Aerial tramwayIn 1938, an aerial tramway, the first in North America, was dedicated in Franconia, N.H. The tramway was built to lift skiers from Franconia Notch to the 4,200-foot summit of Cannon Mountain on the north face. In 1933, the Richard Taft Trail was cut on the north face of Cannon. This was popular with the Boston-area ski clubs. The state of New Hampshire decided in the late 1930's to build an aerial tramway that would serve the Taft and its sister trails. The site was chosen, in part, because sufficient electric power was already in place in Franconia Notch. The tramway's wooden cabins held 28 skiers. The present tram, constructed in 1982, carries 70 skiers. The area is owned and operated by the state of New Hampshire. |
