Belleayre: Keepin’ It On The Road

There comes a time when we have to accept that ski season might be over. It always sneaks up on me but this winter especially, it took me by surprise — probably because conditions were so good through February and the beginning of March. It’s time to savor each turn.

Tough drive

Last week, I was afraid I might be done. Two weekends in a row, I hadn’t been able to pull it together. I had good intentions; I was watching the Indy Pass resorts closest to me, Magic and Berkshire East. It seemed I would get rained on, no matter where I went. I didn’t want to give up but things looked grim. Then both hills announced that their last day would be Friday April 4.

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November Snow in the Catskills

This has been a year of transition for my family. Our daughter is in her first year of college. My wife and I are building a house in New York, and planning to move in the first half of next year. And after forty years of employment with one company, I’m retiring. I’ll be honest, it hasn’t been easy keeping it all together.

Galli Curci Road

Finishing our house and managing my exit from the company are taking priority. The season snuck up on me, even more so than usual, and I definitely don’t have my act together. Last weekend I skied Gore with a cotton teeshirt under my fleece. This weekend, I couldn’t even find my real camera.

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Belleayre and Plattekill

I had one day to ski last weekend and for me, this year, that means the Catskills. I wanted to ski those intermediate pitched bumps underneath the Belleayre Express. I also yearned to be back with my people, at Plattekill, on what was likely closing day.

race course

Early in the week, Plattekill was promoting St Platty’s Day without specifically mentioning skiing. Believe me I get it, Saturday was a long ways off. I decided I’d ski Belle in the morning and head over in the afternoon for Plattekill’s most excellent corn beef and cabbage dinner special.

I arrived at Belle an hour before first chair. There were already hundreds of cars in the lot at Overlook.

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