Ski Loon Mountain: The Ultimate Guide

Location

60 Loon Mountain Road Lincoln, NH 03251.

You can find the Mountain Resort right off the highway. Only two hours away from Boston, an hour and ½ away from Seacoast, NH and Maine.

One of the best Mountains to ski in NH and Maine, especially for how easy it is to get to compared to others.

Mountain Terrain

Lodges

There are two main lodges at Loon. When you pull into the parking lot at the base of North Peak, you will see the Governor Adams Lodge on your right and the Octagon Lodge on your left. 

Something pretty cool about Loon is that there is a train with multiple cabooses to bring skiers to and from the Governor Adams Lodge to the Octagon Lodge. This is nice if you don’t want to ski over, the train will bring you so you don’t have to trek across the huge parking lot in all your gear.

I often pick out which I’m going to start my day off based on a couple of things: How cold it is and how busy it is.

If it’s freezing out, I like to start off on the gondola. It’s significantly warmer to start off in the fully enclosed gondola than on a lift (even though the new Kanc 8 does have a bubble, I like being in the gondola on a cold morning). In this case, head over to the Octagon Lodge to start. 

The other way I make my decision is which lodge looks less busy. When you get to the mountain (depending on how early you arrive) you might be able to tell where the majority of the cars are parked closer to. I like to go to the more quiet side to start off, it’s just more enjoyable. This could be either lodge based on the day. 

Governor Adams Lodge

Located to the right when you pull into Loon’s main parking lot facing the mountain. Right next to the Kanc 8 lift, you cannot miss it, it’s in a huge building.

This lodge has everything you could need; bathrooms, lift ticket windows, food, drink, cubbies, and a store. If you need to rent, this is the lodge you go to. 

You can find a Waffle Cabin here!

Octagon Lodge

Located next to the gondola. Roomy lodge with lots of space to find a cubby, table, locker, bathrooms, lift ticket windows, food or drink. They have everything you will need! Plus the Paul Bunyan Room is upstairs! 

The Paul Bunyan Room:  Located upstairs of the Octagon Lodge you will find the fun, lively and sometimes rowdy Paul Bunyan Room.

My favorite place at Loon to warm up, grab a drink and hangout with friends. They have a full bar as well as a huge deck with a great view of the mountain. On a nice day, head outside and find a table on the deck in the sun.

They serve pretzels and popcorn at the bar. If you want a full meal, just head downstairs in the Octagon Lodge, grab some food and bring it back up with you.

Pemigewasset Base Camp

Located at the base of South Peak.

This lodge has a totally different entrance to the mountain, it’s a few minutes before the main entrance when coming from downtown Lincoln. I like to start my day here when I come by myself.

The Pemi Base Camp has much more of a local feel to it. You don’t have as many amenities as the other lodges. Food, drink, cubbies and bathrooms are available but on a smaller scale.

You can also find a Waffle Cabin at this lodge!

Summit Cafe

Located at Loon Peak, this is where the Gondola stops.

This cafe has canned beers, ciders, and seltzers as well as great food! On a nice day, the views at the Summit Cafe are amazing! Try and get a seat at the front by a window. 

Camp III

Camp III is located at the North Peak Express Quad chairlift.

They have bathrooms, a great menu and offer a variety of draft beers. Camp III has a large outdoor area with a fireplace, Adirondack chairs and awesome views of skiers coming down from North Peak.

If it’s a sunny day, be sure to head outside and get a spot by the fire!

Parking

To get a close parking spot at Loon Mountain, you have to arrive early.

There are lots of overflow parking lots. I like to get a spot at the main parking lot that is in between Governor Adams Lodge and the Octagon Lodge. You are within very close walking distance.

I also like to park at the Pemigewasset Base Camp at South Peak. Just be sure you already have your ski pass or lift ticket if you park here. I don’t think you can purchase lift tickets at this lodge.

If you plan on visiting Loon, try and get to the mountain a little before it opens to assure you get a good spot. 

If all lots fill up, there is off site parking with shuttle service.

Lift Tickets & Rental

Lift tickets can run pretty high at Loon. Try and buy your ticket before you go to save some money.

If you are visiting on a weekend, or holiday be sure to buy your tickets online ahead of time. I’ve seen people get to the lift ticket window and then told “sorry we are sold out for the day”.

Loon offers ski, ski pole, ski boot, snowboard, snowboard boot and helmet rentals.

If you need to rent, go to the Governor Adams Lodge, this is the only place on the mountain to get rentals at. They will help fit you into gear for a fun ski/snowboard day!

The Mountain Vibe

The vibe I feel at Loon is a mostly young adult crowd with high/fun energy. You always see people having a lot of fun at Loon. On the mountain skiing or riding, hanging out at one of the lodges as well as the staff.

I don’t get a very local feel from Loon Mountain, it’s because they bring in a lot of people from outside states (especially Massachusetts) since it’s so easy to get to and offers good terrain.

People are nice and seem so happy to be here. I’ve never had a negative interaction with anyone at Loon Mountain.

Hotels Nearby

Looking to spend the night or weekend up at Loon? There are lots of hotels very close by.

• Riverwalk Resort: If you are looking for more of a luxury hotel, stay here. You can get rooms with great views of the mountains and you are just minutes away.
• Quality Inn & Suites: Just 15 minutes away from Loon, this is a great affordable option.
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites: One of my favorites, I can almost always book a room here last minute for a cheap price. This hotel is always very clean and just five minutes away from the mountain.
• Airbnb: lots of beautiful condo and house rental options.

Restaurants, Cafes & Bars Nearby

The town of Lincoln has a lot of places to pick from! You are also pretty close to the town of Plymouth which also has some great restaurants and bars.

Here are some of my favorites

• One Love Brewery: A great brewery with delicious food! We love to go to One Love. A fun, lively place that sometimes has live music. Great selection of beers.
• Pub 32: Located at  264 Main St, Lincoln, NH 0325 just down the street from the mountain. A local bar with pub food. The best pizza in town and open late.
• Merland’s Tap & Table: Less than 15 minutes away from the Mountain in North Woodstock. A fun local bar with great food!
• Panther Pub: About a half hour away from the Mountain in Plymouth. If you are heading up to Loon or on your way home and you pass by the Plymouth exit, this is a great place to stop for dinner. Try their nachos! The best in NH.
• Half Baked & Fully Brewed: Located at 187 Main St, Lincoln, NH 03251 very close to the Mountain’s main entrance coming from downtown Lincoln. The best coffee and breakfast sandwiches in town, worth the wait!
• Flapjacks: Lincoln’s specialty pancake shop! Get here early, a line often forms fast (especially on weekends). They have the best pancakes, worth checking out.

Annual Winter Events at Loon Mountain

Mark your calendars!

• Last Call: March 27th – The largest snowboarding event in the East 
• 80’s day: April 1st – Iconic spring ski party

Tips to know before you go

• Loon is/can be a very busy mountain with long lift lines 
• You will most likely see a lot of people drinking on the lifts 
• The lift over to South Peak goes both ways, on weekends and holidays get ready for little kids to ask you things like- “waffles or pancakes!?” when they go by.
• Loon can get VERY cold. Be sure to check the weather before you go and dress accordingly
• The new Kanc 8 is Loon’s coolest chairlift but does have technical difficulties pretty often
• The Paul Bunyan Room is a fun place to party but isn’t open late