Date(s) Skied: February 11, 2006
Resort or Ski Area: Cannon
Conditions: PP/MG/FG
Trip Report: We had been looking forward to this for months. There was a lot of talk, hoping, and even wondering if it was going to happen. Once again, Bob R brought us the sunshine and lots and lots of AZer's....the most we've had at a single outing ever :beer:
This is just my report on what I did today...I hope that more folks will tell their tales.
So here's mine. I had no problem talking seven friends into coming. One was not able to come at the last minute, but I was thrilled to have MJ, MR, T, J, and Ms. Trailboss up this AM and heading north on 91 to Cannon. The sunrise was beautiful...and the snowreport was encouraging:
And that was our trek up...91 over the heights with Moosilauke on the horizon. Mount Washington and the Presidentials in front of us and then the Franconia Range spread out below us as we drove over Sugar Hill--covered in snow.
We pulled in at 8:45 and it took a solid 45 mins for me to get my party settled, ticketed, clothed (one guy needed ski pants...Cannon Ski Shop did a great job helping out). Charlie and his friend, "E" were inside getting ready as well. We caught up with them before heading out. It was almost 9:30 by the time we stepped outside and literally ran into the entire AZ Crew--off the top of my head Bob R, Chilemass, Roark, Marc, Andy Zee and Significant Other, Terry, Jim G and son It was downright impressive. So literally, all 15 of us piled on the Peabody Express and headed up.
We divided up again--I showed my party the mountain because it was their first time to Cannon. So we headed down Middle Cannon to Rocket and to the Zoomer Triple. This was the side that Ms. TB was most interested in trying...she had stared at for years and had wanted to ski the "front five." No regrets. Gary's, Zoomer, Rocket, and Avalanche were all in great shape considering. Zoomer was good for a couple runs. We all zoomed around. Three of my party, the "Maryland Men's Snowboard Club" I guess you could say :wink: headed to the summit via the Tram. We took a few more spins before heading over.
The tram was packed and the girls loved the ride. First run off the top was Upper Cannon--mint. :beer: We headed down Upper Ravine--mint as well. Next run we caught up with the rest of our party and we descended a very icy and treacherous Skylight (which I had bragged about before... :roll: ). We took a spin down Tramway before meeting up with the AZ crew and taking a run down Tramway to Cannon Bypass all the way to the base for lunch.
Marc joined us downstairs while the more mature crowd sat at the bar and had a good lunch.
Afternoon with the AZ Crew
Since I had gotten my crew oriented to the mountain, I was able to hit the slopes with the AZ crew. We had a great time mingling, joking around, and yeah, skiing.
First run was down Cannon Bypass back to Rocket and the Zoomer Area. Charlie and "E" skied Zoomer and reported back that it was icy, but doable. We hit Rocket and Gary's a couple more times (finding some ice here and there, but good coverage) before I opened my mouth again saying how great Banshee looked.
"Let's do it," Charlie said with a grin leading us down to the short, narrow run. We stood on the upper headwall looking down to a small race course, lots of kids, and not much room :roll: The side of the trail was FG with some thin snow. Chilemass kicked in the nitro to get out of there and almost ended up on the Southbound lane of Interstate 93. He had us scared. But, in true form, he got up with a smile and an, "I'm OK!" before hiking back up from his crashsite.
We packed into the tram and headed up to the summit with the intent of doing one more run to the bottom. That turned into three good runs.
First run was down Upper Ravine--probably run of the day--and we hooted the entire way down. A loose snowboarder almost took out me and then Marc...(the snowboarder almost got a taste of my ski pole) :roll: :x After those evasive moves, it was smooth sailing. We boarded the Cannonball Express and then hit Tramway, which also was holding up well (OK, tie for run of the day :wink: ) before going for just ONE more run down an always entertaining Upper Cannon. We all flew over the rolls and turns--laughing and encouraging each other.
Standing at the top of Middle Ravine, we saw taht the race was still in progress, so we hit Middle Hardscrabble. White knuckles for much of the way for me--some ice and skidding here and there. There was some soft snow here and there. We spent ten minutes or so watching the racers.
At the bottom, some headed in while the rest of us went down to the Tuckerbrook area to take some cool-down runs and to show the Mittersill Trails/area to the crew. Quick runs down Turkey Trot and Bear Paw. But it was not over.
Marc, Terry, and I took another run down Middle Cannon. Terry and I pulled the plug, but Marc went to close (Marc? Marc, you OK? We missed you at Apres).
