News

Cannon Mountain to Retire, Eventually Replace Aerial Tram

Peter Landsman19 Comments

This fall is your last chance to ride the iconic Cannon Mountain Aerial Tram in its current form. The state-owned New Hampshire mountain announced this morning the conclusion of public operations with planning underway for a new system to be constructed in the coming years. The current tram opened in 1980, making it 45 years old with more than nine million passengers carried. It was built by Italian manufacturer Agudio and replaced an American Steel & Wire tram that served the summit from 1938 to 1981. “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.”

Planning is underway for a third-generation tram but there’s no set timeline for reopening. In 2022, the state considered building a much cheaper gondola, but public feedback revealed a strong desire to continue Cannon’s tram legacy. The following year, the state put out an RFP for modernization of the current tram with a projected budget of $18 million. Leitner-Poma was the only bidder and came in $11 million over that amount. The project was put on hold while state leaders sought more funding.

Cannon’s original American Steel & Wire tram carried 27 riders per car, the current “ketchup and mustard” cars hold up to 80 and the next version may carry even more. “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,” Cannon wrote today. “This analysis will also help refine design requirements and load considerations for the next-generation tram system.” While $27 million is a great start, it’s nowhere near enough to build a completely new system at current prices. Skiers and sightseers will likely be without a base-to-summit lift for a number of years while the new tram is designed and built. In the meantime, the summit can still be accessed by a series of chairlifts in the winter.

A specific date for the tram’s final laps will be announced in the coming weeks.

News Roundup: A Long Time Coming

Peter Landsman9 Comments

Town of Nederland, Colorado to Buy Eldora

Peter Landsman8 Comments

The Colorado town located closest to unincorporated Eldora Mountain Resort plans to purchase the mountain from Powdr Corporation by October. A signed term sheet comes after months of negotiation and work behind the scenes between Powdr and the Town of Nederland. Powdr will continue to operate the mountain for two years until a “coalition of Front-Range ski industry veterans” takes over. The town plans to quickly add summer activities, a first for the 63 year old mountain. “Nederland aims to turn Eldora into a year-round, community-driven asset– expanding recreation, sparking local jobs and outdoor industries, and weaving sustainability and social equity (i.e. workforce housing) into every run, trail, and event,” said an announcement from Nederland’s Board of Trustees. “These economic development opportunities will give the Town a long-needed, sustainable way to fund infrastructure.” Eldora will remain partnered with the Alterra-owned Ikon Pass as it has been since Ikon’s inception in 2018.

Eldora is one of five mountains Powdr placed on the market last summer. Killington and Pico in Vermont sold to a local ownership group while Mt. Bachelor, Oregon was eventually pulled off the market in April. SilverStar, British Columbia remains for sale. Powdr always planned to retain Boreal and Soda Springs in California; Woodward Park City and Snowbird in Utah as well as Copper Mountain, Colorado.

Once the Eldora acquisition is complete, Nederland plans to annex the ski area, which operates partially on private land and mostly in the Roosevelt National Forest. Annexation could add $1-2 million in annual tax revenue to the town’s general fund. Eldora’s 700 staff will eventually become municipal employees, offering new benefits to them. “To the Powdr team: Thank you for stewarding the mountain thus far,” wrote the town trustees. “We take our responsibility seriously and we are forever thankful for your belief in us to continue your legacy.”

The town plans to issue municipal revenue bonds backed by the resort’s earnings, not tax revenue for the purchase. The total sale price remains confidential. The mountain is profitable though and projections show the town could build a $10 million reserve in the first few years of ownership. “The Town will also be exploring opportunities for grants and private-sector dollars to help lower the total debt,” an FAQ noted. The sale is expected to close by the beginning of October if everything goes smoothly.

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Doppelmayr to Grow Canadian Headquarters

Peter Landsman6 Comments

Doppelmayr Canada will dramatically expand its base in Saint-Jérôme, Quebec, situated between Montreal and the Laurentian Mountains. The new facility will feature approximately 120,000 square feet of indoor production, service and warehouse space; 31,000 square feet of covered outdoor space; and a 34,000 square foot office and training facility. The news comes just a few weeks after Doppelmayr broke ground on a similar expansion in Salt Lake City. “The new facility will be a state-of-the art manufacturing facility where we will continue to design and produce the highest quality ropeway systems in North America,” noted Luc Guy, CEO of Doppelmayr Canada. “We are excited to expand our production capabilities and our workforce and continue Doppelmayr’s legacy of building ropeways in Saint-Jérôme.”

The existing Saint-Jérôme plant opened in 1978 and today specializes in building UNI-G detachable equipment for Canada and the United States. The new headquarters will rise alongside the existing building and allow Doppelmayr to better serve the growing North American market. “Our employees do an outstanding job completing all our ropeways on time and to the highest standards,” said Gerhard Gassner, Doppelmayr Group Managing Director. “However, due to growing market volume, the new building has become essential to continue meeting these expectations,” he continued. The United States and Canada comprised 29 percent of the Group’s revenue last year, eclipsing €300 million.

Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) granted Doppelmayr Canada a repayable financial contribution of $3 million for the project. Construction is anticipated to start at the end of May with production set to begin at the new facility by the fourth quarter of 2026.