LINCOLN, New Hampshire — Following a record winter, New Hampshire’s Loon Mountain has invested over $3 million in improvements this summer that will give skiers and snowboarders even more reasons to visit Loon this winter.

Added to the $13 million invested last year in the first phase of the Loon South Peak expansion project and other on-mountain improvements, this brings Loon’s total investment to $16 million over the past two years.

New South Peak Terrain
As part of its multi-year expansion, Loon will open two new trails on South Peak, 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.

Enhanced Energy-Efficient 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.

The HKDs will be placed on South Peak trails, and the Boyne guns are ear-marked for the signature Loon Mountain Park and trails on Loon Peak.

“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 nice balances of technologies that allow us to open more of our mountain sooner, and provide an exceptional surface throughout the winter, even when the weather is marginal.”

The additional snow guns complement Loon’s prior investment in more than 150 energy-efficient snow guns. Rounding out Loon’s commitment to superior snow conditions, two new groomers will be added to Loon’s fleet.

New Carpet Lift
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.

New Terrain Park and Features
Snowboarders and freeskiers will be excited about ten new rails being constructed to complement the 65 existing rails, jibs and jumps found in Loon’s parks. The new rails will benefit all ability levels and be placed in Loon’s six terrain parks, including the new Brookway Extension Park and the award-winning Loon Mountain Park.

New, Expanded WMASS Facility
Loon’s popular White Mountain Adaptive Snowsports School, which provides over 500 lessons a year for people with disabilities, is getting a spacious 4,800-square-foot new home . An addition that has been built onto the Children’s Center now serves as the center for its winter activities. This new space will allow the program to store more equipment, allow better access for participants and visitors, and provide more indoor space for both students and coaches to get ready for lessons.

Rental Equipment Enhancements
Wrapping up the improvements for 2008/09 is an investment in the resort’s fleet of rental equipment, featuring a new boot and ski system from Head. This new system will streamline the set-up process and get guests out on the hill faster. Also new this season: rental equipment reservations will be available online via Loon’s eStore and by calling 1-800-229-LOON. This will give guests the convenience of making their arrangements before they come to the mountain, so their equipment will be ready and waiting when they arrive.

Loon Mountain plans to open for the winter season November 22. The popular New England Pass, which gives guests access to Loon Mountain, Sugarloaf and Sunday River is on sale now. Quantities are limited and prices increase on October 14.

For information on vacation packages at Loon Mountain or event information, please visit www.loonmtn.com or call 800-229-LOON (5666).