Apres was a good scene. All of my crew, AZer's, and some good tunes and prizes. Good brews. :beer:
Riverc0il came out of the 'Kingdom to see us. He was all smiles and ready to get back on the skis We had a great time talking before heading home.
So now my Burke hat has a Cannon Tram pin on it. Loving the place! :beer:
Special Thanks go to Zowi420 for the discount tix and making LOTS folks happy. Zowi, you've got a bus load of new Cannon fans needless to say after today! :beer:
Bob R gets props for taking the initiative and getting this thing going. He did a great job getting everyone on the slopes and directing things. I owe you a :beer:
And to Chilemass for making the trek at the last minute. Always great to ski with you, call me for a Burke tour sometime :wink:
The rest of the crew was great. Just like I had known them for years. Marc is a great guy...stand-up guy. Terry is a solid skier and talked about skiing Shawnee Peak and Sunday River. Solid skier and nice guy. Charlie...well, Charlie is always lots of fun and a great skier. His friend, "E," was fun to ski with as well. Hope to see her in here! Roark was digging the place and his new skis. Another solid NE skier. Andy and Mrs. Zee were friendly and had a great time. Hope to see the videos soon! Jim G and son were in action....he spent the PM with his youngest (3 1/2 years old) on the lower mountain. Great folks.
And my crew was fun as well. Ms. TB LOVED Cannon and the front five. "M" liked it as well and was blown away by the views. My friends from Maryland were just in awe all day...great views, great riding.
Some Choice Quotes From the Day
"Whoa!" "M" from Pennsylvania coming around the corner on Sugar Hill and seeing Cannon.
"That's one big mountain," the Maryland crew.
"I LOVE this place," M on first run.
"THIS is what I like...wide, steep, and groomed." Ms. TB.
"Lots of vert, lots of fun!" The MD Crew
"This is Skylight, my favorite trail...." TB's famous last words :roll:
"Wanna take the most interesting trail you will ever ski?" Me motioning to Upper Cannon.
"Trailboss...Bob here...got a seat on the deck in the sun, SUN! I don't see any of you...get up here." Voicemail left on TB's phone at lunchtime.
"Banshee looked good...at least it did this morning." Trailboss' other famous last words
"What a day!" All of us as we pulled out of Cannon at 5pm looking at the Alpenglow on Lafayette
Resort or Ski Area: Cannon
Conditions: PP/MG/FG
Trip Report: We had been looking forward to this for months. There was a lot of talk, hoping, and even wondering if it was going to happen. Once again, Bob R brought us the sunshine and lots and lots of AZer's....the most we've had at a single outing ever :beer:
This is just my report on what I did today...I hope that more folks will tell their tales.
So here's mine. I had no problem talking seven friends into coming. One was not able to come at the last minute, but I was thrilled to have MJ, MR, T, J, and Ms. Trailboss up this AM and heading north on 91 to Cannon. The sunrise was beautiful...and the snowreport was encouraging:
Cannon Snowreporter said:
And that was our trek up...91 over the heights with Moosilauke on the horizon. Mount Washington and the Presidentials in front of us and then the Franconia Range spread out below us as we drove over Sugar Hill--covered in snow.
We pulled in at 8:45 and it took a solid 45 mins for me to get my party settled, ticketed, clothed (one guy needed ski pants...Cannon Ski Shop did a great job helping out). Charlie and his friend, "E" were inside getting ready as well. We caught up with them before heading out. It was almost 9:30 by the time we stepped outside and literally ran into the entire AZ Crew--off the top of my head Bob R, Chilemass, Roark, Marc, Andy Zee and Significant Other, Terry, Jim G and son
It was downright impressive. So literally, all 15 of us piled on the Peabody Express and headed up. We divided up again--I showed my party the mountain because it was their first time to Cannon. So we headed down Middle Cannon to Rocket and to the Zoomer Triple. This was the side that Ms. TB was most interested in trying...she had stared at for years and had wanted to ski the "front five." No regrets. Gary's, Zoomer, Rocket, and Avalanche were all in great shape considering. Zoomer was good for a couple runs. We all zoomed around. Three of my party, the "Maryland Men's Snowboard Club" I guess you could say :wink: headed to the summit via the Tram. We took a few more spins before heading over.
The tram was packed and the girls loved the ride. First run off the top was Upper Cannon--mint.
:beer: We headed down Upper Ravine--mint as well. Next run we caught up with the rest of our party and we descended a very icy and treacherous Skylight (which I had bragged about before... :roll: ). We took a spin down Tramway before meeting up with the AZ crew and taking a run down Tramway to Cannon Bypass all the way to the base for lunch. Marc joined us downstairs while the more mature crowd sat at the bar and had a good lunch.
