MadPadraic
Active member
A southern new england saying regarding cannon....f--- err cluck it, tuck it
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Local Group Lobbies New Hampshire Legislature to Privatize Cannon
- Thread starter thetrailboss
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ski_resort_observer
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This situation is played out over and over often all over the country and can be washed down to very simple terms in that those who will benefit by Cannon being privatized are for it, those who do not are against it. The state of NH is under some budget pressure right now which doesn't help those who are against this. The tasty treat of having Mit sitting there next door adds a special sweetness to those who are for it.
I think any comparison between Sunapee and Cannon just does not matchup. My former college roommate and best man at my wedding has been a home builder in the area for 25 years. He builds large homes mostly around the lake. Over the years I have worked for him as a carpenter from time to time. He feels the changes at Mt Sunapee has had very little effect on the local economy. The economy revolves around the lake and has been a popular place with a steady pace of developement for many many years. It has however greatly resticted access by locals to the state park and people are very unhappy about that. The Cannon area is much much more than just a state park.
I think any comparison between Sunapee and Cannon just does not matchup. My former college roommate and best man at my wedding has been a home builder in the area for 25 years. He builds large homes mostly around the lake. Over the years I have worked for him as a carpenter from time to time. He feels the changes at Mt Sunapee has had very little effect on the local economy. The economy revolves around the lake and has been a popular place with a steady pace of developement for many many years. It has however greatly resticted access by locals to the state park and people are very unhappy about that. The Cannon area is much much more than just a state park.
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jack97
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the lake is valid point about money infusion into the area year round. however, privatization proponents will always use visit count and total revenues for comparison sake to see if Cannon can and is use to it's maximum potential.
imo, only way to stop privatization is to vote for legislators/goveners who share the same views. i shudder to think what this would be like if craig benson was still around,
ski_resort_observer
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If you wanted to take a more complicated look it gets pretty interesting and shows some points which can be compared between Sunapee and Cannon.
As I mentioned looking at the ski hills specifically their are some major diferences mainly as a result that there will not be a major lodging developement at Sunapee so the effect on the local economy has been small. If Cannon is privatized there most certainly would, probably at the Mit vs the base of Cannon for some new lodging. Sunapee is a day trip to many while Cannon is not.
Sunapee, the Whites, Jackson Hole, and the Lake George area, where my family owned and operated a large resort for over 20 years, still has their economies revolve primarily around the summer seasons which I am including the fall foliage time for New England.
These places are always trying to figure out how too increase the winter season and especially the "shoulder seasons". While killing the mountain for the longtime dedicated locals, looking at the bigger picture, in all these areas the business community are jonesing for more winter business.
After many years of little developement at JH, the explosion of developement at TV a few years ago has certainly helped as sales tax data has bumped up abit in the winter season.
From a economy standpoint a developement at Cannon would help the local economy might even bump things up in St J in Vermont which is a much easier drive in the winter than North Conway. Sorry River...:lol:
TB gave a great overall to the Cannon situation in his first post, it's going to be interesting to see how things progress, if it progresses at all.
As I mentioned looking at the ski hills specifically their are some major diferences mainly as a result that there will not be a major lodging developement at Sunapee so the effect on the local economy has been small. If Cannon is privatized there most certainly would, probably at the Mit vs the base of Cannon for some new lodging. Sunapee is a day trip to many while Cannon is not.
Sunapee, the Whites, Jackson Hole, and the Lake George area, where my family owned and operated a large resort for over 20 years, still has their economies revolve primarily around the summer seasons which I am including the fall foliage time for New England.
These places are always trying to figure out how too increase the winter season and especially the "shoulder seasons". While killing the mountain for the longtime dedicated locals, looking at the bigger picture, in all these areas the business community are jonesing for more winter business.
After many years of little developement at JH, the explosion of developement at TV a few years ago has certainly helped as sales tax data has bumped up abit in the winter season.
From a economy standpoint a developement at Cannon would help the local economy might even bump things up in St J in Vermont which is a much easier drive in the winter than North Conway. Sorry River...:lol:
TB gave a great overall to the Cannon situation in his first post, it's going to be interesting to see how things progress, if it progresses at all.
There are so many challenges... Frankly, I believe Cannon would've been sold years ago if NOT for the accomodations challenge(s). The state had the option to do a swap and acquire the top of Mittersill back in 1982. The option expired, and thus the current impasse.
Basically, there isn't a lot of real estate to develop. Therefore, the big interests have stayed away.
That said, the State of New Hampshire could certainly let a private entity take a whack at operating the mountain. Smaller gov't is achieved for those pursuing that goal, and the operating budget of the state is reduced.
The KEY part for the leasing party would be MARKETING Cannon. Riverc0il's 'defanging' theory is certainly true, however, Cannon is simply not promoted the way that other areas are. But they can't promote Cannon as the 'Perfect Family destination' without ultimately mis-serving that market (and getting a bad rap).
I believe the locals would want to do ANYTHING to increase business on the north side of the notch. Franconia, Sugar Hill, etc... is becoming a 'grayer and grayer' area. Retirees of all stripes are moving to NH to take advantage of the tax-friendliness, and it's changing small towns.
Consider the leasing of Cannon a potential experiment. Because of the lack of develop-able land (for skiable acres or for real estate), I believe any efforts will wind up falling on their face. Even if the mountain is leased, it'll be back in State hands within a could of years. If any lessee wants to throw the kind of $$ necessary at promoting Cannon to compete with the other big areas, I believe that the gains in tickets sold will be offset in the cost of promotion.
Basically, there isn't a lot of real estate to develop. Therefore, the big interests have stayed away.
That said, the State of New Hampshire could certainly let a private entity take a whack at operating the mountain. Smaller gov't is achieved for those pursuing that goal, and the operating budget of the state is reduced.
The KEY part for the leasing party would be MARKETING Cannon. Riverc0il's 'defanging' theory is certainly true, however, Cannon is simply not promoted the way that other areas are. But they can't promote Cannon as the 'Perfect Family destination' without ultimately mis-serving that market (and getting a bad rap).
I believe the locals would want to do ANYTHING to increase business on the north side of the notch. Franconia, Sugar Hill, etc... is becoming a 'grayer and grayer' area. Retirees of all stripes are moving to NH to take advantage of the tax-friendliness, and it's changing small towns.
Consider the leasing of Cannon a potential experiment. Because of the lack of develop-able land (for skiable acres or for real estate), I believe any efforts will wind up falling on their face. Even if the mountain is leased, it'll be back in State hands within a could of years. If any lessee wants to throw the kind of $$ necessary at promoting Cannon to compete with the other big areas, I believe that the gains in tickets sold will be offset in the cost of promotion.
MadPadraic
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No matter what they build near Cannon, it is till further north than Loon and Waterville and lacks the Mt Washington Hotel of Bretton Woods.
Going back to Mt Sunapee, I wonder how much of their recent increase in skier visits has to do with simply being associated with Okemo?
Going back to Mt Sunapee, I wonder how much of their recent increase in skier visits has to do with simply being associated with Okemo?
SIKSKIER
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There is very little land that could developed at the base of Mittersill.It all would be needed for base lodge and lifts and such.
If coming from southern NH,Cannon is only 1/2 hour drive further.
MadPadraic
Active member
Which is an hour round trip, which is a big deal to some (e.g. me).
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