Loon Unveils Black Ridge, a 272-Acre Terrain Expansion
New in-bounds tree-skiing area will make Loon the largest ski resort in New Hampshire.
LINCOLN, N.H., September 1, 2026 — Loon Mountain Resort will become the largest ski resort in New Hampshire with the addition of Black Ridge, a 272-acre expansion of expert-only, in-bounds tree-skiing. The expansion will increase the resort’s total skiable terrain by 67%, from 403 acres to 675 acres, when Black Ridge is slated to open in winter 2027-2028.
Located off North Peak, the resort’s tallest peak, Black Ridge’s skiable terrain will feature expansive areas with dense pine forests, steep gullies, and open hardwood glades. “Black Ridge gives our most advanced guests something genuinely different — real forest character, inside our boundary, without losing what makes this terrain wild,” said Brian Norton, President and General Manager of Loon Mountain Resort.
Loon currently maintains 35 acres of in-bounds tree-skiing. Black Ridge adds 272 more — bringing the total to 307 acres, nearly eight times what the resort maintains today.
Different on Purpose
Getting there will be part of the experience. Guests will access the gated entrance to Black Ridge via the North Peak Express Quad. From there, skiers and riders will traverse up to 1.25 miles east where some hiking may be needed. Skiers and snowboarders can choose their own route through the vast forest, with the terrain eventually bringing them back to lift access at North Peak.
The experience at Black Ridge will be unlike any other at Loon. “Black Ridge isn't for everyone, and that's the point,” said Norton. “It's a true rugged experience — natural and raw, unlike anything else we maintain at Loon today.”
Primarily west-facing, the terrain at Black Ridge has a vertical drop of 1,350 feet and reaches 2,850 feet in elevation at the summit. This area will rely on natural snow conditions, with no snow grooming or snowmaking.
A Forest Partnership
The Black Ridge expansion is a collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service, following an approved expansion to Loon’s Special Use Permit Boundary within the White Mountain National Forest. The resort is focused on maintaining the area’s natural character while preparing the glades for skiing and snowboarding, a reflection of its commitment to improving the on-mountain experience while respecting the natural habitats and landscape of the area.
No additional chairlift access is planned for the area, with on-mountain work for Black Ridge slated to begin in early 2027. Read more about the project here.