Afternoon with the AZ Crew
Since I had gotten my crew oriented to the mountain, I was able to hit the slopes with the AZ crew. We had a great time mingling, joking around, and yeah, skiing.
First run was down Cannon Bypass back to Rocket and the Zoomer Area. Charlie and "E" skied Zoomer and reported back that it was icy, but doable. We hit Rocket and Gary's a couple more times (finding some ice here and there, but good coverage) before I opened my mouth again saying how great Banshee looked.
"Let's do it," Charlie said with a grin leading us down to the short, narrow run. We stood on the upper headwall looking down to a small race course, lots of kids, and not much room :roll: The side of the trail was FG with some thin snow. Chilemass kicked in the nitro to get out of there and almost ended up on the Southbound lane of Interstate 93. He had us scared. But, in true form, he got up with a smile and an, "I'm OK!" before hiking back up from his crashsite.
We packed into the tram and headed up to the summit with the intent of doing one more run to the bottom. That turned into three good runs.
First run was down Upper Ravine--probably run of the day--and we hooted the entire way down. A loose snowboarder almost took out me and then Marc...(the snowboarder almost got a taste of my ski pole) :roll: :x After those evasive moves, it was smooth sailing. We boarded the Cannonball Express and then hit Tramway, which also was holding up well (OK, tie for run of the day :wink: ) before going for just ONE more run down an always entertaining Upper Cannon. We all flew over the rolls and turns--laughing and encouraging each other.
Standing at the top of Middle Ravine, we saw taht the race was still in progress, so we hit Middle Hardscrabble. White knuckles for much of the way for me--some ice and skidding here and there. There was some soft snow here and there. We spent ten minutes or so watching the racers.
At the bottom, some headed in while the rest of us went down to the Tuckerbrook area to take some cool-down runs and to show the Mittersill Trails/area to the crew. Quick runs down Turkey Trot and Bear Paw. But it was not over.
Marc, Terry, and I took another run down Middle Cannon. Terry and I pulled the plug, but Marc went to close (Marc? Marc, you OK? We missed you at Apres).
Apres was a good scene. All of my crew, AZer's, and some good tunes and prizes. Good brews. :beer:
Riverc0il came out of the 'Kingdom to see us. He was all smiles and ready to get back on the skis
We had a great time talking before heading home. So now my Burke hat has a Cannon Tram pin on it. Loving the place! :beer:
Special Thanks go to Zowi420 for the discount tix and making LOTS folks happy. Zowi, you've got a bus load of new Cannon fans needless to say after today! :beer:
Bob R gets props for taking the initiative and getting this thing going. He did a great job getting everyone on the slopes and directing things. I owe you a :beer:
And to Chilemass for making the trek at the last minute. Always great to ski with you, call me for a Burke tour sometime :wink:
The rest of the crew was great. Just like I had known them for years. Marc is a great guy...stand-up guy. Terry is a solid skier and talked about skiing Shawnee Peak and Sunday River. Solid skier and nice guy. Charlie...well, Charlie is always lots of fun and a great skier.
His friend, "E," was fun to ski with as well. Hope to see her in here! Roark was digging the place and his new skis. Another solid NE skier. Andy and Mrs. Zee were friendly and had a great time. Hope to see the videos soon! Jim G and son were in action....he spent the PM with his youngest (3 1/2 years old) on the lower mountain. Great folks. And my crew was fun as well. Ms. TB LOVED Cannon and the front five. "M" liked it as well and was blown away by the views. My friends from Maryland were just in awe all day...great views, great riding.
Some Choice Quotes From the Day
"Whoa!" "M" from Pennsylvania coming around the corner on Sugar Hill and seeing Cannon.
"That's one big mountain," the Maryland crew.
"I LOVE this place," M on first run.
"THIS is what I like...wide, steep, and groomed." Ms. TB.
"Lots of vert, lots of fun!" The MD Crew
"This is Skylight, my favorite trail...." TB's famous last words :roll:
"Wanna take the most interesting trail you will ever ski?" Me motioning to Upper Cannon.
"Trailboss...Bob here...got a seat on the deck in the sun, SUN! I don't see any of you...get up here." Voicemail left on TB's phone at lunchtime.
"Banshee looked good...at least it did this morning." Trailboss' other famous last words
"What a day!" All of us as we pulled out of Cannon at 5pm looking at the Alpenglow on Lafayette
