Loon Mountain Resort in New Hampshire has submitted a proposal for a major expansion that would add 280 acres of skiable terrain and create a fourth mountain peak overlooking downtown Lincoln. If fully built, the project would increase Loon’s total skiable terrain to 955 acres, representing a 137% increase from the resort’s current footprint.
New Peak Would Add 280 Acres
The proposed expansion would include 145 acres of traditional ski trails and 135 acres of tree skiing. Four aerial lifts would provide access to approximately 1,500 vertical feet of terrain.
The new peak is designed to fill a progression gap in its existing trail network. Lower-elevation trails would provide an intermediate step for skiers and snowboarders moving beyond beginner terrain, while more advanced areas would include winding New England trails, wide-open cruisers and challenging tree skiing.
A summit lodge is also proposed at 2,324 feet, with dining, sightseeing and event space overlooking Lincoln. A second mid-mountain lodge would provide additional amenities and views.
Project Continues Loon’s Original Vision
According to Loon, the expansion has been part of the resort’s long-term vision for decades. Original conceptual drawings from the 1960s by Loon founder and former New Hampshire Governor Sherman Adams depicted four mountain peaks connected by lift-served skiing.
The proposal would bring that fourth peak closer to reality more than 60 years later. The project is part of Loon’s Flight Path 2030 capital investment plan, which was announced in 2020.
Expansion Faces Federal Review
The proposed terrain includes both federal and private land. Most of the expansion area is within the White Mountain National Forest, and the U.S. Forest Service has accepted Loon’s proposal for review.
The project must undergo a federal Environmental Assessment before the Forest Service can approve development on national forest land. Loon expects that process to take approximately 12 months. Private land within the proposed expansion is owned by South Peak Resort, which is independently operated.
The expansion would be developed in phases and still requires multiple local and federal permits and approvals. The final timeline will depend on the review process, public feedback, operational needs and environmental considerations.
The proposal also comes with updates to other projects in Loon’s Flight Path 2030 plan, including upgrades to the White Mountain Express Gondola and additional tree skiing at Black Ridge.