Winter Operations Updates
November 19, 2020 Update: More Answers to More of Your Questions - Updated
You have questions and we have some more answers, though maybe not all of them yet.
We've been working hard on plans for this winter as we always do. As you know, this one will be different. That's OK. We're good at different. We've been a unique, independent, diverse, quirky, sometimes raw, no frills, but amazing skiing experience since 1938. We got this. But only with your help.
Our big "ask" is that you come with a little more advance planning and patience and the willingness to follow some new rules. This will help us work through this together for a great season. Our shared goal will be to get you skiing and keep the season rolling through closing day in the safest possible way. Deal? Read on.
As much in the world may change, much of the below is also subject to change.
SAFETY & PUBLIC HEALTH
- “Be Well = Ski Well” Initiative: if you’re not feeling well, then we ask that you please stay home.
- Our team members will follow all CDC guidelines relative to health and cleaning standards.
- Cleaning will be a priority at all times throughout common areas.
- Social Distancing measures will be in place for indoor spaces and certain outdoor areas.
- Face coverings over mouth and nose are required indoors at all times unless seated and socially distanced. They are also required in lift lines, when riding lifts and any time when social distancing (6ft) is not possible.
RESERVATIONS
We do not currently plan to require reservations for Season Passholders. Lift tickets will be limited and sold online in advance. We expect online sales to go live the week that the mountain opens.
SEASON PASS SALES
Season Passes are no longer on sale except for the New Hampshire College
Pass and the New Hampshire Resident Senior Midweek Pass, both of which
will remain on sale for now, but that is subject to change at any time. The Pass Assurance Program has been extended through December 4th. Passes purchased on or after 12/5/20 are subject to our standard No-Refund policy with added assurance in the case of a shutdown due to public health crisis.
DISCOUNT DAYS
We have eliminated most discounted ticket products to start the season including NH Resident Wednesdays, 2-fer Tuesdays & Thursdays, New Year's Day & Super Bowl Sunday specials.
LODGE ACCESS (& personal belongings)
ONLY passholders and ticket holders will have access to the lodges and you will need to show your pass just like you do at the chairlift. Building capacity will be monitored and very limited. No bags or belongings including shoes, will be allowed to stay in the buildings or around the outside of the buildings, so plan to gear up at your car. Time in lodges will be limited to :30 minutes.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Food & Beverage locations will still be available. Cafeterias will operate grab & go style (no cook to order or served food). The Cannonball Pub will be open for restaurant style service with limited capacity. While seated and socially distanced, you may remove your face covering and eat your own food in the lodges. Brown Bag style lunches only, no coolers allowed. Please note that all belongings and food must leave with you when you exit the building and may NOT be stored outside and around the building (hint hint.. wear a small backpack)
LOCKER HOLDERS
Right now, we intend to allow for seasonal locker holders to access lockers. This can ONLY happen with strict adherence to guidelines. Capacity limits and social distancing will be imposed in locker rooms. Any locker holder that allows guests outside of the locker holder's immediate family to use their locker or access locker rooms will lose locker privileges.
SEASON PASS OFFICE
The Season Pass Office is open daily 9-4 (closed Thanksgiving) Face coverings will be required, social distancing measures in place and capacity will be very limited inside the building. There will be no Lost & Found this year.
JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
A modified Junior Development Program for 2020-2021 will be offered FIRST to past participants who are still age eligible. Cannon Snowsports staff will reach out directly via email with details of the program within the coming weeks. We do expect the program to sell out through this process, but any open spots remaining will be offered to new guests after that. Call (603) 823-7722 x787 or x713 for more info.
AERIAL TRAMWAY
The Aerial Tramway is not expected to operate at least for the first half of the season and could extend beyond that.
EVENTS
The will be no special events on our calendar to start the season and we will reevaluate the possibility of adding some events as the season progresses.
3-PACKS, 10-PACKS & BONUS CARDS FROM 2019-2020
We extended use of these products through December 31, 2020.
