Cannon Mountain in Franconia, New Hampshire

Painted in 2007

If you’re at all familiar with ski history, you’re probably at least familiar with Cannon Mountain. Its list of “firsts” is long and varied. The initial aerial tram at Cannon ran for forty-two years, starting in 1938, so it’s no surprise that plenty of skiers got their start here. And, with the highest vertical drop in New Hampshire at 2,330 feet, Cannon’s long sustained runs have helped mold generations of skiers. While it might not have the biggest skiable acreage, Cannon makes up for it with interesting and varied terrain, and about a third of Cannon’s runs are expert-level, making it a great area to grow your skills.