Cannon Mountain
285 acres, 97 runs in Franconia Notch. NH's only aerial tram, challenging terrain, Indy Pass access.
Season 2025 - 2026
Opens
6 Dec 2025
Closes
12 Apr 2026
Days open
127
Annual snow
11ft
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Cannon Mountain's summit reaches 4,081 feet, dropping 2,180 vertical feet to a base at 1,900 feet across 97 runs spread over 285 acres within Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire. Terrain splits 53 per cent intermediate and 33 per cent advanced, with no expert-rated runs and 14 per cent beginner terrain, and average annual snowfall of roughly 130 inches. The resort carries Indy Pass affiliation. Eleven lifts, including one aerial tram and three quad chairs, serve the mountain alongside one double chair, three triple chairs, one surface lift and two t-bars.
Cannon Mountain operates as a state-owned ski area, one of just two such resorts in New Hampshire, and is home to the state's only aerial tramway, a genuinely historic piece of engineering that remains central to the mountain's identity. Its challenging, largely intermediate-and-advanced terrain has earned Cannon a reputation among serious Northeast skiers as one of the region's more demanding mountains.
The concept for an aerial tramway at Cannon originated in 1933, when Alexander Bright of the Franconia Ski Club proposed the idea after experiencing similar systems in Europe. In June 1937, the New Hampshire legislature passed a bill authorising a 250,000 US dollar bond issue to finance the tramway's construction, an engineering feat completed almost entirely by hand, involving 32 carloads of cement, 232 tons of steel and four miles of cable. On 28 June 1938, North America's first aerial tramway was dedicated at Cannon, quickly becoming a major tourist attraction that carried 163,000 passengers in its first year alone.
Cannon has remained under New Hampshire state ownership throughout its history, distinguishing it from the majority of the region's privately operated resorts. Adult daily tickets run from 79 to 99 US dollars, with a discounted rate available for New Hampshire residents.
2,182ft
Vertical
97
Runs
285 acres
Skiable
11ft
Annual snow
Indy
Pass
The Terrain
97 runs across 285 acres skiable
Cannon Mountain spreads 97 runs across 285 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 53%, with 14 beginner runs to find your feet and 32 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
97
runs
97 runs across 4 grades
Beginner14 runs · 14%
Intermediate51 runs · 53%
Advanced32 runs · 33%
Expert0 runs · 0%
Time it right
When to visit Cannon Mountain
The 2025-26 season at Cannon Mountain ran from 6 December 2025 to 12 April 2026, a roughly nineteen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 130 inches. Season dates can shift depending on early and late-season weather within Franconia Notch.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions to Cannon's intermediate-and-advanced-weighted terrain, among the more challenging in the Northeast. As an Indy Pass resort, Cannon draws some visiting skiers holding that multi-resort pass alongside its core regional visitor base drawn to the mountain's demanding reputation and historic aerial tram.
As one of New Hampshire's two state-owned ski areas, alongside Mount Sunapee's state park lease arrangement, Cannon benefits from a discounted resident-pricing structure that supports strong local New Hampshire visitation throughout the season. School holiday periods bring some family visitation, though the resort's terrain profile skews toward more experienced skiers.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations and the aerial tram's tourist appeal is not confirmed in available resort information. Cannon's continuous state ownership throughout its history, dating to the tramway's 1938 dedication, continues to shape its public-access mission each season. The mountain's genuinely challenging terrain and historic tram remain central to its seasonal identity.
Season 2025 - 2026
6 Dec 2025
Opens
12 Apr 2026
Closes
127
Days open
11 ft
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Cannon Mountain, and where to stay
Cannon Mountain sits within Franconia Notch State Park in New Hampshire's White Mountains, with a base elevation of 1,900 feet and a summit at 4,081 feet across a 2,180-foot vertical drop over 285 acres. This dramatic mountain pass setting places Cannon within one of the most scenic protected landscapes in the Northeast.
Franconia and the broader Franconia Notch region offer lodging, dining and additional attractions within the state park itself and nearby towns. The White Mountains region surrounds the resort with extensive further outdoor recreation, from hiking trails to other nearby ski areas.
Interstate 93 runs directly through Franconia Notch, providing convenient access to Cannon Mountain from both the north and south. Winter driving conditions through the notch can include snow and ice, though the well-travelled interstate is regularly maintained given its role as a major regional corridor. There is no direct public transport service to the mountain.
