
Cannon Mountain
285 acres, 97 runs in Franconia Notch. NH's only aerial tram, challenging terrain, Indy Pass access.
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.
Cannon Mountain stands inside Franconia Notch State Park in New Hampshire, with 97 runs over 285 acres (115 hectares). A vertical of 2,180 ft (665 m) runs from a 1,900 ft (579 m) base to a 4,080 ft (1,244 m) summit, a substantial drop by New England standards. The mix is 14% beginner, 53% intermediate and 33% advanced, so the mountain asks more of its skiers than the percentages first suggest. Snowfall averages around 130 inches a year. An aerial tram carries skiers to the top, and the trails fall away steeply from there.
The Peabody Slopes at the bottom hold four long beginner runs - Lower Cannon, Parkway, Gremlin and Turnpike - reached from the Peabody base area. Higher up, the Front Five are the steep trails that built Cannon's reputation, and the Zoomer complex brings intermediate and expert terrain, with bumps stacking up on Paulies Folly under the lift. Mittersill, managed by Cannon since 2009, adds 86 acres of natural terrain, linked by the Taft Trail from the summit. Cannon suits confident intermediates and advanced skiers, while beginners are best kept on the Peabody runs.
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.
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.
Hotels and lodges near Cannon Mountain, powered by Stay22.

The Val Gardena-Alpe di Siusi lift link isn’t dead after all. A South Tyrol court has overturned Santa Cristina’s rejection of the new Monte Pana-Saltria link on procedural grounds, after the council skipped required public information sessions. Opponents want the missing sessions held and a fresh vote, and nothing has been approved. For now it’s still a bus between the two, but a plan first floated in 2017 is back in the conversation.

A section of Whistler Peak terrain will stay closed all 2026-27 season, Vail Resorts has confirmed, with rockslide mitigation work continuing into summer 2027. Peak Express is still expected to run this winter, but locals are already arguing about what’s actually off limits, whether the Whistler Bowl is gone, and why the news landed after pass sales wound down. Here’s where things stand.

Loveland is open. The Colorado ski area started Chet’s Dream turning on Saturday 7 November to kick off 2026-27, with $60 adult lift tickets to mark 60 years of snowmaking. Expect three runs, nearly 1,000 vertical feet (about 300 metres) of top-to-bottom skiing, live music on the Basin Patio and no beginner terrain yet. Here’s what’s open, what it costs and when Loveland Valley follows.

Fried chicken is heading up the Dolomites. From 5 December KFC will run two restaurants on the slopes - one at 2,123 metres at Cortina, one at 1,700 metres at Madonna di Campiglio - and the polenta-and-canederli crowd has opinions. Local politicians, conservation groups and plenty of Facebook commenters are calling it a step too far, while others just want a cheaper lunch. Here’s what’s on the menu and what’s the fuss.

Mt Rose is going for the first-in-Tahoe title, with the Lakeview Express due to spin at 9 a.m. on Friday, November 6. One main lift, three runs and plenty of snowmaking, sitting on the highest base elevation in the region at 8,260 ft. Here is what is open, what is not (sorry, tubing fans), and how the early North American openings are stacking up.

Europe has had a quiet start to November, but our 10-day forecast has Serre Chevalier on 82 cm and Les 2 Alpes on 71 cm. Two pushes are lined up: a western Alps top-up from Friday, then a bigger, wider system on Thursday, November 12 and Friday, November 13 that reaches Italy and Switzerland. Full leaderboard inside.

Mammoth just moved opening day forward to Thursday, November 5, eight days ahead of schedule. A snowy weekend and cold snowmaking nights did the work, and our forecast shows up to 33 inches more landing on November 13 and 14. Here is what opens, what the weather looks like and where Mammoth sits among the early Ikon Pass openers.

Rain down low, snow up high, and a snow report full of zeros that mostly means ‘not updated yet’. Utah’s first proper storm of 2026-27 is rolling through the Wasatch, Snowbird’s snow stake is closing in on 10 inches, and Brian Head is five days from opening day. Early November snow rarely looks like much, but it is the layer every November opening date is built on. Here is where it stands.
Opening day for the winter 2026 - 2027 season is scheduled for Nov 27, 2026 (subject to change). Lift tickets at Cannon Mountain typically go on sale well before the start of the ski season.
Day passes start from US$69, with peak rates up to US$99.
Experience Cannon Mountain's legendary challenging terrain in spectacular Franconia Notch State Park. New Hampshire's state-owned resort features the famous Aerial Tramway, steep challenging runs, and authentic New England skiing tradition with affordable state park pricing.
Buy passYouth lift tickets at Cannon Mountain provide access to New Hampshire's most challenging state-owned resort. Experience the legendary Aerial Tramway and steep terrain that has trained Olympic athletes in the dramatic setting of Franconia Notch.
Buy passNew Hampshire residents receive special pricing at state-owned Cannon Mountain. Show valid NH ID for discounted access to legendary challenging terrain, the Aerial Tramway, and classic Franconia Notch skiing.
Buy passWhite Mountain Super Pass includes unlimited access to Cannon Mountain plus Bretton Woods, Cranmore, and Waterville Valley. Experience New Hampshire's most comprehensive multi-resort pass with access to four distinct White Mountain ski areas.
Buy passMore Cannon Mountain intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.