Loon's flagship gondola could be replaced by a new, larger model in less than two years if United States Forest Service approval is received.
In a filing posted today, Loon requested permission to replace its 4-person gondola with a Doppelmayr D-Line Omega 10-person gondola. The new lift would follow the same lift line, with the base terminal being located in front of the current building. The uphill capacity would increase from 1,000 to 2,400 people per hour.
The first Loon gondola was installed by PHB for the debut 1966-67 season and was largely removed in 1988 and sold to Lutsen, Minnesota. A 4-person Doppelmayr was installed in its place, reusing many of the original towers. New gondola cabins were installed in 2018.
Loon Gondola Cabin Replacement (2018)
The gondola operates year-round, climbing 1,738 vertical feet over a run of 6,970 feet.
According to the application, "The current gondola is one of the oldest detachable lifts in New England and nearing the end of its life cycle. The purpose of this project is to proactively replace this critical lift for continuity of operations. The need is driven by the age of the infrastructure and dependence on this lift for both winter and summer operations. Visitation at Loon has increased significantly since 1988 when the current gondola was installed. Increasing the uphill capacity of the existing lift from 1,000 people per hour to approximately 1,800 to 2,400 people per hour would better serve guests."
Construction is currently proposed for April 2027 to November 2027, but a multi-year timeline is also suggested, with clearing and concrete work taking place first.
The only other operational gondola in New Hampshire is the 8-person lift installed at Bretton Woods in 2019. Gondolas previously operated at Mt. Whittier and Wildcat.
