Exploring Loon Mountain: A Granite State Ambassador’s Adventure
On August 2nd, a group of certified Granite State Ambassador (GSA) volunteers had the privilege of touring Loon Mountain Resort in Lincoln, NH. The purpose of the visit was to experience Loon as guests would, enabling them to better inform visitors at their welcome center posts.
Andrew Noyes, Vice President of Guest Services, was an exceptional host. He greeted the group warmly before leading them up Loon’s Gondola Skyride, the longest in New Hampshire at 7,133 feet. The 15-minute ride to the 2,733-foot summit offered breathtaking views. At the summit, Andrew guided the group to an observation deck attached to Summit Café and down to the amphitheater, pointing out the boardwalk, observation towers, disc golf course, and glacial caves along the way. The café, with its indoor and outdoor seating, provides a picturesque dining experience, while the 
amphitheater, a popular spot for weddings and church services, offers stunning mountain views. Andrew also highlighted the various hiking trails available. I returned the following day with friends and rode the Gondola up and hiked down.
Naturally, the GSAs were curious about Loon’s winter offerings. In addition to 400 acres of skiable terrain and 73 diverse trails spanning three peaks, Loon boasts a full progression of terrain parks for all ages and abilities. Other winter activities include Sno-Go (a ski-bike), cross-country skiing, tubing, and snowshoeing. My family skied the 2 newer peaks last season and fell in love!
After the summit tour, the group returned to the Octagon Lodge and walked over to the Adventure Center. This area has significantly expanded since previous visits, now featuring bike rentals, Ninja Wild (a Ninja Warrior-style course), a 750-foot zipline across the Pemigewasset River, a climbing wall, and a bungee trampoline.
The highlight of the tour was the impressive Kancamagus 8 chairlift. In the summer, this state-of-the-art lift services the downhill mountain bike park, which offers over 12.5 miles of trails covering 1,000 vertical feet. The bike park trails cater to both beginners and seasoned riders. Three of our GSAs were given bikes to try from Loon’s full-suspension rental fleet, myself included. Our hearts raced as we loaded our bikes onto the lift and climbed aboard, but the rush of the ride made it all worthwhile and gave us a great story to tell for sure. In the winter, this eight-seat D-Line Doppelmayr chairlift features ergonomically shaped heated seats and a tinted bubble, capable of whisking 3,500 skiers per hour to some of Loon’s most popular terrain.
The tour left a lasting impression on the GSAs, many of whom shared their experiences:
Richard and Carmen: “My wife Carmen and I are GSAs, and we were part of the tour you gave last Friday. WOW, how impressive! We had been there for the Highland Games before but never realized all that there was to do at Loon. We learned about the amphitheater, the caves, the bike trails and rentals, and other activities at the base, including the zipline, climbing wall, and trampolines. The staff was friendly and professional, and we were served very well indeed. We went back up the mountain and had lunch at the top. We volunteer at the airport and the State House and now have a much better idea of how much fun folks can have at Loon all year round! Thank you so very much, and we hope to visit again soon.”
Babs: “I was one of the GSAs who participated in your tour last Friday and just wanted to express what a fun, eye-opening day that was! My husband (also a GSA) and I have lived in Thornton for 21 years, and we’ve driven by Loon Mountain many times, but since we don’t ski anymore, we didn’t realize all it has to offer year-round! I was so impressed with how vibrant the Loon complex is all year, with plenty to do for the whole family. The chairlift setup for bike transportation was particularly clever, prioritizing passenger safety. I also thoroughly enjoyed the zipline over the Pemi, and your staff’s attention to safety gave us a real sense of security. Thank you for such an enjoyable and informative tour. I volunteer weekly at the White Mountain National Forest Headquarters in Campton and will definitely recommend Loon as a fabulous family spot to visit!”
Irene and Bob: “As skiers, we were familiar with Loon Mountain as one of our favorite mountains, but we were unaware of the variety of summer activities available. We were impressed! We volunteer at the Manchester airport and will recommend Loon as a fun summer destination for tourists to explore. Thanks for your time and enthusiasm.”
Renee: “Thank you for the tour of Loon last week. As a newer employee of the forest, it was very helpful to see the area firsthand. It will help me answer visitors’ questions at the White Mountain Visitor Center and elsewhere. I enjoyed the gondola ride, and your amphitheater is fantastic! It would be a great place for a ranger program. I am a so-so skier, but my husband really enjoys it, so I’m sure we’ll be up at least once this winter. My kids would also enjoy the adventure center, and it will be a great option when I have guests in town.”
Roz: “As many times as I have been to Loon, I learned and saw a few new things. I never noticed the pump facility on the river and found the Kanc 8 modifications for bikes very interesting. I didn’t realize that a lot of the Governor’s floor space is given over to bikes in the summer. The Ninja facility was new to me as well. Thank you so much for the tour. Now I have more things to tell visitors when I work at White Mountain attractions.”
Marilyn: “Thank you for showing us GSAs what an exciting resource Loon is for the state. I returned to the Glacial Caves and spent time at the amphitheater, admiring the gorgeous view and watching a young couple rehearse for their wedding. What a spectacular venue for their special day!”
Mitzie: “Just a note of thanks for your generosity in having the GSAs tour your site. You have an impressive array of activities for visitors of all ages and interests. I thoroughly enjoyed the biking and will be sure to share my enjoyment and encourage anyone visiting the state to visit Loon Mountain—an all-seasons resort! What a fun and informative day.”
Norma: “Just a quick note to thank you for showing us all that Loon has to offer. The area has grown significantly! What a wonderful venue for mountain biking, skiing, and a full day of family fun. We are proud of our state and pleased to recommend places like yours to our visitors. The staff welcomed us volunteers with open arms, even in the severe heat of the day. Our tour was much appreciated.”
If you haven’t visited Loon Mountain in Lincoln NH recently, you haven’t truly experienced all it has to offer. It’s worth a visit in any season, with activities and adventures for everyone.
https://www.loonmtn.com
