Lincoln, N.H. (August 19, 2014) – When Loon Mountain Resort opens for the 2014-15 winter season, skiers and riders will discover exciting improvements, including key snowmaking upgrades, expanded terrain park offerings for kids, and a responsive new website.

Snowmaking

This winter, early-season snowmaking will get another significant boost thanks to 50 new HKD KLIK semi-automated snowmaking hydrants on Upper Picked Rock and Lower Bear Claw, two key early-season snowmaking trails. By increasing the efficiency of the snowmaking process, these semi-automated hydrants will allow Loon’s snowmaking team to take better advantage of the brief snowmaking windows typical of November and early December weather conditions.

“We already know these hydrants are effective,” said Ralph Lewis, Loon’s director of mountain operations. “Thanks to the installation of 100 HKD KLIK hydrants on the mountain last summer, we were able to open for skiing and riding on November 8, the earliest top-to-bottom opening in Loon’s history. With 50 additional hydrants on the slopes this year, we plan to open even more terrain more quickly in the early season – and deliver better snow all season long.”

This year’s snowmaking improvements are just the latest phase of Loon’s multi-year commitment to snowmaking excellence, with more than $3 million invested in snowmaking improvements since 2010.

Terrain Parks

Young snowboarders this winter will get to enjoy an expanded Burton Lil’ Stash, Loon’s newest terrain park for kids. The expansion of this gladed park gives young riders and their families a series of rollicking wooden berms that ride like a banked slalom in the woods. In addition to these new terrain features, kids will discover new animal carvings to go along with larger-than-life carvings of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox.

New Website

LoonMtn.com has been completely redesigned with a fresh new look and responsive design, making it easier than ever for guests and potential guests to find information about snow conditions, events, vacation planning and more. The website’s responsive design means guests will have a great viewing experience, whether they’re using a desktop, tablet, or mobile device.

Buy a New England Pass, Help Restore the White Mountain National Forest

When Tropical Storm Irene unleashed flooding and devastation across New England in August 2011, many areas of the White Mountain National Forest were badly damaged. In response, Loon has partnered with the National Forest Foundation, a Congressionally-chartered nonprofit working to repair damaged hiking trails, improve wildlife habitat and restore national forests across the country – including the White Mountain National Forest.

Guests can choose to make a donation to the NFF’s Ski Conservation Fund when they purchase passes and eTickets through Loon’s e-Store. Donations will be matched 50% by the NFF, which works with local partners to complete restoration projects in the White Mountain National Forest.

“In addition to being Loon’s home, the White Mountain National Forest is an important asset to the Northeast, and there are still many projects that need to be done,” said Rick Kelley, Loon’s president and general manager. “By partnering with the National Forest Foundation, we want to help facilitate these projects and preserve the Forest for future generations to enjoy.”

Since beginning its White Mountain campaign in 2012, the NFF has repaired several trail systems and is now focusing its efforts on Tuckerman Ravine area trails, the 19-Mile Brook Trail, and trails in the Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness Area. More information about the NFF and its work in New Hampshire can be found by visiting www.nationalforests.org.

More information on Loon Mountain and New England Passes, which are available at pre-season prices through October 13, is available at LoonMtn.com.

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About Loon Mountain – Loon Mountain, located in the heart of New Hampshire’s White Mountains just two hours north of Boston, offers the most accessible big-mountain skiing and riding in the East: 2,100 feet of vertical, big terrain variety across three peaks, a full progression of award-winning terrain parks, and New Hampshire’s only superpipe.

Loon Mountain is operated by Boyne Resorts, the largest family-owned four-season resort company in North America, and is located in the White Mountain National Forest, operating in partnership with the USDA-Forest Service. For more information about Loon Mountain, visit loonmtn.com, like Loon Mountain Resort on Facebook at facebook.com/loonmtn, or follow @loonmtn on Twitter.