COMP TICKETS FROM 2019-2020
If you have a free voucher from last season i.e. donation, trade, prize, etc., those expired at the end of last season and will not be accepted.
SKINNING
Uphill skinning will be permitted ONLY during open hours, ONLY when an approved route is open and ONLY if you have a day ticket or season pass. We will not be selling a discounted "Skinning Only" ticket.
SNOWSPORTS SCHOOL
School and Nursery reservations will be required online and in advance. All programs will be modified and coach-to-student ratios will be reduced. The Nursery Season Pass will not be available and nursery capacity will be reduced.
This information is fluid and this page is your best resource to keep up to date on what is happening this winter at Cannon. Additional questions can go to info@cannonmt.com.
See you soon!
October 26, 2020 Update: MOST SEASON PASS SALES END NOVEMBER 1
We will be halting sales of most season passes at 11:59pm on Sunday, November 1st.
New Hampshire Senior Midweek passes and New Hampshire College Passes will continue to be available for the time being.
If you have not purchased yet and are considering it, you should first read our WINTER OPERATIONS UPDATES page. While skiing and riding Cannon should be the same, the experience in the base area and lodges will be different. We just want to make sure you know what is planned before you buy your pass. The Pass Assurance Program is only valid on passes purchased on or before 11/26/20. Passes purchased on or after 11/27/20 are subject to our standard No-Refund policy.
Click HERE to get your pass.
Why are we halting sales on most season passes?
Due to COVID-19, we've had to make many changes to how we will operate this season. One of the biggest changes will be to how base lodges operate. In order to follow the Ski Area Reopening Guidelines we have to limit capacities in all buildings. Therefore, we will need to cap the number of skiers we have on any given day to ensure we can comply with the guidelines and social distancing measures. We'd rather not require passholders to make reservations at this time, so we plan to limit ticket sales. Pass sales will now need to be capped so that we can effectively manage the total number of skiers that we may see on any given day.
New Hampshire Residents - if you usually wait until the December 14th deadline, we suggest that you buy your pass soon as they will not be available for purchase after November 1.
September 15, 2020 Update: Anyone else out there dreaming of winter?
It's on our minds for sure. Will things be different this winter? Yes, some things. What won't really change however, are many of the ways you make Cannon Mountain yours. Your line through the trees, your favorite view, the snow, your Cannon family and all of the fun ways down the mountain. The things that you love about Cannon. The things that make us all Cannon. The mountain will be here in in its iconic setting in Franconia Notch State Park. It’ll snow naturally, and we’ll make snow and groom. We’ll get you up the mountain and you'll choose your favorite ways down. Whatever the route, we know you'll find the fun and we'll be here to get you the best possible experience like we always do.
Between now and opening day, we'll be working on details for any operational and necessary changes, given the current challenges. We've been hard at work with SKI New Hampshire and our fellow members, along with the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) on crafting guidance for ski areas, and we’ll be following the guidance approved by the New Hampshire Governor's Task Force on Reopening.
Measures we’ve already implemented in NH State Parks that will carry through to Cannon in winter:
- Use of face coverings in specified areas
- Limited capacities in buildings
- Social distancing measures inside and out
- Enhanced cleaning protocols ski-area-wide
Subject to approved guidance, these measures are likely to be implemented:
- Selling day tickets online and in advance only
- Selling rentals and lessons online and in advance only
- Prohibiting bags and gear in buildings
- Limiting day ticket sales during certain times
- Reducing the number and types of discounted products
Many people are asking if we will require reservations for passholders and limit visits. We do not currently have plans to do that and would prefer not to. We may in the future, choose to limit the number of additional passes we sell, but we hope to be able to let passholders visit without restrictions. Much of this is very fluid right now and ANY of it is subject to change, but our plan will solidify in the coming weeks as we keep working towards winter. We’ll post additional info as we have it to keep you in the loop and keep Cannon on your mind. Oh, and our planned opening day is just over 10 weeks away. November 27, 2020.