Loon Mountain Resort

Mar 8, 2022

4 min read

Updated: Jul 23

Loon Mountain Ski Resort in New Hampshire is one of the most popular places for skiing in New England. Located in Lincoln, New Hampshire, it's an easy weekend trip from Boston, southern New Hampshire, Vermont, and even parts of New York. The resort is known for its heated Kancamagus 8 chairlift, one of the most comfortable chairlifts in the country, along with its beginner-friendly terrain and convenient location. If you're planning a trip, here are my tips for saving money, avoiding the crowds, and making the most of your day at Loon Mountain.

Snowy ski slope overlooking distant blue mountain ranges under a clear sky, with a red trail marker in the foreground.

Where to Stay

If you're looking to save money on your Loon Mountain ski trip, I wouldn't stay at the resort itself. Since you'll likely be driving anyway, staying a few minutes away can save you quite a bit. We stayed at the Days Inn in Lincoln, New Hampshire, which was only about eight minutes from the mountain and cost around $230 for a two-night stay. Compared to slopeside lodging, it was a great deal.

The hotel included complimentary breakfast each morning, which helped us save even more. I also signed up for Wyndham Rewards to earn points for future trips. Our room had both a mini-fridge and microwave, making it easy to bring food from home instead of eating every meal on the mountain.

Bright hotel bed with striped pillows, lamp and wooden headboard in a soft, sunlit bedroom.

Loon Mountain

My biggest tip is to arrive around 7:30 a.m. Loon Mountain is known for filling its parking lots, especially on weekends, and once they reach capacity, guests can be turned away. On Saturday, we arrived around 7:45 a.m., and most of the main lot was already full.

The main parking lot is worth aiming for because it's located between the gondola and the Kancamagus 8 chairlift, making it easy to access both sides of the mountain.

Kancamagus 8

The Kancamagus 8 chairlift was the main reason we wanted to visit Loon Mountain. It is honestly the definition of luxury skiing. The lift has heated seats and a weather bubble, making even cold or rainy days much more enjoyable.

When we visited on Sunday, it poured rain for most of the day, and having that heated chairlift made a huge difference. It let us stay comfortable enough to keep skiing instead of calling it early.

One thing I did notice is that the lift could move people even faster if every chair left with eight riders. The lines actually weren't that long, but many chairs weren't completely full. Having a lift attendant organize groups would probably help keep things moving even more efficiently.

Skiers on a snowy slope at Loon Mountain, with a chairlift overhead, busy lodge below, and blue sky over forested hills.

Gondola

The four-person gondola takes you higher than any other lift on the mountain and provides access to a large portion of Loon Mountain Ski Resort. Even when the lift lines looked long, they moved surprisingly quickly. We rarely felt like we were waiting very long to get back on the slopes.

Trails

Loon Mountain has 61 ski trails, and during our visit, 57 were open. Even though it was a sold-out Saturday with perfect bluebird conditions, we managed to ski 45 trails between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The mountain is easy to navigate, and because the lifts are efficient, it's simple to rack up a lot of runs throughout the day. We probably could have skied every trail, but by the afternoon, most of what we hadn't covered were beginner green runs. The trail layout makes it easy to explore different areas of the mountain without spending a lot of time traversing or waiting in lift lines.

Skiers in helmets and goggles wait in line at a snowy mountain lift under a bright sun, with lodge buildings and hills behind.

Ikon Pass Update

If you're visiting Loon Mountain with an Ikon Pass, be aware that reservations may be required on certain days. Considering how quickly parking fills and how popular the resort has become, I think it's a smart system to help manage crowds and improve the overall experience.

Black-and-white snowy forest with bare birch trees and sun glowing through branches; small watermark at lower left.

Base Lodge Food

We had lunch at the Pemigewasset Base Camp, located at South Peak. The lodge had a variety of food for both kids and adults. I had a hard time finding something to eat because of my dairy allergy. I was surprised that even many of the salads included cheese or croutons, leaving very few dairy-free options. Luckily, the chili they were serving that day was dairy-free, but it was my only choice. If you're vegan, your options will be even more limited.

I was told another lodge had more allergy-friendly choices, but personally, if a base lodge has road access, I think it should offer multiple options for guests with common food allergies.

If you have food allergies or dietary restrictions, I'd recommend packing your own lunch. Now that I know what to expect, that's exactly what I'd do on my next visit.

Skier in red pants waits at a snowy ski lift station with mountain views under a clear blue sky.

Shuttles

Loon Mountain offers complimentary shuttle buses between its different base areas, making it easy to get around the resort. Some are traditional school buses, while others are modified resort shuttles.

The only improvement I'd suggest is adding better signage. The yellow buses go to South Peak, while the blue buses do not. A simple route map at each shuttle stop would make it much easier for first-time visitors to know which bus they need to take.

Skiers on a sunny snowy mountain slope beside an orange Experts Only sign, with forested hills and blue sky.

Overall

Overall, I really enjoyed skiing Loon Mountain. Its location makes it one of the easiest New Hampshire ski resorts to reach for a weekend getaway, and the heated Kancamagus 8 chairlift alone is worth experiencing.

I'd especially recommend Loon Mountain for beginner and intermediate skiers. Advanced skiers may find they can cover most of the terrain fairly quickly, but the mountain still offers fun glades, terrain parks, and one of the better half-pipes in New England.

If terrain parks are your thing, you'll find plenty of features to keep you entertained. It's also a great place for younger skiers looking to build confidence and practice new skills.

Frequently Asked Questions About Loon Mountain

Is Loon Mountain good for beginners?

Yes. Loon Mountain has a great mix of beginner and intermediate terrain, along with excellent lift infrastructure that makes getting around easy.

Does Loon Mountain have an Ikon Pass?

Yes, Loon Mountain is included on the Ikon Pass. Reservations may be required on select dates.

What is the famous lift at Loon Mountain?

The Kancamagus 8 is one of the most recognizable chairlifts in North America thanks to its heated seats and weather bubble.

Where should I stay when skiing Loon Mountain?

Lincoln, New Hampshire offers plenty of affordable hotels just minutes from the resort and is a great option if you're looking to save money.

Check out Loon Mountain: https://www.loonmtn.com/

Skiers on a sunny snowy slope with evergreen trees and mountain peaks under a clear blue sky, enjoying a bright winter day.