Specific nearest commercial airport details are not confirmed in available resort information, though Cannon's location along Interstate 93 keeps it within a reasonable drive of the greater Boston metropolitan area's major airports for visitors travelling from further afield.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Cannon Mountain, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Cannon Mountain's ski season?
Cannon Mountain's 2025 - 2026 season typically runs from December 6 through April 12. That window is roughly 127 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in New Hampshire, Usa often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Cannon Mountain have?
Cannon Mountain lists about 285 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 97 named runs (115 hectares alongside 285 acres skiable). That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Cannon Mountain?
Trail grading at Cannon Mountain breaks down roughly as 14% beginner, 53% intermediate, 33% advanced. The mix is balanced enough for mixed-ability groups, so learners can stay on marked green/blue (Green/Blue) terrain while stronger skiers peel off to steeper pitches.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical feet. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Cannon Mountain have?
Cannon Mountain operates 11 lifts across 6 lift types. The fleet includes 3 quad chairs, 3 triple chairs, 2 t-bars, 1 aerial tram, 1 double chair, and 1 surface lift.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Cannon Mountain?
Base elevation at Cannon Mountain is about 1,900 ft (579 m), with the summit around 4,081 ft (1,244 m), giving roughly 2,182 ft (665 m) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Cannon Mountain get each season?
Cannon Mountain averages about 130 inches (330 cm) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Does Cannon Mountain accept the Indy?
Cannon Mountain is affiliated with the Indy. Pass holders should confirm current season benefits, blackout dates, and reservation rules on the pass issuer's site. Policies change year to year and can differ between international and domestic products.
If you are not on Indy, day tickets and multi-day bundles are still available; see the lift tickets page for published rates and purchase links.
Where can I buy Cannon Mountain lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans US$69 to US$99, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Cannon Mountain before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 2 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Cannon Mountain so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Cannon Mountain have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Cannon Mountain. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Cannon Mountain located?
Cannon Mountain sits in New Hampshire, Usa. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
FIS Weighs Holding World Championships in Almost Every Winter, Starting 2032
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4 Sept 2026
Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026
Mount Buller closes out its 2026 season this Sunday, joining Falls Creek, Hotham and Charlotte Pass in a cluster of closures landing almost simultaneously and roughly a month ahead of schedule. The culprit is stark: Spencers Creek's benchmark snow depth hit 31.2cm on 3 September, just 18% of the 73-year average and an all-time low for this point in the season. Six of Victoria and NSW's best-known resorts will have shut their lifts early within a span of about two and a half weeks.
4 Sept 2026
Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season
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2 Sept 2026
Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6
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1 Sept 2026
Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028
Thredbo Alpine Resort has confirmed plans to replace its 37-year-old Gunbarrel quad chairlift with a new six-seat Doppelmayr D-Line, targeting winter 2028. The AUD 35 million project will keep travel time roughly the same but lift capacity from 2,800 to 3,000 skiers per hour. It's part of a broader investment push that also includes doubled snowmaking capacity at Friday Flat for 2027, with the ageing Kosciuszko Express now flagged as the resort's next major lift replacement after Gunbarrel.
31 Aug 2026
Aerial Tram Collides With Crane at Alpe d'Huez: 23 Injured
An aerial tram carrying around fifty passengers struck the boom of a construction crane on the route to Pic Blanc at Alpe d'Huez on Wednesday morning, injuring 23 people, three seriously. The cabin tipped on impact before the operator reversed it to right the car. Most of the injured were treated on site, with five taken to hospital in Grenoble, including a pregnant woman assessed as a precaution.
28 Aug 2026
Why Glaciers Are Collapsing - And What Happens When They Do
A deadly flood on the Nepal-China border, a decade-old tragedy on Italy's Marmolada, and an unstable glacier right now above a village near Zermatt - three very different mountain ranges, the same underlying story. Warming ice is destabilising terrain that was considered settled for generations, and the results range from catastrophic floods to slow-motion monitoring situations that could go either way.
27 Aug 2026
Pitztal Glacier Set to Reopen for the 2026/27 Ski Season on 26 September
Tyrol's highest ski area is gearing up to open a full month ahead of most of the Alps. The Pitztal Glacier is scheduled to start its 2026/27 season on Saturday 26 September, running through to 2 May 2027, with the lower-altitude Rifflsee area following in December. High-altitude terrain up to 3,440 metres gives the glacier a head start on snow, though as always, the actual opening extent will depend on how September's weather plays out. Early online ski pass bookings can save up to 30%.
26 Aug 2026