Another article about the state leasing cannon

[thebigo]

Source: http://www.unionleader.com/pda-article.aspx?articleId=93c6f5f9-872b-4d15-9b9f-59a6c28a02b7

Inn and motel owners in Franconia are lobbying the state to consider leasing the Cannon Mountain ski area to a private operator.

Small-business owners who say they'll benefit from higher revenues at the state-owned ski area have drafted a petition to show the community's support for privatization. In no more than four days, they say, they have collected more than 100 signatures.

"We feel Cannon can be better developed, and it can help the whole economy, the whole area," said Pauline Palmer, a Franconia motel owner who circulated the petition.

Palmer and her partner in the campaign, Gale River Motel owner Kevin Johnson, say they plan to present the petition to a House subcommittee this morning, when legislators debate a bill that would put Cannon Mountain out to lease.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Fred King, is considered a long shot. Even King said he considered it a "dead issue" after a recent hearing.

"I just felt it was an exercise in futility," said King, a Colebrook Republican.

Members of the House committee on resources, recreation and development are divided on the bill, according to the committee's chairman, Rep. Judith Spang. About half would reject the bill outright, she said. Most of the other members would shelve the bill for further study.

Cannon Mountain has been losing money since 2001. Last year, the site ran a deficit of more than $800,000, legislators say.

The destination's woes are a drag on the local economy, according to several employers in the area's hospitality industry. Jim Freitas, who owns Lovetts Inn, said occupancy has been very low in recent winters. The inn sits just two miles from Cannon Mountain.

The problem, he said, is tourists don't want to visit a ski area that can't boast state-of-the-art amenities.

"Cannon is stuck in the 1960s," he said. "I'd make a lot more money if Cannon was run properly, and if it was advertised properly."

The motel owners also say privatization would put more tax dollars in the town's coffers.

Rep. Martha McLeod, a Franconia Democrat who opposes King's bill, said privatization would be a "violation of the public trust" and could have unintended consequences. Most of her constituents would prefer to keep the site in public hands, she said.

"I haven't heard form one single person that supports this bill that lives in the town of Franconia," she said.

Gov. John Lynch has opposed the proposal to lease Cannon Mountain. He has asked parks officials to compare the site to other ski areas and propose improvements.

House committee members toured Cannon Mountain last week.

Most were impressed with the employees' dedication and knowledge, Spang said, "but it also became obvious that there were problems that were causing the bleeding of revenue."

Much of the lost revenue has nothing to do with skiing, Spang said. More than half of the site's losses last year were recorded over the summer, she said.

Rep. Chris Christensen, who chairs the subcommittee that is studying the bill, said no action will be taken when the subcommittee meets today at 9 a.m.

 

[ctenidae]

I oppose the privatization, mostly on poorly defined philosophical terms.

 

[riverc0il]

There was a more even handed article in the Cal Rec this week discussing legislators recent visit to Cannon with many seeming very impressed with the mountain's operations and staff. The article seemed to indicate the legislators are split down the middle on leasing Cannon but it seems may pro-lease may be posturing in that direction to get Cannon to take increasing revenue more seriously. Also according to the article I read, it specified that Cannon was not loosing money which is not in line with this article.

 

[Bumpsis]

I hope that the state of NH will not lease Cannon out. The mountain is just fine the way it is.
OK, they could use better snow making, but I really doubt that leasing out the operation would be in interest of the skiing/riding public.
I'm absolutely certain that the lift ticket rates would skyrocket. They would build a new lodge, tap into Echo lake for snow making water and charge through the nose.

Sunapee is a good example of this. $ 62 to ski low intermediate terrain?

Cannon, even with its shortcomings is a great mountain and I dare say, probably the best in many ways on the I 93 corridor. If some say that it's stuck in the '60s, I actually really like it. I don't go skiing to sit in a lodge or hang out at the bar (durring ski time).
Where else can you get 2000 feet vertical for daily price of $ 54. The twofer deal is just awesome and the whole laid back experience is just great.

 

[riverc0il]

any one that thinks cannon is stuck in the 60s probably didn't ski cannon in the 60s. i sure didn't ski cannon in the 60s but can recognize an off the wall comment when i see one. the cal rec article also mentions one reason why cannon might be loosing revenue some years is the state officials tie the hands of cannon management with the snow making issue. apparently not allowing cannon to blow past the budget to meet snow making needs when mother nature doesn't cooperate. kinda humerus in that sense that the state is setting up the state run management for failure. conspiracy? who knows, certainly an interesting contradiction though.

 

[snoseek]

cannon is a gem, and the state should maybe give the management what they need to run it properly. I learned to ski there back in probably early 80's, and it's funny how the mountain has its ups and downs with operation budgets over the years. Does anyone remember when they opened just the top (u.cannon, u.ravine) for skiing very early, I want to say around halloween. That was maybe 91-92. I just wish things were more consistent, and the state would really treasure it. IMHO leasing is not the answer, I'm all set with skiing at the new sunapee.