The biggest storm of the season for most ski areas dropped a foot and a half of dense fresh at Cannon. The powder frenzy was on. Given poor roads and most mountains receiving similar snow totals, staying close to home was a no brainer. I queued up early for the Peabody and went straight for the Front Five taking two laps down Paulie’s before heading for the summit.

The untracked went faster than I could have imagined possible. Later that morning, the trails emptied as many local skiers that skipped out on work for the morning left the mountain to make their afternoon shift. I have done the same, I know the game. But the damage was done, it was time to go hunting off map.

But off map woods were still in base building mode. The new snow was dense and substantial but not consolidated and solidified. The steepest, tightest, and knarliest lines still contained tree snakes, rocks, stumps, and other such dangerous hidden obstacles to deal with. It looked like mid-winter but Cannon is still base building in its best off map lines.

Back on the map, Tramline never opened despite Cannon’s Facebook and snow report pumping up that it “might” open. It was a bait and switch at its finest. If a trail isn’t all but guaranteed to open, it should not be mentioned by name in a snow conditions report or social media post. Kinsman Glade was already sacked by early afternoon with many extremely thin sections requiring cautious turns and patience.

When I reached the tram station after skiing Kinsman Glade, I was greeted by skiers leaving the building. The tram was closed due to high winds at the summit (which I felt during my previous ride). While many skiers complained and grumbled, I could only laugh and smile. An announcement was made that a shuttle would bus skiers to the Peabody. But I shouldered my skis and started hiking. Cannon makes you work for it. It sure wasn’t my first hike of the day by any means, but it would definitely be my last.

With both the Tram and the Cannonball off line due to winds, I lapped the Zoomer where the weather was calm. Echo Woods was still skiing very well with excellent lines. I skied until my turns got sloppy and my body begged for mercy before calling it a day.

Echo Woods