Top Skiing Destination: Exploring Loon Mountain on the East Coast

To spend as much time bonding as skiing, Loon Mountain Resort in New Hampshire scratches the itch that the Western resorts can’t.

It was early fall when my family and I pondered our reunion ski trip. It was the first time we planned a trip without all four of us present because my oldest daughter, Maddy, was in her first semester of college in Charleston, South Carolina. While I had her blessing to choose the mountain for the family, she made no secret of her preferences.

“Dad,” Maddy said, “you know how to pick them, so in order of preference, I vote for Vail, then Beaver Creek, then Keystone.”

All fantastic mountains with first-rate resorts, and all of which make my short list every time as well. But in the absence of her big sister’s day-to-day presence at home, my younger daughter, Lilly, made her opinion known for our winter family reunion.

“Dad,” she said, “we just finished reading The Crucible in school. Can we go to Salem?”

Somewhat of a history buff myself, this sounded intriguing, as although I’ve been to Boston, I’ve never been to the infamous location of the witch trials just 30 minutes away. I had a dilemma: How can I satisfy both daughters’ requests without having to make a vacation Sophie’s Choice? I called my buddy, Dennis, who’s from Boston, and asked if there were any ski resorts near Boston worth their salt. “There is one,” he said without hesitation. “Loon Mountain Resort in Lincoln, New Hampshire, is the best. And I’ll take the Pepsi Challenge with their terrain and atmosphere against the big shots in Colorado any day.”

Really?

“Trust me.”

That was as ringing of an endorsement that Dennis had ever given anything. Our trip was planned.

A Witchy Time in Salem

We flew to Boston two days before the New Year and beelined it to Salem. Lilly had her mental copy of The Crucible and was rattling off the sites she wanted to see. Unfortunately, I failed to check availability in the middle of winter, and virtually everything was closed. What was open, however, was the annual Frozen Fire Festival right downtown.

The Frozen Fire Festival is the kind of event that makes you forget just how bone-chilling Massachusetts is in winter, especially for my Texas-born-and-raised daughters. (Truth be told, it was even bone-chilling for my Cleveland blood.) But there are rentable heated igloos on site, which provide a reprieve from the cold. The experience itself is truly singular, where winter’s bite is met head-on by the warmth of fire, community, creativity, and about a gallon of hot chocolate.

The “frozen” part speaks for itself: It’s seriously cold. But the “fire” element really makes Frozen Fire stand apart. There’s something primal and mesmerizing about watching fire dancers twirl their blazing staffs against the backdrop of snow-covered streets, or seeing aerial acrobats gracefully twirl through the air against the spooky backdrop that is Salem.

What makes the festival so special, though, isn’t just the spectacle. It’s the sense of community that pulses throughout. Salem’s small-town charm shines through on every corner—locals, families, and visitors all gathered together, sharing food, music, and laughter. The Frozen Fire Festival is a celebration of winter, to be sure, but it’s also a reminder of what makes New England, and its people, so warm and welcoming. This was the perfect preamble for the New Hampshire skiing adventure, which was one chilly evening away.

The Drive That Makes All the Difference

From the moment we crossed the state line into the Granite State, I could sense something special about the place. The air was crisp, and the mountain’s silhouette loomed gently against the sky. A scenic two-hour drive through most of New Hampshire delivered us to Loon Mountain in Lincoln.

To be clear, I’m not here to throw shade on the Rockies—those towering, majestic mountains have their rightful place in the annals of skiing lore. But anyone who’s ever spent a few days schlepping through airports with ski gear in tow knows how exhausting it can be. Lines, delays, connections, lost luggage—it’s not a stress-free way to start a vacation, especially over the New Year holiday, and while I’m all for adventure, there’s something to be said for the sheer simplicity of a quick drive from Boston Logan International Airport (much less treacherous than Colorado’s I-70), an airport that most cities can reach directly.

Compare that with a ski trip out to the Rockies, where even the simplest jaunt means hours of flying, followed by another long drive on a mountain switchback that regularly closes due to inclement weather. A family vacation should be about time together, not time spent stressing that the weather will hold for your drive. Loon Mountain’s proximity to Boston means the hassle of travel melts away, leaving more time for the slopes and the memories to take center stage.

The Mountain That’s Just Right

I’ll admit, my family has experienced the iconic resorts in the Rockies—places where the vast, sweeping terrain can be both awe-inspiring and intimidating. And, yes, the skiing is extraordinary, but so often, the sheer scale of the place means we spend more time trying to figure out where to go than actually skiing.

