Belleayre Ski Center, in Catskill Park, New York, United States, is a ski resort owned and operated by the Olympic Regional Development Authority or ORDA. Skier and snowboarder visits have grown from 70,000 in 1995 to more than 175,000 in 2007.
History
During the 1800s, Catskill and Adirondack deforestation had created massive siltation of New York City harbor and imperiled shipping up the Hudson River. In 1855 New York became one of the first states to create constitutionally-designated "Forever Wild" preserves to prevent environmental and economic harms, to create a desperately needed water supply for New York City. In 1947, the people of New York passed a constitutional amendment by referendum to allow an intensive use ski center within this protected forever wild region.[1]
Belleayre Mountain, located off State Route 28, 2-1/2 hours from New York City, was declared "Forever Wild" by the New York State Forest Preserve in 1885. Early on, skiers would side-step or hike their way more than 3,000 feet to the top of the wooded trails. Skiing enthusiasts in the 1940s pressured politicians to develop Belleayre for families and extreme skiers alike. In 1947, bills were introduced allowing the State of New York to create Belleayre Mountain.
Construction began in 1949, and Belleayre began its premier winter season with five trails, an electrically powered rope tow, New York’s first chairlift, a summit lodge, a temporary base lodge with a cafeteria and dirt floors, and parking for 300. Belleayre was immediately popular among local residents and became center for winter sports in the region and an economic catalyst for surrounding communities. As business increased, Belleayre expanded its skiing terrain, adding 12 new trails, 3 lifts, and a new base lodge in the 1950s. Major expansions and technology and equipment upgrades continued in the following decades. The 1970s included the addition of snow making technology.
As of 2012, Belleayre has 55 trails, parks and glades and 8 lifts, including a High Speed Quad. It also has the Catskills' only Cat-access skiing. In November 2012, the resort was transferred from the NYS DEC to the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA). ORDA also operates Gore and Whiteface Mountain ski resorts.
Trails and glades
| Name of trail |
Rating |
| Catawba Pass |
 |
| Chief's Cut |
|
| Chinook |
|
| Dakota |
|
| Discovery Way |
|
| Easy In |
|
| Easy Out |
|
| Huron |
|
| Iroquois |
|
| Mohican |
|
| Oneida |
|
| Running Bear |
|
| The Canyon Top |
|
| Name of trail |
Rating |
| Algonquin |
 |
| Ashokan |
|
| Belleayre Run |
|
| Cayuga |
|
| Cathedral Brook |
|
| Deer Run |
|
| Dot Nebel |
|
| Eagle Falls |
|
| Esopus |
|
| Expressway |
|
| Horseshoe Pass |
|
| Mohawk |
|
| Onondaga |
|
| Peekamoose |
|
| Pepacton |
|
| Ridge Trail |
|
| Roaring Brook |
|
| Seneca |
|
| The Canyon |
|
| Tomahawk Crossing |
|
| Tongora |
|
| Wanatuska |
|
| Winnisook Bottom |
|
| Yahoo |
|
| Name of trail |
Rating |
| Algonquin Top |
 |
| Belleayre Run Top |
|
| Dot Nebel |
|
| Mohawk Top |
|
| Onteora |
|
| Peekamoose Top |
|
| Tuscarora |
|
| Wanatuska Top |
|
| Winnisook Top |
|
| Name of trail |
Rating |
| Cathedral Brook |
 |
| Onteora Top |
|
| Seneca Top |
|
| Tongora Top |
|
| Utsayantha |
|
| Yahoo Top |
|
| Chippewa Glade |
|
| Glen Glade |
|
| Belleayre Glades |
|
| Lift Line Glade |
|
| Winnisook Glade |
|
| Area 51 Park |
|
| Rail Park |
|
Cross country trails
Belleayre Mountain cross country trails are separated from the downhill slopes. Cross-country trails have no trail use fee. Lessons for cross-country are available on weekends and holiday periods. There are 5 cross-country trails at Belleayre Mountain totaling 9.2 kilometers. Trail markings range from easy to difficult to accommodate all ability levels of cross-country skiers.
| Name of trail |
Rating |
Length/Miles |
Length/KM |
| A |
|
1.5 |
2.4 |
| AA |
|
0.7 |
1.0 |
| H |
|
1.1 |
1.8 |
| HH |
|
1.5 |
2.3 |
| J |
|
1.5 |
2.5 |
Lifts
| Lift Name |
Type |
Length |
Vertical |
Cap./Hour |
| Chair 1 |
Double Chair |
3,792 |
479 |
1,200 |
| Chair 2 |
Double Chair |
3,792 |
479 |
1,200 |
| Little Creek Tow 3 |
Handle Tow |
725 |
98 |
540 |
| Skiwee Tow 4 |
Handle Tow |
725 |
115 |
540 |
| Handle Tow 5 |
Handle Tow |
400 |
40 |
540 |
| Superchief 6 |
Detachable Quad |
4,866 |
1,133 |
2,400 |
| Triple Chair 7 |
Triple Chairlift |
2,861 |
806 |
1,800 |
| Tomahawk 8 |
Quad ChairLift |
3,412 |
923 |
2,400 |
References
External links
