Loon Mountain vs Ragged Mountain — Which Is Better?

Loon Mountain and Ragged Mountain are genuinely similar mountains. If you're a beginner or intermediate skier planning a week-long holiday, either will keep you busy. The decision probably comes down to travel logistics and price rather than anything you'd notice on the hill.

Loon Mountain
Ragged Mountain

Side-by-Side Stats

Highlighted cells indicate the stronger result for each metric. Numbers are measurements — compare them directly.

Loon MountainRagged Mountain
Vertical Drop
Height from top to bottom — more is a longer, bigger mountain feeling
369m (1,211ft)381m (1,250ft)
Summit Elevation
How high the mountain reaches — higher tends to mean colder, drier snow
908m (2,979ft)668m (2,192ft)
Base Elevation
Height of the base village — affects snow quality at the bottom of the mountain
305m (1,001ft)287m (942ft)
Annual Snowfall
Average natural snowfall per season — more means better powder odds
305cm (120in)350cm (138in)
Trail Count
Total marked runs — more variety over a week-long trip
6157
Lift Count
Total lifts — more lifts typically means shorter queues and better mountain access
96
Resort Size
Total groomed and patrolled terrain
358 acres220 acres
Beginner Terrain
Percentage of trails rated beginner — higher means more options for new skiers
21%25%
Intermediate Terrain
Percentage of trails rated intermediate — the core terrain for most holiday skiers
57%50%
Advanced Terrain
Percentage of trails rated advanced or expert — higher means more challenge
22%25%

Getting there

How you actually reach each resort. Times are the whole airport-to-base journey by the realistic route (drive, or rail where that is the practical option).

Loon MountainRagged Mountain
Access tier
Overall ease of reaching the resort
moderateeasy
Trip shape
Whether one flight gets you within a ground leg, or a connection to a regional airport is required
One flight inOne flight in
Closest airport
Nearest airport and the whole journey time to the base
Manchester (MHT), 1h 50mManchester (MHT), 1h 24m
Other airports
Alternative gateways, including a bigger hub where one is in range
Boston (BOS) 2h 37m, Montréal (YUL) 4h 7mBoston (BOS) 2h 10m, Montréal (YUL) 4h 35m

Category Breakdown

These resorts are more alike than different. The right choice depends more on location, price, and personal preference than measurable mountain stats.

Vertical DropSimilar

Both resorts have comparable vertical drop, so you'll get a similar length run at either mountain.

Annual SnowfallSimilar

Both resorts receive similar annual snowfall, so you can expect comparable snow conditions at either.

Beginner TerrainSimilar

Both resorts offer a similar proportion of beginner terrain, so neither has a meaningful edge for first-timers.

Mountain SizeSimilar

Both resorts are similar in size, so you'll have roughly the same amount of terrain to explore.

Snow PreservationSimilar

Both resorts sit at similar base elevations, so snow quality and preservation are comparable.

Getting ThereRagged Mountain wins

Ragged Mountain is easier to reach: one flight to Manchester (MHT), then about 1h 24m to the base. Loon Mountain means one flight to Manchester (MHT), then about 1h 50m to the base.

Who Should Choose Which?

Ragged Mountain
Intermediate and advanced skiers wanting variety

Ragged Mountain wins on the stats that matter most for experienced skiers: more mountain to explore over a full week.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for beginners, Loon Mountain or Ragged Mountain?

Both resorts offer a similar amount of beginner terrain (Loon Mountain: 21%, Ragged Mountain: 25%), so neither has a clear edge for first-timers. Focus on which resort offers better ski school programs and convenience for your group.

Which resort gets more snow, Loon Mountain or Ragged Mountain?

Loon Mountain (305 cm/year) and Ragged Mountain (350 cm/year) receive similar annual snowfall. Neither has a meaningful snow advantage; other factors like aspect, elevation, and grooming matter more day-to-day.

Which mountain is bigger, Loon Mountain or Ragged Mountain?

Loon Mountain is the larger mountain by trail count (Loon Mountain: 61 trails, Ragged Mountain: 57 trails). On a week-long trip, a bigger mountain means more variety and a lower chance of feeling like you've exhausted the terrain.

Which has better terrain for expert skiers?

Both resorts offer a similar proportion of advanced terrain (Loon Mountain: 22%, Ragged Mountain: 25%). Expert skiers should look beyond percentages at the quality of the black runs, off-piste access, and whether there's lift-accessed backcountry terrain.

Which resort is better for families?

Both Loon Mountain and Ragged Mountain are similarly suited to families. Look at ski school quality, on-mountain kids' facilities, and accommodation proximity to lifts when making your final decision; those practical factors matter more than raw stats for a family trip.

Related Comparisons

Other matchups featuring these resorts and their regional peers.

Full Stats