Category: Cannon Mountain

2003-2004 Season, Cannon Mountain, February

Cannon Mountain, NH

Skyline

This Superbowl Sunday was a primo day at Cannon. Since the New England Patriots were in the Superbowl, crowds tended to be minimal compared to standard Superbowl Weekends. Typical conditions and enjoyable skiing for December. Too bad it is February. Sweet turns were still to be had amongst the natural snow trails at Cannon. However, conditions leave a lot to be desired considering the time of the season.

After catching the second chair to turn for the general public, the lift stalled for about five minutes. Patrol was visually inspecting the tower that crests the ridge near the Middle Cannon intersection with Bypass. The tower contains a weather vane which created suspicion of high winds effecting operations. No worries though as we were moving again in short order.

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2003-2004 Season, Cannon Mountain, December

Weekend at Cannon (Day Two: Powder Less Day)

Owl's Head Highway, Route 115
Owl's Head Highway, Route 115

Day Two at dawned with much pain due to epic powder turns on Saturday. The soreness started at my back and went all the way through my hamstrings. For a moment, I debated going home and calling it a weekend. But thoughts of Taft Slalom and Upper/Middle Hard danced in my head. It was on.

For the morning, I slowly nursed my legs back into condition by sticking mostly to the groomers. I ducked into the bumps on Gary’s and Rocket which were rather nice for this time of year. Props to Cannon for letting the bumps build up on the side of these trails! Lower Cannon/Toss Up had sweet packed powder that warranted several runs! Rarely do I afford that distinction to a run classified as a green circle. With the front face closed, and my body warming to the task… I ventured up the tram for a final shot at the best snow on the mountain. The snow you gotta duck a rope to get to. For the third time, Taft Slalom provided awesome turns with some small bumps developing. And despite gradually thinning cover, Upper and Middle Hard delivered on the goods yet again.

I packed it in around noon time, deciding my body had taken a beating and needed me to relent. My bases are utterly destroyed as I mostly skied the natural snow trails all weekend; which although had a foot of powder, had no base whatsoever. These two days cap a December for the record books. With a fourth epic day of turns this month, all of which rivals some of my best days in February, I will happy pay the piper to repair my skis for the delight of earning those powdery turns. The turns ski dreams are made of.

2003-2004 Season, Cannon Mountain, December, Powder Day

Weekend at Cannon (Day One: Powder Day)

Saddle

Christmas Eve flooded most New England Ski Areas with over an inch of rain. Flood warnings were set off throughout the region as snow melt and down pours combined into a skier’s worst nightmare. However, Cannon skiers were good this year as Santa delivered the abundant snowfall Christmas night. Rain changed over to snow and dumped a foot of fresh on the mostly bare slopes of Cannon! Friday skiers got a super powder day; those showing up Saturday had precious little time to pick through the remains of the spoils.

Saturday saw Cannon as busy as I have ever seen it. Busier than your average Super Bowl Sunday. All three lots were packed with cars and a shuttle bus transported skiers to and from the far away parking lots. Despite the crowds, most lifts were ski on most of the day. With a little knowledge of the mountain and its quirky patterns, one could completely avoid the crowds and still find patches of fresh snow.

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2003-2004 Season, Cannon Mountain, December, Powder Day

Three Foot Powdah Day, Cannon Style

Mount Lafayette

Where to begin? As I approached the Franconia Notch, all the sky was blue. The Franconia Ridge was as illustrious as I have ever seen it. The peaks of Mounts Flume, Liberty, Lincoln, and Lafayette were caked with brilliantly white snow against a back drop of the deepest blue.

Then enter the fog. As per usual, Grumpy Old Man Cannon had an ugly dark cloud sitting upon his shoulder, daring any to challenge it.

Driving north through the notch, I spied the Front Face trails of Cannon Mountain. Many powder turns had already been etched into the Front Five the day before from creative and eager skiers (Zoomer Triple was not turning, but still many turns were made! That is dedication!). However, much more of the powder had been left untouched than had already been tracked. I pulled of the Interstate at the Peabody Base Slopes exit eagerly anticipating the fine skiing to be had.

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2002-2003 Season, April, Cannon Mountain, Powder Day

Cannon Mountain, NH

Lafayette from Zoomer Liftline

The plan was originally made a week ago; before it snowed. The plan was to hike a lower elevation mountain with good views such as Mount Monadnock or the Welch-Dickey Loop in Waterville Valley. The southern facing trails on such mountains were completely snow free by the last day of March and I was itching to get a jump on hiking season. With most ski resorts reporting lots of bare ground, slushy snow, and low trail counts… I planned to hike instead. Little did I know that I would be hiking in ski boots up a well known saddle on the northern flank of Cannon to Mount Jackson instead.

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