LINCOLN, New Hampshire — Loon Mountain is pleased to announce that the readers of the premier snowboarding magazine Transworld SNOWboarding (TWS) have rated Loon Mountain as one of North America’s best resorts. Loon was the only eastern resort to garner a top-10 ranking in the ‘Resort’ and ‘Park’ categories and was also the top-rated eastern resort in the ‘Pipe’ category. The prestigious 2007 Transworld Top-10 ratings were released this fall, after readers voted following the close of the 2005-2006 season.

“Being rated by the readers of Transworld as one of North America’s best resorts, and also having the East Coast’s best parks and pipe, is quite an incredible feat,” said Loon Terrain Park Manager Jay Scambio. “Western resorts generally dominate these lists and it’s a great feeling to know that the readers of Transworld recognize Loon’s efforts in creating features and events to meet the demands of all ability levels.”

Transworld SNOWboarding readers awarded Loon Mountain a #5 rating for Best Resort in North America, and Loon was the only resort in the East to earn a Top-10 rating in this category. Votes were tallied on a variety of criteria including snow quality, vibe, nightlife, food, lodging, lifts, value and challenge. Readers also praised Loon’s signature LMP at #6 for best terrain park and the 450′ superpipe at #7.

“Our readers are on the snow constantly and they know which resorts are delivering,” says Kurt Hoy, TransWorld SNOWboarding’s Chief Content Director. “You can count on the resorts on this list being on-point both on and off the slopes.”

Loon Mountain features six terrain parks which range in every step of difficulty from the beginner Burton Progression Park to the expert signature Loon Mountain Park (LMP). There are also ‘Top Secret Parks’ located throughout the mountain.

Last season, Loon was the first resort on the East Coast to collaborate with Burton Snowboards in developing the Burton Progression Park, a specifically designed park that allows novices to improve their skills in a positive learning environment. Loon is also a Burton Learn to Ride Center, incorporating equipment specifically designed for beginners, as well as proven instruction methods to help beginners progress quickly.

This season, the LMP has taken on new projects to ensure the park retains its ‘best in the East’ title. The towering 32′ wallride has been rebuilt and re-angled on the front and had a face lift with a new layer of lexan to provide a silky smooth sliding surface. A snowmaking fan gun has also been moved and strategically placed above the superpipe to aid in a quicker superpipe build. Three new barrel bonks, a 20′ down box, a down-flat-down rail, a signature jersey barrier box, new sliding surfaces on boxes and new paint on all park features will finish off this year’s improvements.

As an official SPT Park, Loon Mountain is a part of Snow Park Technologies, a recognized leader in terrain park development and course/terrain designers for the ESPN Winter X Games and US Open of Snowboarding.

Loon’s six terrain parks boast cutting-edge terrain features and events to satisfy all ability levels, from entry level park rider to expert. New events this season, Grenade Strikes Back and the revamped Droppin’ In Women’s Weekend, join other high-caliber events such as Forum Youngbloods, Thanksjibbing, Open Season Ski and Snowboard, The Main Event, Fluorescent Nights, Shut Up and Snowskate, Red Bull Schooled Ski, Shop Showdown, Last Call with Eastern Boarder, Hike and Huck and numerous USASA events.

Loon Mountain was one of the first resorts in New England to allow snowboarding during the 1983-84 season. Riders had to take a test which demonstrated control to be allowed to freely ride the mountain. A decade later, the first terrain park was built by an adventurous Loon Mountain employee named Steve Ash, whose vision constructed the foundation that current Park Manager Jay Scambio and his crew has built into one of North America’s best.

For more information about Loon terrain parks or events, please visit the dedicated terrain park webpage at terrainparks.loonmtn.com.