The Catskills Blog

Belleayre Fall Update 2013

Posted on by NYSkiBlog

Belleayre-Ski-CenterWe got a quick update on off-season improvements from Tom Tar, the general manager at Belleayre Ski Center.

Snowmaking:  We replaced four submersible pumps that supply our water. We’ve also replaced 9,000 feet of air and water lines that will allow us to increase water pressure and further improve our efficiency.

We added 25 low-energy guns including ten new SMI Polecat Fan Guns  that will further increase our snowmaking capabilities and energy efficiency.

Lifts: We’re replacing the handle tow (Lift #5) on the bunny slope with a magic carpet.  The new lift will be ready for opening day.

Gear: We will have a new rental fleet of new skis and snowboards. As part of ORDA, it’s likely that our rental fleet will be similar to those at Gore and Whiteface.

Renovations: The Discovery Lodge is currently being upgraded. The cafeteria style food service has been replaced with a more modern food court with an enhanced menu and more space for additional seating. This should also help with the flow of customers and alleviate the some of the lines/bottleneck at the cash registers.

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Tagged: Belleayre, Catskills1 Comment

Peekamoose Mountain Trail, NY

Posted on by ml242

For the first time I can remember, skiing barely crossed my mind as I drove into the Catskills. After one of the most perfect springs in years, summer turned the page by burning it off the calendar.

Peekamoose-Stream

Multiple days over 90 degrees had me and my friends feeling the heat. With a rare midweek opportunity to hit the trails with a car full of company, we jumped at the chance.

With a group of mixed experience, I scoured my maps to find something easy with advantageous lookouts and a lack of crowds, that would also be close to some cool options for after the hike. After weighing endless options, I settled on the trail up Peekamoose Mountain, for selfishly, I had yet to hike it and wanted to see Wittenberg and some of the reservoirs from that side.

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Tagged: Catskills, Hiking6 Comments

Guest Opinion: Belleayre Ski Center Expansion

Posted on by Laszlo Vajtay

Plattekill Mountain logoI understand the support the Belleayre mountain expansion project has been receiving and I acknowledge the positive economic impact it could have for the local communities. But there are some real negative effects it could have as well on the local businesses it will compete against. My ski area, Plattekill Mountain, is one of those businesses.

I have reservations about the magnitude of Belleayre Resort, but I don’t have a problem with the project itself. It’s private money that’s being put at risk.  Route 28 is in desperate need of more quality lodging properties. If that’s what they want to build, and they’re willing to see it through, let them do it. That’s capitalism.

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Tagged: Belleayre, Catskills, Plattekill29 Comments