Classic Cannon delivers a hearty New England challenge

Cannon’s 70-passenger aerial tramway offers one of the most spectacular views in ski country. (Cannon Mountain)

From its elevated perch in the rugged White Mountains of New Hampshire — and boasting the highest ski area summit in the state — a weekend visit to Cannon Mountain is like opening a picture window into skiing history. Situated at the north end of Kinsman Ridge in Franconia Notch State Park, Cannon is renowned for its arduous winter conditions, challenging terrain and spectacular views not only of the notch and the White Mountain National Forest, but also farther out to mountain peaks across four states and Canada.

Cannon is one of the few state-owned ski areas in the country, a distinction that shapes its operations and priorities. It is managed by the New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation, which operates 93 state parks across the state. The Cannon Mountain community proudly stands apart in an era dominated by glitzy mega-resorts.

“Cannon Mountain is one of the oldest ski resorts in the country and, in fact, is home to the first paid ski patrol in the country and the first passenger tramway in North America,” said Jen Karnan, Cannon’s director of marketing and sales. “Folks come to Cannon to enjoy that deep-rooted New Hampshire authenticity and small-town hospitality, while experiencing some of the most challenging terrain in New England, without the frills.”

Pioneers of skiing

The Cannon Mountain region was among the first in the U.S. to embrace alpine skiing, helping to popularize the sport during the 1930s. Home to one of the oldest ski clubs in the United States, the Franconia Ski Club, the mountain played host to some of the earliest slalom ski races in the country, staged on the historic Richard Taft Trail as far back as 1933. Taft was a former manager of the Profile House in Franconia Notch, and the Taft Trail was one of the earliest trails cut for alpine skiing.

The Franconia Ski Club continues to thrive and remains a vibrant partner with Cannon in curating a love for skiing and racing through youth and competition programs. Many of its alumni, which includes four-time Olympian Bode Miller, have gone on to compete and win on the international stage. Karnan said the club has raised generations of young athletes who grow up to compete at a higher level, coach, work in the ski industry, or at the very least, love skiing at Cannon.

“Franconia Ski Club is an organization native to Cannon and part of its identity, having been around since 1933, before the ski area was a ski area,” Karnan said. “FSC and Cannon Mountain have a deeply rooted symbiotic relationship that has fostered major developments over their rich history, including the reopening and recent improvements at Mittersill.”

Mittersill opened independently during the 1930s when Austrian Baron Hubert von Pantz created an area modeled after European resorts. Opening in 1935, skiers were attracted to its blending of Austrian charm with challenging terrain. The area ceased operations during the 1970s, but after acquiring Mittersill in 2009, the state ultimately integrated it into Cannon’s network of slopes.

Today, Mittersill is known for its natural terrain and backcountry-style skiing experience that appeals to traditionalists. It also is renowned as a hub for elite ski racing, as the Mittersill Racing Academy and Performance Center provides world-class training facilities for competitive athletes, including advanced racing trails and equipment. The center is the home of the Franconia Ski Club and the Holderness School’s Eastern Alpine Program.

The tram

North America’s first aerial tramway opened at Cannon in 1938. This pioneering lift revolutionized access to alpine terrain and has become Cannon’s emblem and an icon of tourism for the entire state. The original tramway could carry 27 passengers. It was replaced by an updated tram in 1980, which transports up to 70 passengers per trip to the 4,080-foot summit in under 10 minutes.

“The Aerial Tramway is synonymous with Cannon Mountain and is one of New Hampshire’s treasures,” Karnan said. “Its inception helped confirm the viability of skiing as an industry in New Hampshire, which continues to thrive as one of the major sources of tourism revenue to this day. The tram has taken millions to the summit of the highest ski area in New Hampshire in all seasons and is adored by locals and visitors alike.”

However, the tram’s aging infrastructure has prompted debates about its future. Repairs have become increasingly costly, and state officials are exploring alternatives. Proposals range from a modern replacement to a gondola system. In 2023, the state legislature approved an $18 million appropriation to the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to fund maintenance and operation of a new tramway, but the only bid received to replace the lift came in millions more than expected.

“The tram project is in the early stages of development at the moment,” Karnan said. “There are plans in the works to replace the tram cars, and we are assessing additional options for the project. We hope to see it completed within the next couple years, but we do not currently have a set timeline.”

The tram is one of the state’s most significant tourist attractions. An observation deck at the summit provides panoramic views of the mountains and valleys during all seasons, and the New England Ski Museum is situated near the tramway base, providing an accessible deep dive into the sport’s history. NESM’s permanent exhibition, “From the First Tracks to the Fall Line: Eight Thousand Years of Skiing,” is a timeline of the development of skiing from its prehistoric roots until the advent of the shaped ski in the 1990s. It also shines light on local ski history’s impact nationally, including important “firsts” at Cannon Mountain.

The skiing

Cannon’s 98 trails are serviced by 10 lifts, and the ski area’s 2,180-foot vertical drop is the longest in the state. With a northern exposure that enhances snow retention and lengthy ski seasons that stretch from November through April, conditions often can be icy or windblown. The terrain has earned Cannon a reputation that appeals to skiers who enjoy a raw, challenging mountain experience.

At 4,080 feet, Cannon’s summit is the highest in the state for a ski area. The mountain has three sub-peaks that are collectively known as the Cannon Balls. Cannon’s famed Front Five trails — Avalanche, Paulie’s Extension, Gary’s, Rocket and Zoomer — offer sustained, steep pitches that reward aggressive skiers and solid technique.

Tuckerbrook is the resort’s family learning area, separate from the challenging areas but still easily accessible from the main base area. Tuckerbrook provides safe terrain for beginners and families who are learning how to ski or snowboard and gain confidence.

What’s new

While Cannon hasn’t announced major capital improvements for 2024-25, Karnan said guests can look forward to several exciting developments designed to enhance their overall experience this winter.

“Our mountain operations team has put a strong priority on grooming and snowmaking to ensure high-quality conditions from the very start of the season,” Karnan said. “We have cut a new glade from the summit, bringing Cannon’s total trail count to 98. In addition to its weekend operations during the season, we intend to run the Aerial Tramway during New Hampshire Resident Wednesday once a month for our midweek skiers and riders.”

Karnan said the mountain will strive to have beginner area lifts, including Tuckerbrook, Brookside and Eagle Cliff, open for more consistent stretches this season to provide first-timers and those new to the sport more opportunity to access the mountain’s extensive variety of learning terrain.

“During peak times, we’ll introduce several activities,” she said. “First, we’ll streamline online reservations pickups for lift tickets, rentals and lessons, allowing visitors to get on the slopes faster. New this year, during weekends and peak periods, we’ll have a complimentary, supervised bag check in the Peabody Lodge; in off-peak periods, bag check will be complimentary and self-service. Additionally, our dining facilities, including the Cannonball Pub and the Peabody Café, will continue to offer top-tier food and beverage options via a revised menu. Meanwhile, guests will see Powdermakers Café open during peak periods, offering a variety of grab-and-go options for those who’d rather keep their ski day going and avoid the lines.”

Cannon Snowsports will continue to operate its school program that provides upward of 20 local schools with discounted ski and snowboard opportunities for kids in the north country.

CANNON MOUNTAIN FACTS

Vertical: 2,180 feet
Summit elevation: 4,080 feet
Trails/glades: 98 (33% most difficult, 52% more difficult, 15% easier)
Skiable acres: 287
Lifts: 10
Website: cannonmt.com