Free ski-history museum at Cannon Mountain

New England Ski Museum — Franconia Notch

Roughly 14 road miles north of Clark's Bears via I-93

Add a free, independent museum at Cannon Mountain to a White Mountains trip, with ski equipment, lift history, regional racing, photographs, and changing exhibits.

The place

About New England Ski Museum — Franconia Notch

New England Ski Museum's Franconia Notch branch is an independent nonprofit museum at the base of Cannon Mountain, roughly 14 road miles north of Clark's Bears. Founded in 1977, the organization opened this branch in 1982 in a former vehicle-maintenance building beside the aerial tramway.

The museum collects, conserves, and exhibits material from New England ski history for research, education, and inspiration. Published exhibit subjects include the development of skiing, Cannon Mountain firsts, local Olympic racer Bode Miller, Tuckerman Ravine, the 10th Mountain Division, New England Olympians, and the influence of ski lifts on mountain culture.

Admission is free, with donations welcomed. Current official properties disagree on operating hours: the museum's branch page says daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m., its commerce/about property lists Friday-Monday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. with weekend-only shoulder periods, and Cannon Mountain currently lists Friday, Saturday, and Monday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Do not choose among those claims silently—call 603-823-7177 or check the museum's same-day notice before leaving Lincoln.

The branch is at I-93 Exit 34B near the Cannon Mountain tramway base. Cannon Mountain says parking is free in designated attraction lots but also states that the aerial tramway is closed for the entire 2026 summer season. The museum can still be a worthwhile history stop, but visitors must not assume a museum visit includes a tram ride or that the tram is operating.

What stands out

Follow skiing through time

See equipment and interpretation connecting early ski travel, shaped skis, racing, and modern lift culture.

Read Cannon Mountain firsts

Connect the museum collection to the mountain, aerial-tramway setting, and regional winter-sports development.

Meet New England competitors

Explore stories involving Olympians, Bode Miller, Tuckerman Ravine, and the 10th Mountain Division.

Separate history from operations

Enjoy tramway history without mistaking museum displays or historical images for a promise that the tram operates in summer 2026.

Pair it with the train

Why it belongs in a Clark's Bears trip

The museum is roughly 14 road miles north of Clark's Bears via I-93. Use it before or after the park only when verified hours and the drive leave enough margin for Clark's color-coded train and show schedule; otherwise place it on another Franconia Notch day.

Before you go

Plan your visit

  • AdmissionFree; donations support the nonprofit museum
  • Hours conflictOfficial properties currently disagree between daily, Friday-Monday, and Friday/Saturday/Monday schedules; verify directly before travel
  • LocationAt the Cannon Mountain aerial-tramway base, I-93 Exit 34B in Franconia Notch State Park
  • 2026 tram statusCannon Mountain states the aerial tramway is closed for the full 2026 summer season; museum admission is separate
  • ParkingCannon Mountain lists free designated attraction parking; no roadside parking along I-93
  • CollectionSki equipment, clothing, photographs, films, regional racing, lift history, Cannon firsts, and 10th Mountain Division material
  • Branch identityUse the Franconia Notch address; the same nonprofit also operates a separate North Conway branch
  • Access planningThe current branch pages do not publish a complete mobility route; call about entrance, restroom, or exhibit-space needs

Return to the Clark's park and train guide

Add Clark's Bears

Use the park guide for 2026 admission, exact color-calendar dates, train and show times, mobility details, rain policies, and the included White Mountain Central Railroad.

View the guide →

Useful answers

Frequently asked questions

How much is admission?

Admission is free. The nonprofit welcomes donations.

When is the Franconia museum open?

Current official properties conflict: one says daily 10-5, another Friday-Monday 11-4, and Cannon lists Friday, Saturday, and Monday 11-4. Verify the same day's hours directly before travel.

Is this the North Conway branch?

No. This guide covers the Franconia Notch branch at 135 Tramway Drive. The nonprofit operates a separate branch in North Conway.

What does the museum cover?

Its published subjects include ski development, Cannon Mountain history, lift technology, Tuckerman Ravine, the 10th Mountain Division, Olympians, regional racing, equipment, clothing, photographs, and films.

Can I ride the Cannon tram in summer 2026?

No. Cannon Mountain currently says the aerial tramway is closed for the entire 2026 summer season. Historical tram displays and images do not change that operating status.

Where should I park?

Use designated attraction parking at I-93 Exit 34B. Cannon lists free parking and prohibits parking along I-93.

Is the museum wheelchair accessible?

The current official branch pages do not publish enough detail for a blanket claim. Call 603-823-7177 about the exact entrance, restroom, or exhibit-space need.

How should I pair it with Clark's Bears?

The drive is roughly 14 road miles. Verify museum hours first, then protect the park's published train and show schedule; use separate days if the timing is tight.

Trust and accuracy

Sources

Source checked 2026-08-24. This free guide has not yet been confirmed by the venue. Current hours, prices, services, and accessibility can change; confirm time-sensitive details directly.