This is where Loon Mountain stands out. It’s got everything you need—without the overwhelming sense of scale that can come with some of the bigger resorts out west. Loon is not trying to be the biggest or the most exclusive; it’s trying to be just right. Whether you’re a beginner (like my wife and youngest daughter), an intermediate skier (like Maddy), or an expert (like Daddy), Loon has terrain for everyone and more importantly, green runs like Upper Bear Claw and Grand Junction that connect all of the levels. There’s no need to navigate across vast, sprawling areas to find the right run. Instead, you can focus on enjoying your time on the mountain and making the most of each run and from time to time, break off from the green to hit some challenging blues and blacks.

Loon is divided into three peaks: Loon Peak, North Peak, and South Peak. The layout is perfect for families. If you’ve got little ones or beginner skiers, the terrain at Loon Peak is gentle and forgiving. It’s ideal for building confidence without feeling rushed or pressured. It’s also the type of mountain that feels safe. There’s not the same chaos you find at large resorts in the Rockies, where the lines are longer, the runs are more challenging and the feeling of being part of a herd can sometimes detract from the overall experience.

For intermediate skiers, North Peak offers an inviting mix of blue and easy black diamond runs, with wide-open trails perfect for cruising. We had some of the best family bonding moments on these runs—chatting as we ski down, taking in the views, and appreciating the fact that the mountain feels like it’s ours. There’s space, there’s variety and there’s never that overwhelming sense of competition that you sometimes feel when skiing at a more crowded, high-profile resort.

And for those in the family who are seasoned skiers or snowboarders, South Peak has some serious terrain to challenge you. The black diamonds like Lower Twitcher and Jobber are fast, steep, and exhilarating. On a powder day, there’s nowhere else a skier would want to be.

Unlike some of the massive resorts in the Rockies, Loon has a great balance between relaxed cruising and serious adventure. The mountain never feels overcrowded, no matter the season, and there’s a sense of exploration on each run. You’re never hunting for that elusive piece of untouched snow—there’s always a corner of the mountain just waiting to be discovered.

The Mountain Club: A Home Away from Home

At the end of the day, the skiing is just one part of the equation. The true test of any family vacation is how it makes you feel when you come off the slopes. And that’s where The Mountain Club on Loon really shines.

There are plenty of ski-in, ski-out resorts in the White Mountains, but few of them manage to combine comfort, convenience, and charm the way The Mountain Club does. Located right at the base of Loon Mountain, it’s a cozy, welcoming place where comfort feels effortless. You don’t have to deal with crowded parking lots or spend your time waiting for a shuttle—just park your car (if you must), walk inside, and you’re practically on the slopes already.

The rooms themselves are spacious and equipped with everything you need for a relaxing stay, including full kitchens and showers with piping hot water and consistent pressure. For families, The Mountain Club has everything from studios to one- and two-bedroom suites, which are perfect for spreading out and enjoying a little bit of downtime. The best part? You don’t need to leave the resort to eat—The Black Diamond Grille is right on-site, serving up delicious comfort food and a selection of local New England dishes that hit the spot after a long day of skiing. We stayed over New Year’s, and the all-you-can-eat New Year’s Eve buffet, complete with bottomless shrimp and raw oysters, isn’t even a thing out west.

But it’s not just the convenience and comfort that makes The Mountain Club special. It’s the vibe. Unlike many of the more exclusive, high-end resorts in the Rockies, The Mountain Club feels approachable. It’s a place where families are encouraged to be themselves, where kids can safely play in the heated indoor pool, and where parents can indulge in a much-needed soak in the hot tub. And you likely won’t see the teens – they’ll mob up with others they meet at the pool.

Loon’s relaxed atmosphere carries over to The Mountain Club. There’s no need to worry about overpriced meals or valet parking. Instead, everything feels easy. After all, it’s not the luxury that makes a vacation memorable (even though that’s there, too): it’s the shared moments, the laughter, the ease with which you can move between fun and relaxation.

The Unmatched Appeal of the Northeast

So, why the East, and why Loon? The answer, to me, is simple: Loon is a place where the whole family can enjoy skiing on their own terms, without the stress and pretension of many Western resorts. It’s accessible. It’s affordable, and it’s most certainly not trying to impress you with its size or exclusivity. Rather, it impresses you with its balance and family appeal.

When you combine it with the comfort and convenience of The Mountain Club, you have a family ski vacation that’s as stress-free as it is unforgettable. Throw in a night in Salem and the Frozen Fire Festival for good measure, and you have a lasting memory, one the college kid can take back with her.

The Rockies are magnificent, but when it comes to a ski trip that prioritizes family, fun, and ease, the East is the clear winner.

Trust Dennis.