SAM Magazine—Concord, N.H., Feb. 22, 2024— Six months after the departure of John “JD” DeVivo, New Hampshire’s Cannon Mountain will soon have a new general manager, Jace Wirth. 

New Hampshire lawmakers recently approved the salary for Wirth, allowing the Steamboat Springs, Colo., native to take the helm at the state-owned ski area in Franconia Notch.

“It is an honor to become part of the rich history of Cannon Mountain and Franconia Notch State Park,” Wirth told SAM.  “I will bring the same passion and community focus that emanates from the Cannon family. Always with gratitude and respect for those who have come before, we'll continue to build on the legacy of this special place.”

Wirth, a former ski racer and 13-year industry veteran, most recently served as CEO of Alaska Shore Tours, a Skagway-based tour company organizing adventure tours for cruise ship visitors. Prior to that, Wirth and his father, Andy, were involved in since-nixed plans to build the first Bode Miller Ski Academy at Granby Ranch, a Colorado golf and ski resort community. Both Wirths left Granby Ranch in 2022.

Jace Wirth also previously worked as an assistant general manager at Genting Resort Secret Garden, a ski resort in China, and as director of resort services at Colorado’s Echo Mountain Resort. He also has had stints in media marketing and as head alpine coach at the Eldora Mountain Ski Club.

Wirth is expected to begin at Cannon in mid-March. Greg Keeler, Cannon’s director of sales and marketing, has served as the resort’s interim general manager since DeVivo departed in August 2023, after 16 years at the ski area, to become general manager of the non-profit Antelope Butte Mountain Recreation Area in northern Wyoming.

Report by Bob Curley