Cannon is one of the oldest ski areas in New Hampshire and offers some of the best terrain in the state across two peaks. Cannon Mountain contains the Aerial Tram and lots of terrain for beginner to expert skiers while the Mittersill side has terrain for mostly experienced skiers and contains the widest trail in New Hampshire in the Taft Training Slope. The Ariel Tram has been in the news this season as the New Hampshire State Senate approved $25 million for a new tramway to be constructed. This is not the first time that Cannon would have received a new tram as the old tram was replaced and the current day tram debuted in the 1979-1980 ski season.
Cannon has a rich history that begins with the Richard Taft Trail being the first one cut in 1933. The tram was then constructed and completely changed the early ski scene in New Hampshire along with Cranmore’s Skimobile. To expand terrain Cannon then opened a T Bar in 1940 along with the Hardscrabble trails as there were more skier visits. In 1949 and 1950, Cannon added Tramway, Easy Way, and Paulie’s Folly. With a couple of slow ski seasons, Cannon requested $25,000 from the state which caused some controversy as the owners of Black Mountain, Cranmore, and Thorn Mountain threatened to close their ski areas if Cannon got the grant. After getting these funds in 1953, Cannon was able to create the Peabody Base Lodge and add another T Bar.
In 1962, Cannon decided to add major upgrades in terms of lifts. There was a new double chair in the Peabody area, T Bar on the Banshee Slope, and a plan to add a chairlift in the Zoomer Area. This would double the number of skiers that it could take uphill per hour. Snowmaking first arrived at Cannon in 1969 and the new tram debuted in 1980. The Cannonball Quad was installed and first appeared in 1990 along with the Profile slope. In 1999 the double chair in the Peabody area was replaced with the current Peabody Quad. In 2003, the Tuckerbrook Area was formed and then Cannon went out and acquired the Mittersill area in 2009 to expand the ski area once more. On the Mittersill side the main goal became a ski racing area as Baron’s Run was widened and Taft Training Slope was developed. Today, Cannon remains operated by the state and has some of the best terrain in the state.
Disclaimer: All historical information was found on www.newenglandskihistory.com.
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