Cannon Mountain Tram ($30M?)

[ChrisC]

I think Cannon Mountain is just way too much spending on a tram. I think Jackson Hole did as well!

Me personally: trams generally suck and should be avoided! Low capacity, do not flow a line. Besides a photo op or terrain that requires it, trams should always be avoided! At all costs!

Don't all the Republicans move over the border into New Hampshire and commute to high-paying jobs in the Boston area? If they can? There goes $30 million for one of the worst-designed lifts in ski-dom. Put it up to the voters?!

Totally disagree with this:

Three options are to overhaul the current 70 passenger tram, build a new tram or switch to a gondola. It became clear very quickly at the meeting that everyone wants a new tram, which would cost upwards of $25 million. A detachable gondola was presented as costing more to build, 25 to 30 percent more to maintain while increasing capacity two to five times on the summit. The wind issue was also widely pointed to, particularly acute on a day which saw almost every New England ski area blow down. At one point, a state senator in attendance asked the public to raise hands for a tram or gondola and every single person wanted the tram. “How much cachet does a gondola have?” said one attendee. “Nobody cares about a gondola,” said another.

Cannon Mountain Guns for a New Tram

New Hampshire State Parks leaders gathered interested public tonight to present alternatives for future lift service on Cannon Mountain’s east side. At issue is the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tra…

liftblog.com

 

[berkshireskier]

I think Cannon Mountain is just way too much spending on a tram. I think Jackson Hole did as well!

Me personally: trams generally suck and should be avoided! Low capacity, do not flow a line. Besides a photo op or terrain that requires it, trams should always be avoided! At all costs!

Don't all the Republicans move over the border into New Hampshire and commute to high-paying jobs in the Boston area? If they can? There goes $30 million for one of the worst-designed lifts in ski-dom. Put it up to the voters?!

Totally disagree with this:

Three options are to overhaul the current 70 passenger tram, build a new tram or switch to a gondola. It became clear very quickly at the meeting that everyone wants a new tram, which would cost upwards of $25 million. A detachable gondola was presented as costing more to build, 25 to 30 percent more to maintain while increasing capacity two to five times on the summit. The wind issue was also widely pointed to, particularly acute on a day which saw almost every New England ski area blow down. At one point, a state senator in attendance asked the public to raise hands for a tram or gondola and every single person wanted the tram. “How much cachet does a gondola have?” said one attendee. “Nobody cares about a gondola,” said another.

Cannon Mountain Guns for a New Tram

New Hampshire State Parks leaders gathered interested public tonight to present alternatives for future lift service on Cannon Mountain’s east side. At issue is the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tra…

liftblog.com

Yea, trams are not very efficient in terms of uphill skier capacity, but I think a tram that goes up 4,000 vertical feet (like JH) makes somewhat more sense than one that goes up only 2,000 vertical feet (like Cannon). Other than the novelty and history of the Cannon tram (that I've ridden a fair number of times), it doesn't really make economic sense at $30 million. Maybe I am out of it, but it seems crazy to me how much all the new lifts are costing. I just don't see how ski areas will be able to update their lift infrastructure without either a large increase in ticket prices/season pass prices or a large increase in skier visits.

 

[EMSC]

Maybe I am out of it, but it seems crazy to me how much all the new lifts are costing. I just don't see how ski areas will be able to update their lift infrastructure without either a large increase in ticket prices/season pass prices or a large increase in skier visits.

It is crazy. Fixed grip lifts are going in at only a 20-30% discount to detachables lately. Used to be half price or less. Heck tbars, even fairly short ones are going for near a million plus... it's very nuts imo.

 

[ChrisC]

It is crazy. Fixed grip lifts are going in at only a 20-30% discount to detachables lately. Used to be half price or less. Heck tbars, even fairly short ones are going for near a million plus... it's very nuts imo.

Surface lifts for $1M? I haven't done a lot of research, so I'm not sure. I think Snowmass is replacing its Cirque surface lift - basically, the number of snowboarders falling off requires an increase in capacity.

I found this interesting: I recall reading it years ago, but the prices have remained unchanged. The Cannon Mt tram line is not simple. That said, a gondola is just fine/preferred. Almost all the Euro resorts are doing S3 gondolas to increase capacity/reliability/add seats. (vd. tram)

I think Jackson is short-sighted for not building an S3 lift. However, skiers seem to be a group stuck in the past and more prone to nostalgia than others. A tram will always be a tram. Why?

