Another Fun Day Skiing With The Kids at Loon

On top of Loon Mountain’s South Peak the kids are ready to ski. The groomers did an excellent job making corduroy and the snow conditions were excellent.

by Amy Patenaude
Outdoor/Ski Writer

The early snow has made me excited for a long and snowy winter. New Hampshire’s resorts and cross country ski centers are open and are offering the most terrain for the beginning of the New Year that we have seen in some time. It has been fun getting to ski so much.
Our niece’s husband Mike and their three daughters made the trip up from Boston to ski Loon with some of their friends. After the kid’s Saturday swim meets they drove up from Boston and spent the night with us. Sunday morning they were impressive and out of our house before 7:30 in the morning. They beat me to the ski area.

The views from Loon’s North Peak are grand, up close is Black Mountain and in the distance is bright whtie Mount Washington.

I arrived at Loon about an hour later. I missed opening first runs but they didn’t. After booting up I checked my phone and I had a text message telling me where to meet them on the mountain. I rode up the gondola. Loon’s gondola has all new gondola cabins this season.
I met Mike and the kids at the lift line at the North Peak Express Quad lift. I waited next to the SLOW banner just before the lift line corral. I was amused watching all the different styles and techniques used by skiers and snowboarders to decrease their speed and enter the corral. The majority zoomed in smoothly but a few came uncomfortably close to me in their attempts to stay in control. I enjoyed the fashion show too. Bright colors rule for jackets and black ski pants seem to never go out of style. I didn’t see anyone in jeans, guess it was too cold.
There was no hesitation, we followed the kids into the lift line. Six children, ages 8 to 12, five girls and Luke. The extra three kids were his friend’s children. The other parents were skiing with their younger children on the bunny slopes.

You don’t have to be a skier or a snowboarder to find family fun at Loon Mountain. Take a scenic ride up the gondola to the summit of Loon Peak, go zip-lining or snowtubing. Loon Mountain offers cross-country skiing, ice skating and snowshoeing too.

When we unloaded at the top the kids took right off. I couldn’t understand a word they said but I followed them down off of North Peak down Sunset. Good thing I admired the mountain vista while riding up the lift because they weren’t waiting another second. On this clear cold day I could have spent a long time on the North Peak summit pointing out the mountains.
Sunset to Bear Claw to the Tote Road Quad chairlift. Now I understood, they were waiting for me to show up to go over to Loon’s South Peak.
The Tote Road Quad carries skiers and snowboarders between Loon Peak and South Peak and visa versa. And it is an opportunity to ask questions of the people riding the lift in the opposite direction. Today’s inquiry was, “Brownies or Cupcakes?” Mia, the youngest but the one with the boldest voice repeated the poll question with such force that a reply by the oncoming riders was made immediately. The one word answer “Brownies” was met with great cheers of approval. I was surprised cupcakes was not popular.
Mike made a plea for everyone to try to not get spread out too far as they were skating off down the trail. I stayed behind watching everyone make their turns. The older kids led the way while everyone else did their own thing not really trying to keep up. About halfway down they stopped to regroup.
We made at least six runs on South Peak. There were few spills but nothing serious. I just gathered up a random piece of ski equipment and dusted off them off and they were good to go. The snow conditions were super. Natural snow and the excellent man-made white stuff covered the trails deeply fully edge to edge. And Luke and Gianna found a few paths to take in between the trees.

Family Fun! Mia, just eight years old keeps right up, she isn’t far behind her older sisters and friends.

Mike has a sure fire way to make sure someone will ride the lift with him. He has a secret stash of candy in his pocket—Rolos, Jolly Ranchers and Sour Patch Kids. Best yet he will even remove the wrapper before passing a piece into the waiting open mitten. I liked the watermelon Jolly Ranchers.
What a difference a year makes! Last year they were so much more relaxed and I guess slower. Now the kids were stronger and no one is left behind. They really had fun together on the slopes.
When we took the lift back over to Loon Peak the quest to survey the lift riders continued. Brownies was by far the favorite answer mixed in between lots of laughter.
When we made our way back to the base at the Octagon Lodge it was not quite time to meet up with their friends and siblings for lunch. So we did a couple laps on the Seven Brother chairlift, its right in front of the lodge. Most of the kids opted to go in after one run. They were reluctant to give up but they were tired and ready for a rest and lunch.
Before calling it a day, we did make tracks back over to North Peak. This time I did pause at the top to fill my eyes with the view. Mount Washington was bright white and the pointy peaks of the Franconia Range greatly pleased me.
Yes, these Boston people have to start early and ski continuously because they have to leave early to get home in time for the Patriot’s game.
Have Fun!