Free Senior Skiing Under Threat In NH
State Legislature Considers Ending Decades Of Free Senior Skiing At Cannon Mountain.
Cannon Mountain is a state-owned area, famous for its aerial tram and free skiing for 65+ seniors.
Credit: Cannon Mountain
Since 1973, state-owned Cannon Mountain has been the only ski area in New Hampshire to offer free skiing to seniors 65-plus. This year, a second attempt to end free skiing for seniors was introduced to the legislature. The change would mean seniors would pay a discount of two-thirds ticket price on weekends and one-third on weekdays. Free skiing is currently only available during the week.
Supporters of the repeal of free skiing say that the additional revenue is needed to help the NH Division of Parks and Recreation become self-sufficent, a requirement of 1991 legislation. Opponents say that many seniors in the region are far from wealthy and view the change as a “tax” on seniors who usually ski during the week when the slopes are nearly empty.
In a close vote, the bill, SB 411, was passed by the House and now goes to the House Ways and Means Committee for review before coming back to the House for a final vote.
There are currently about 97 ski areas that offer free skiing in North America, according to the National Ski Area Association. A handful of small resorts start free skiing at 65, while the majority offer the privilege to 70+ skiers. An adult ticket currently cost $75 at Cannon; the senior discount would mean a $50 weekend ticket and $25 for weekday.
SeniorsSkiing.com has recommended that the free skiing benchmark should be raised from 65 to 70, still providing access to skiing for the many skiers in the region while creating a reasonable discount for 65-70. A season pass reflecting a deep discount for 65-70 is also recommended. We hope the State Legislature of New Hampshire acts with a sense of compromise and fairness in this matter.
What are your thoughts?
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Everything keeps going up in price.
The ski resorts in the East did have a
terrible season.
The prices are crazy even for young families.
Also, I am sure that running these resorts have gotten more expensive.
I’d like to note that Cannon’s free senior skiing applies only to New Hampshire residents on Mondays through Fridays. In addition they offer 2-for-1deals for all on Tuesday and Thursday, as well as a $25 ticket on Wednesdays for all NH residents. Appears they also have a variety of discount offers on their season passes. While I’ve enjoyed free skiing at Cannon for 5 years now, I’ll gladly pay for a lift ticket to, my opinion, the best skiing in NH!
What is the projected revenue increase if seniors have to pay. Is there a significant and impacted revenue gain from the relatively small numbers of people who must pay. Or is there a net loss by a decision to not pay and frequent Cannon, by no one now coming and spending anything they now spend while there?
Should the economic viability of cannon mountain rest on a minority of the senior citizens of New Hampshire? I do not think so!! Most of us are on fixed incomes.
Please rethink this terrible idea.
I am not sure why the NH legislators want to penalize senior citizens who have worked all their lives and finally get to enjoy the small benefits of being a senior citizens by reducing NH senior citizen benefits. A more cost effective measure would be to raise ticket prices by a dollar or two for the regular tickets. This would spread the cost to the working customers that are in a better position to pay one or two more dollars.
Let seniors have this perk. We don’t get a break on property taxes unless we are really economically disadvantaged.