Try Jackson on a weekend when all the special groups (private lessons, camps, etc) crowd early cable cars.



Unfortunately, yes - and Cannon is going to go 1-2 years without it? It was always a weird lift.

Will North America Build a New Tram Ever Again?

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort stunned the ski world June 24, 2005 announcing the iconic aerial tramway up Rendezvous Mountain would carry its final riders in 2006. The Kemmerer Family, owners of the…

liftblog.com

 

[jimk]

I agree that a tram is not the most efficient uphill lift for skiers. But isn't the tram at Cannon very important for servicing summer tourists? I think many of those non-skiers want to take their sightseeing ride on tram, not in a cramped gondola with scratched-up, hazy windows.

As some of you may know, my "home" mountain for the last ten years has been Snowbird. I have mixed feelings about the tram there. Obviously, it is fairly low capacity for moving people up the hill. In fact, for the winters of 2016,17,18 I had a chairs-only pass at Snowbird. Since the winter of 2018-19 I've had a senior pass with unlimited access to the tram. Yet, for most of the season I don't use it much because it's crowded. I ride chairs instead for a faster way to get uphill and log ski mileage. In fact, it serves as a useful "tourist magnet" to lessen crowds at the chairlifts. However, I enjoy riding the tram, especially first tram on sunny, quiet ski days in the spring. It's a good way to scope out the mountain, avoid cold morning chair rides, and make a comfortable beeline to Mineral Basin where temps are milder and any frozen surfaces are likely to soften first.

They've done some things in recent years to extend the life of Snowbird's 50+ year old tram; new haul rope, new cabins, etc. I don't know if they have a plan to eventually replace it, but my guess is they will keep some kind of tram. It's a signature lift for the mountain, and it has some of the same value as the Cannon tram - it's a magnet for summer tourists paying to ride it for sightseeing.

My son instructs part-time at Snowbird and therefore frequently rides the tram all winter with students without waiting in line. He had a day in 2025 where he exclusively did tram laps from approx 9 am to 4pm, with only a short break for lunch. The group he was leading that day split in two hard-charging packs. He lapped The Cirque with half of them in the AM, and the other half in the PM. He was one tired puppy at the end of that day. In the past he has done the speedy thing where he'll get off the tram and ski 3000' vertical to the bottom of the hill to catch the same returning tram car that just dropped him at the summit.

If you're a strong skier, stronger than me, there are few thrills in US skiing that can beat using the tram to lap The Cirque at Snowbird all day in deep fresh snow.

Sun roof open on Snowbird tram early on an April day in 2025. In summer they can rig the trams with an open viewing platform where occupants can go up on the roof. I've never done it.

5 April 2025, skier, Silverfox slope and the Tram

Another first tram ride photo, from about 8am on 7 May 2025, looking over the shoulder of the mountain towards Mineral Basin.

8 May 2025, taken from inside the Blue tram car as Red passed by.

One of the old tram cars repurposed as a snack bar:

You can get a good look at The Cirque during a clear tram ride.

My son and I on 8 May 2022, last year for the old style tram cars. They were replaced later in 2022, not without some drama

 

[jamesdeluxe]

@jimk, when did they update the tram car at Snowbird? I rode one of the old-school cars at Walmendinghorn in 2022 -- built in 1966 and still in service!

 

[jimk]

@jimk, when did they update the tram car at Snowbird? I rode one of the old-school cars at Walmendinghorn in 2022 -- built in 1966 and still in service!

View attachment 47127

2022.

 

[EMSC]

But Cannon has always had a tram ("that's the way it's always been").

I could see a lot of people getting freaked out on a detach chair going up and down. Seems like a 'low' capacity 8 or 10 pack gondola would be the intelligent choice. Probably still would be at least $15-20M though. Also seems like a total refurb or demolish and start over is probably needed on the top station too.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

Nice pix, especially the one at the top from the early 1940s.

I've mentioned before that Cannon holds a special place in my heart as it was where my wife and I went on our inaugural destination ski visit during the season of 2000-01. Here we are framed by Mount Lafayette's above-treeline peak.