
Distance: ~130 miles South East, Travel time: ~2 hours
Closest Regional City: Concord, NH
Distance: ~65 miles South, Travel time: ~1 hour
Closest Town: Lincoln, NH
~5 minute drive
Neighboring Resorts
Closest Neighbors
Cannon Mountain (~12 miles, 15 mins)
Waterville Valley (~28 miles, 35 mins)
Bretton Woods (~30 miles, 35 mins)
Tenney Mountain (~33 miles, 40 mins)
Travel by Plane
Closest Major Commercial Airport: BOS - (Logan International Airport)
~135 miles South East, ~2 hrs
Closest Regional Airport: MAN (Manchester Regional)
~90 miles, ~1 hr 20 mins
Travel By Bus
Buses run from Boston South Station and Concord, NH. Make sure to check schedules and plan ahead
The town of Lincoln and Loon Resort run free shuttle buses throughout the town and resort
Travel by Car
Cars are the best way to get to Loon
Pros: Parking is free; provides flexiblity to visit near by ski areas
Cons: Parking lots do fill up, don't arrive late on a weekend!
Rideshares: available but not reliable
