Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway — Attraction in Franconia

Dominating New Hampshire’s towering Franconia range, Cannon Mountain looms large. A great boulder of a beast, its visage is steep and intimidating and challenges the intermediate and advanced skier to ride its back.

Cannon shares the Franconia region with nearby Loon Mountain to the South. Hosting two peaks, the main mountain rises to a height of just over 4,000 ft with a vertical drop of 2,180 ft. The lesser mountain, Mittersill, peaks at 3,650 ft and services only expert terrain.

At Mittersill, the trails are ungroomed natural snow where you are advised not to ski alone. Trail and glade areas flow in and out of each other without clear definition. A good yardstick to determine whether or not to attempt the challenge of Mittersill is how you manage the Avalanche trail on the main mountain. If you can ride Avalanche with energy to spare, you can test your legs on Mittersill. Eighty-six acres of Mittersill will keep the quads burning.

My personal favorites on the main mountain are the serpentine blues and blacks at the top of the big hill. Well designed and well groomed, these trails are a pleasure to schuss as you glide through their smooth tree -lined roller coaster curves.

Cannon has its share of serviceable lifts, but as this was my first trip to the mountain, I was looking forward to riding their very unique tram--a trolley to the sky climbing over 5,000 ft. It was the first tram built in North America and a 1938 engineering miracle. The current tram (1980) ferries 80 skiers at a time up the hill in a few short minutes of air travel. Unfortunately, I failed to note that the tram runs only four days a week --Friday through Monday and on all holidays. Trams, like gondolas, offer great wind protection on blustery days, but the disappointing factor is when it’s really windy and you really need them, they don’t run. So be advised -- if you’re a fan of the tram, avoid Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at Cannon.

The novice trails at Cannon are confined to the lower foothills squeezed between the two peaks called the Tuckerbrook family area. There are thirteen trails for learning and relaxed skiing or for skiers with a touch of vertigo and those plagued with acrophobia. Saturday nights are family fun nights when the adults can enjoy the comforts of the Cannonball Pub and a bowl of Banchee Chili while the kids play in the mini-park under the lights and enjoy a movie in...

I've been up Cannon Mountain countless times in the winter months for skiing; this is for the summer.

I did it on a non-holiday Monday, so while it was leaf-peeping season, it wasn't crowded. We just walked up and got tickets for a time 15 minutes away. The tram ride up is impressive as it provides a "developing" view of Franconia Notch and the surrounding area; very impressive.

The top provides snacks and lunch in the building where the tram docks. You can walk around and see the view, or you can walk a few hundred yards up to the summit. Most of the path is level, but it's obviously a natural environment with rocks, roots, etc. The trail is perched seemingly on a cliff edge, although there's not really any "exposure" as there's brush protecting you from a tumble.

The geographic summit has an observation platform with a few dozen stairs which provides a stunning view of the surrounding area. There are cables anchoring the viewing platform and associated radio towers into the ground; they detract from the view somewhat as it's obvious you're not in a "natural" area. There isn't any signage regarding what peaks you're looking at which is a little surprising.

And then walk back down to the tram and ride back down.

Overall... the view is amazing, but if you're comfortable hiking, a little effort gets you a (in my opinion) a better view. Sugaloaf, Willard, Square Ledge, etc. are short hikes with jaw-dropping views -- for free. I felt the fall colors are somewhat muted from the top as you're easily 1000 vertical feet above any "color"; i.e., you're looking a long ways past evergreen trees to see the color. It's also fairly expensive for a quick ride (10 minutes) and a short walk.

The tram is a great way to get a unique perspective on the beauty of the White...

Fun Fact: The first passenger aerial tramway in North America began operation on this site in 1938

Of all the things to do in Franconia Notch State Park, taking a ride in the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway is one of the most unforgettable ways to see the park! a single cabin can carry up to 80 passengers, and the fee is $25 PP both ways.

Take a scenic eight-minute ride in one of two enclosed cable cars to the 4,200-foot summit of Cannon Mountain. Along the way, enjoy panoramic views of the distant valleys, mountains, Echo Lake, and black bears (no we did not find any, but the guide said so :P ) also, you’ll be able to view parts of New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, New York, and Canada!

Once at the summit you can hang out on the outdoor deck that overlooks the mountains or grab lunch & drinks at Cafe 4080 that’s located next to the air tram.

Fee: $25 PP but make an online reservation, time is allotted and if you are late, you would have to wait for another cabin and if that is full, then wait for another cabin. our time slot was 2:!5, we reached 2:30, they stopped us and at 3:15 - there were few spots, so then they allowed us....