LINCOLN, New Hampshire — New Hampshire’s Loon Mountain plans to open for the winter season on November 22, weather permitting.

Following a record 2007-08 winter season, which featured the debut of the $13 million South Peak expansion, this year Loon has invested over $3 million in new terrain and improvements.

Headlining the ‘What’s New’ list:
?В» Two new trails on South Peak, including Rip Saw, Loon’s first double black diamond trail
?В» 70 additional energy-efficient, high-output fan and tower snowguns
?В» New carpet lift in the Sarsaparilla learning area.

New Terrain:
As part of its multi-year expansion, Loon Mountain will open two new trails on South Peak this winter, adding 14 acres of terrain.

Skiers and riders will experience spectacular views of Franconia Notch and the town of Lincoln as they approach the steeps of Loon’s first-ever double black diamond, Rip Saw.

Accessed from Boom Run, Rip Saw starts steep and ends with classic New England twists and turns before connecting with Cruiser. Escape Route, an intermediate trail, provides access from Cruiser to the South Peak parking area.

Added Snowmaking:
Twenty new proprietary Boyne high-output, energy-efficient fan guns, along with 50 new HKD Tower guns will add substantial firepower to Loon’s already powerful snowmaking system, and complement the prior investment of more than 150 energy-efficient snow guns.

“The new equipment is six times more efficient than conventional snowmaking equipment,” said Ralph Lewis, Director of Operations. “The Boyne Fan Guns and the HKD Towers are a nice balance of technologies that allow us to open more of the mountain sooner, and provide an exceptional surface throughout the winter.”

Rounding out Loon’s commitment to superior snow conditions, two new groomers have been added to Loon’s fleet.

New Lift & Additional Improvements:
Loon is making it easier for first timers to get up the hill, with the installation of a new carpet lift to replace the lower of two handle tows on Sarsaparilla. Once new skiers and riders master the carpet, they can graduate to the handle tow, located on the upper Sarsaparilla trail.

Other improvements include new rails for Loon’s award-winning terrain parks; a new 4,800-square-foot home for New England Disabled Sports (formerly the White Mountain Adaptive Snowsports School); and a new rental equipment system from Head, which will get guests out on the hill faster.

Awards & Accolades:
If the new trails and improvements weren’t enough reasons to visit Loon this winter, Loon kicks off the season as the Number One Resort in the East for Access (SKI Magazine, October 2008, Readers’ Poll).

In addition, Loon Mountain also received Top-Ten distinctions for Grooming, Weather, Food, Dining, Lodging, Apr??s-Ski, Off-hill Activities and Terrain Parks.

Transworld Snowboarding Readers (October, 2008 ) named Loon the Number One in the East for Parks, Pipe and Overall Resort Atmosphere.

Also last month, Snowboard Magazine named Loon’s parks one of the “Top-Ten Most Progressive Parks in North America.”

Lastly, the readers of Onthesnow.com gave Loon the Reader’s Choice Award for “Best Park” at the end of the 2007-08 season.

For the latest updates on opening, to purchase New England Passes and Frequent Skier Cards, and to save money and time by booking accommodations, lessons, rental equipment and lift tickets online before arrival, visit loonmtn.com or call 1-800-229-LOON(5666).