Cannon Mt., NH 1/30/00

[snowboarder]

<I>(Note from the Administrator: This report was originally posted on 1/31/00. Due to our move to new servers, the date and time attributed to this post is incorrect.)</I> <BR> <BR>Headed up to Cannon on Superbowl Sunday because tickets were 2 for 1. It was my second time ever there, and this is what I have learned: if you snowboard DO NOT ever go to Cannon unless you want to waste your time and money slipping on ice. <BR> <BR>The mountain has some good trails - very steep. The problem is that the entire surface is ice. It's so bad that in some places you can't even hold an edge and just slide uncontrollably on your butt. There was vey little enjoyable riding. You might ride an ok surface for 5 seconds, but then you knew you'd inevitably have to deal with ice. Even the skiiers were complaining, and they have two edges to hold them up. A writer for SKI magazine was there, and he said he was definitely gonna write about the serious need for improvement. <BR> <BR>The one saving grace was the snowboard park. It was good enough to save my day and give me some enjoyment, and forget about the frustration (and burning muscles) from the ice. There was a short trail through the woods you took to get there (the main way was block off by a slalom course) which was challenging and fun. It ended at the top of the park - the only place on the mountain you're going to find a soft surface. The pipe was very long and irregular (i don't know what the heck they used to cut it), but still fun. The walls weren't very vert and sometimes you flew out of it, but we still made good use of it. At the end was a decent jump with a stable landing, and if you got some speed up you could get some really decent air. Once we found the park we just stayed in there and hiked up after every jump. <BR> <BR>There was also some powder on closed areas that looked ripe for poaching. It would be worth the one good ride if they clipped your pass. <BR> <BR>I don't mean to condemn this place for snowboarders based on one day, but I think I'm being accurate. I went there one day last year and had a similar experience, and most people you talk to will tell you the conditions are bad. I think it's because it's run by the state, which has to spend its money on education and health care versus ski area improvements.

 

[Admin]

<I>(Note from the Administrator: This report was originally posted on 1/31/00. Due to our move to new servers, the date and time attributed to this post is incorrect.)</I> <BR> <BR>Cannon certainly has a reputation for "firm New England snow." I've had my share of boilerplate days there as well. However, IMO, it's come a long way in the past few years. Problems: it's a high, exposed mountain, with nothing to block northwesterly winds from scouring the surface. Likewise, you're correct in your assessment of the effect of state budgetary constraints. However, many good days may be had there as well, and the traditional New England skiing combined with the area's unique place in history is tough to beat. If you get back there, see if you can find someone with local knowledge to lead you up the Taft Race Course hike and down into the now-abandoned Mittersill - before the State completes it's anticipated link. Also, while there be sure to take a few minutes to visit the New England Ski Museum adjacent to the tram base. <BR> <BR>Another problem I foresee for snowboarders is the long runout to return to the tram. Boarders would be better advised to buy a chair-only ticket (do they still sell those?) and avoid the tram altogether.