Mountain Layout—Skiing

Cannon underwent a major expansion and renovation in 1999, but to those who love New England skiing, the Cannon of old is still recognizable. Long-known by experts as one of the most challenging mountains in the East, Cannon now has much more beginner and intermediate terrain.

Here's a larger, more detailed trail map.

Expert and Advanced: True experts will want to try the extreme terrain on Tramline Trail, and we’re not misusing the word “extreme” here. The narrow trail is a series of cliff steps. One of the longest glades in the East is Kinsman Glade, on skier’s right of the tramline. The Front Five, as known to locals, are the intimidating-looking trails that appear to plunge into Echo Lake. These are accessed via Paulie’s Extension or Lower Cannon. Three of them, Avalanche, Paulie’s Folly and Zoomer, are marked black and rightfully so. The other two, Rocket and Gary’s, have less pitch and no bumps. For a backcountry experience, take the Taft Slalom straight across the ridge, then hike the remaining few yards to Mittersill, Cannon’s defunct neighbor. Skiers and riders can use Mittersill’s trails on a don’t-ask, don’t-tell basis, but it's unpatrolled and you're on your own there. From the summit, advanced skiers can experience New England skiing the way it used to be by winding down Upper Cannon, Skylight or Upper Ravine. To test your mettle on the Front Five, start on skier’s left (Gary’s) and work right until you feel you’ve hit your limit. [TOP]

Intermediate: Although touted as an expert’s mountain, intermediates will find plenty of terrain to suit their skills. From the summit, you can take Vista Way, Tramway or Upper Cannon, which swoops down through the forest. These feed into a collection of intermediate runs, including Middle Cannon and Middle Ravine. Or from the top of the Cannonball Express Quad, treat yourself to Upper Ravine, another swooping trail. Intermediates wishing to return to the tram without scaring themselves on the Front Five can follow the Tram Cutback from Gary’s, the easiest of the Front Five. [TOP]

Beginner and First-timer: The Tuckerbrook quad chair serves beginner trails—Bear Paw, Deer Run, Fleitman and Coyote Crossing—that are segregated from the upper mountain. From the Peabody Base Area, take Brookside to the Tuckerbrook area. The bottom half of Cannon has four long runs that will suit beginners: Lower Cannon, Parkway, Gremlin and Turnpike, but be forewarned that a slew of intermediate runs feed into them. The Eagle Triple Chair, from the Peabody Base Area, is the best way to access this terrain. More daring beginners can take the Peabody Express Quad. The Brookside learning area adjacent to the Peabody Base Area is ideal for first-timers. The area is segregated from the rest of the mountain (so experts won’t zoom through). It is serviced by its own triple chairlift as well as two surface lifts. First-timers can then progress to the short beginner trails off the Tuckerbrook quad chair. [TOP]