A new aerial tramway is in the planning stages for the New Hampshire mountain.
After 45 years of service, New Hampshire’s Cannon Mountain is retiring its iconic 80-passenger aerial tramway this fall.
Retiring the second-generation tram paves the way for a new third-generation tram system that Cannon officials said will be designed and built over the next few years.
Cannon was home to the nation’s first aerial tramway, launched in 1938. It’s the only mountain in North America to reach a third-generation tram.
Since 1980, the current tram has carried more than 9 million passengers to the 4,080-foot summit, covering a one-mile span in under seven minutes.
“She’s aged gracefully, but like all legends, she deserves a dignified retirement,” said Jace Wirth, General Manager of Cannon Mountain and Franconia Notch State Park. “It’s time to begin writing the next chapter.”
With $27.2 million secured through New Hampshire House Bill 25, along with additional capital resources anticipated, a structural analysis—pending Governor and Executive Council approval—will soon begin to confirm the renovation strategy for existing towers, terminals, and foundations. This analysis will also help refine design requirements and load considerations for the next-generation tram system.
The tram’s final day of operation will be October 26.
“This is a moment we’ve been preparing for,” said Wirth. “While we know the transition will bring change, it’s also an opportunity to honor the legacy of the tram while ensuring we move forward with purpose.”
