Belleayre Conditions

[rebel1916]

But imagine how much better the hill would ski if it wasn’t there. And it’s apparently in an avalanche zone so safety.

It skied better before you often had to ski down to the Gondola on weekdays. It was at one time one of the best learning pods anywhere because it was segregated. It was also better for people who could ski, because we didn't need to deal with those extra few hundred feet of virtually flat runout. Or taking our skis off every run, for that matter

 

[Bandit]

They also need to fix that hot mess of a learning area that they made. Too steep, too short, too crowded, no safe place for viewing… Papoose Landing wasn’t even open at the end of the season because the Kaatskill Katerpillar was broken. They need to abandon that whole area and fire anyone who keeps insisting it’s a good idea. For a place that prides itself in being a place for beginners, has copious amounts of low angle terrain AND has all of that money to spend, they somehow managed to create the worst magic carpet area of any ski center.

Absolutely. And Brownski while it would be simple that would mean they would have to admit to the mistake.

And yes the whole point was so beginners could get their gear and walk right out onto the snow without walking up the hill but like Rip said it’s simply too steep and too short. Terrible beginner area for never evers.

 

[snoloco]

I always assumed that they moved the learning area because they wanted to have Lower Deer Run follow the lift line of the gondola to where it widens out at the base, rather than awkwardly merging with Iroquois like it does now. However, they never make snow on the gondola line portion, which means this change was never fully implemented.

 

[Harvey]

It skied better before you often had to ski down to the Gondola on weekdays. It was at one time one of the best learning pods anywhere because it was segregated. It was also better for people who could ski, because we didn't need to deal with those extra few hundred feet of virtually flat runout. Or taking our skis off every run, for that matter

That's what I was thinking.

 

[tirolski]

They also need to fix that hot mess of a learning area that they made. Too steep, too short, too crowded, no safe place for viewing… Papoose Landing wasn’t even open at the end of the season because the Kaatskill Katerpillar was broken. They need to abandon that whole area and fire anyone who keeps insisting it’s a good idea. For a place that prides itself in being a place for beginners, has copious amounts of low angle terrain AND has all of that money to spend, they somehow managed to create the worst magic carpet area of any ski center.

Ya seem to be consistent in yer thoughts Mr Rip.

Belleayre Draft 2022 Unit Management Plan

ORDA has posted the draft 2022 UMP for Belleayre here: https://orda.org/belleayre-draft-2022-umpa/ Public comment is open until August 24. Highlights include a new Lift 7 that loads below the top of lift 1 (Lightning) so skiers can get off 1 and load 7 to get to the top. Included in that is...

nyskiblog.com

 

[SayvilleSteve]

Still, you can understand why the state would go into "Safety Cindy" mode.

The fireplace at the Saddle Lodge at Gore begs to differ.

 

[snoloco]

It skied better before you often had to ski down to the Gondola on weekdays. It was at one time one of the best learning pods anywhere because it was segregated. It was also better for people who could ski, because we didn't need to deal with those extra few hundred feet of virtually flat runout. Or taking our skis off every run, for that matter

Belleayre is a very quirky mountain, mostly because under the original construction of the ski area, the upper and lower were never intended to be connected. The last 25 years have been defined by various attempts at improving connectivity between upper and lower.

The gondola was a necessary upgrade because it was a bitch and a half to get from the Discovery Lodge to the west side, which like it or not is and has always been the main lodge with the largest parking lot. You had to take Lift 1/2, then the Superchief, then Lift 7, and then Tomahawk to finally get to the west side. This is due to the ridge sloping west to east. With the gondola, you can simply ride directly to the top of the west side and then ski down to any trail along the ridge from Deer Run to Roaring Brook.

The gondola vs Tomahawk discussion could be its own thread, but it comes down to a tradeoff between mountain connectivity and lapping. The gondola isn't ideal to lap runs off of, but it has to run to provide connectivity between the lower and upper and east and west. Many other ski areas have the same dilemma.

Another improvement that came with the gondola is the fact that the west side is open much earlier in the season than it used to be, and given that the west side has the best terrain, I consider it a worthwhile tradeoff.

 

[Bandit]

Belleayre is a very quirky mountain, mostly because under the original construction of the ski area, the upper and lower were never intended to be connected. The last 25 years have been defined by various attempts at improving connectivity between upper and lower.

Various attempts over 25 years?

The gondola was a necessary upgrade because it was a bitch and a half to get from the Discovery Lodge to the west side, which like it or not is and has always been the main lodge with the largest parking lot.

Many would disagree that the Discovery has always been the main. Nobody I know ever parked there before they installed the gondola and forced you to early season, why would anyone park there and have to ride lift 1 if they intend to ski the upper Mtn?

You had to take Lift 1/2, then the Superchief, then Lift 7, and then Tomahawk to finally get to the west side.

No need to take 7. From top of 6 you can take any trail from Onondaga west, hit Howes highway then tomahawk crossing.

Another improvement that came with the gondola is the fact that the west side is open much earlier in the season than it used to be, and given that the west side has the best terrain, I consider it a worthwhile tradeoff.

You present this as fact but now that there aren’t any bumps on the west side many would disagree that it is the best terrain.

 

[rebel1916]

The gondola was a necessary upgrade because it was a bitch and a half to get from the Discovery Lodge to the west side, which like it or not is and has always been the main lodge with the largest parking lot. You had to take Lift 1/2, then the Superchief, then Lift 7, and then Tomahawk to finally get to the west side. This is due to the ridge sloping west to east. With the gondola, you can simply ride directly to the top of the west side and then ski down to any trail along the ridge from Deer Run to Roaring Brook.

The Gondola was a ludicrous upgrade. It would only make sense if the Highmount expansion were to happen, and even then it's a bit of a stretch. The route from the top of Superchief to Tomahawk is easy as pie. The route from the top of the Gondola to Roaring Brook is a bitch.

 

[Ripitz]

The lift formally known as Superchief is now the Belleayre Express and Tomahawk is now Lift 8. Please everyone, stop being insensitive.