Loon Mountain Resort in Lincoln, New Hampshire has one of the most rapidly improving lift infrastructure networks on the East Coast. Last season, they opened the Kanc 8, which became the first bubble chairlift in the state of New Hampshire.
This past offseason, they focused on improving skier and rider flow around the Octagon Lodge base area. They replaced the Seven Brothers Triple chairlift with the old Kancamangus Quad, which underwent significant renovations while it was out of service. Loon Mountain opened the new lift on December 17th, and it has proved helpful in reducing crowds over at that terrain pod when lifts like the Kanc8 go down due to maintenance issues.
On Monday, I traveled up to Loon to check out the new lifts. Snow conditions were firm yet carve-able thanks to the excellent snowmaking and grooming team that they have at Loon.
The base and top terminals are very impressive and fit in well with Loon’s color scheme. A loading conveyor from Chairkit moves skiers at the time that each chair arrives.
Another cool addition is the lighted paths that guide skiers towards where the skiers/riders load onto the lift, which I haven’t actually seen before on a chairlift.
This technology from Chairkit is known as a Load Here Platform.
The chairs are the only part that didn’t really impress me, as the cushioning isn’t very comfortable, and the lap bars tend to slightly swing back upward when you’re not holding them down.
Another nice improvement over the offseason was the renovation of the Pemigiwasset Base Camp Lodge over at South Peak. Cisco Brew Brewing helped redesign the space, as they added multiple bar spaces.
An outdoor bar is also planned. This space is going to help create more of an après-ski experience after the lifts close, which is a solid addition to the South Peak experience.
A lot of money will be going into South Peak in the coming years, as Loon plans to expand terrain. A new thirty-acre terrain expansion will open next winter around the Escape Route trail.
The expansion will feature beginner and intermediate runs and glades, along with a fixed-grip quad chairlift and multiple surface lifts.
When it opens, it will become the new hub for those who are learning to ski and ride at Loon.
It appears that the initial trail cutting has begun near the Escape Route trail. This expansion looks like another solid addition to the New Hampshire ski resort, and I look forward to checking it out next year.
Image/Video Credits: Loon Mountain Resort, Ian Wood of Unofficial Networks
