Category: Cannon Mountain

2022-2023 Season, Cannon Mountain, February, Powder Day

Double Day, Part Two: Cannon

Candyland

Continued from Part One

While driving home from Jay, after only a few hours of lackluster skiing, I was replaying my helmet issue in my head. Why wouldn’t the ear pads fit into my helmet? What made them pop out without warning?

As I approached Franconia, I recalled that I had two helmets. Perhaps they had different ear pads and I had jammed the wrong set into my helmet? While driving, I rummaged through the pockets in my boot bag. And, sure enough, I found another set of ear pads. What a fucking idiot.

I started the approach to Franconia Notch and Cannon loomed large. By now, I had compared snow reports on my phone, and I knew Cannon had received more than three times the few inches that Jay had received. It was almost two o’clock, not much time left for the lifts. But, I had the sudden urge to stop at Cannon and resume my ski day, with my helmet and with leftovers from a foot of fresh.

I was glad I stopped! The skiing at Cannon was phenomenal. While I was many hours late to first tracks, I used my knowledge of the mountain to find the best snow and enough untracked to justify a powder day tag. It was only the second day I have ever skied two areas on the same day, and certainly the first time I had done so without planning it that way.

2021-2022 Season, Cannon Mountain, February

Cannon: A Bust

With a big storm predicted, I made plans for Cannon. But, as with many storms this season, the storm fizzled and impacted areas south of the notch more than the notch itself. I had a disheartening feeling as road conditions improved the further north that I drove.

I knew that would be the case. But I had hoped for at least a half a foot or more at Cannon. But, it was a total bust. Groomers with a light dusting skied better than natural snow, still recovering from the latest rain-freeze event.

As a positive, at least this storm didn’t turn to rain?

2021-2022 Season, Cannon Mountain, December

Cannon: Opening Weekend

Lafayette and Lincoln

Cannon’s opening weekend was impressive considering warm November temperatures that pushed the first day back into December. The end of November storm definitely helped. But Cannon’s firepower clearly did the overwhelming majority of the work.

Upper mountain trails included Tramway, Upper Cannon, Upper Ravine, and Taft Slalom. The Links, Middle Cannon, Middle Ravine, Spookie, Rock Garden, and Gremlin were all open at mid-mountain. Everything funneled into Lower Cannon and Lower Gremlin.

I started on the upper mountain and lapped the Cannonball Quad until a line developed. Then I skied back down to the Peabody for more ski on lift rides until the Cannonball Quad emptied out. It was good practice for staying ahead of the crowd.

Due to the previous night’s rain/freeze, conditions were hard and firm. The upper mountain was pleasantly edgeable until mid-morning. Lower mountain was decidedly loose granular and serviceable but not much fun. I called it after a few hours.

2021-2022 Season, Cannon Mountain, Earned Turns, November, Powder Day

Cannon: It’s Still Home

Banshee Skinning

I briefly considered Jay. Two years ago, that would have been the play. Jay received a bit more accumulation and offered plenty of “reserved” untracked. But I wanted to hike and ski, not ride lifts and duck ropes. Over the years, Cannon’s Front Five has consistently provided some of the best early season powder skiing. Fall storms always seem to over deliver at Cannon. And, after all these years, it’s still home.

Paulie's

The lack of cars was surprising. I followed the usual skin track up Banshee to an almost untouched Avalanche. First turns of the season were sublime. It never gets old. Snow depth was just enough (8-10″), but I occasionally bottomed out onto slick fast grass. It is a shame Cannon blows snow on Avi, the natural skis so well. I went back up for first tracks down Paulie’s and Zoomer. Neither compared to turns down Avi, but both were enjoyable runs.

Paulie's