LINCOLN, NH ??” The snow guns are blasting away and Loon Mountain is preparing to kick off the new ski season starting Saturday, November 20. “Gravity’s Playground” is slated to open with top-to-bottom skiing and riding accessed by the Gondola. Exodus, Upper Picked Rock and Lower Picked Rock are the trails that comprise the first top-to-bottom route planned for opening day. Trails to follow include Grand Junction and Link, serviced by the East Basin Lift. Early-season lift tickets will be $44 for adults ??“ a savings of $8 to $15 off the regular lift ticket rates.

“We’d like to get as much terrain open as possible,” says Director of Skiing Operations Ralph Lewis. “If we continue to get the cold temperatures we’re expecting from the weather forecasts, I’m confident we’ll have top-to-bottom skiing for opening day.”

Highlighting the improvements at Loon Mountain this year is the new North Peak High Speed Quad. This new lift replaces the North Peak triple and will reduce the ride time to less than five minutes – nearly half that of the old lift. Sunny days will be a little brighter for skiers and riders who enjoy the new deck at Loon’s Camp III mid-mountain lodge this year. The North Peak Quad is scheduled to open to guests in early December.

Loon is also offering several new additions to its top-rated terrain park. A 16-foot wall ride feature lets snowboarders slide up a steel wall, land on top, then slide back down. Also new for this season are nine handrails, a doghouse box and a rollercoaster rail. For young skiers and riders who want to experience terrain park events and competitions, Loon Mountain introduces the Open Season Rail Shoot Series; three introductory events for competitors 16 and under.

This season Loon continues to offer big value with the Threedom Pass, a three-mountain season pass that entitles pass holders to ski or ride Waterville Valley and Cranmore Mountain Resort in addition to Loon Mountain. Pre-season rates from $249 end November 30. For more information, visit threedompass.com. Also on the value menu for this winter, two adults ski or ride for the price of one every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from January 4 to February 17, 2005. For equipment value, Loon introduces season-long rental equipment for only $119. An express line at the rental counter will expedite pick-up for pass holders every day during the season. The rental season pass includes skis, boots and poles, or snowboard boots and a snowboard.

For more information, call 1-800-229-LOON (5666) or visit www.loonmtn.com.