Belleayre Conditions

[Q*bert Jones IV]

I'm pretty new to the sport and to the area so forgive my basic questions.

I'm about equidistant from Hunter and Belleayre. I went to Hunter once a few years ago on a weekend and it was terrifyingly crowded. It's also a lot more expensive for a season pass (like ~2x, IIRC), and doesn't have a gondola (faster and warmer!). The mountains seemed about the same in terms of challenge and variety. I'll also note that I have a lot of local friends who all seem to have made that same choice; that is Belle over Hunter.

It seems to me that the most compelling reason to choose Hunter is the ability to go to other Vail resorts.

I haven't bought a season pass for next season yet but I've been very satisfied with Belleayre. Should I give Hunter another look? If so, why?

 

[Brownski]

I think your perceptions are accurate. If you’re newer yo skiing you probably haven’t had a chance to ski the more challenging terrain on the back of Hunter. That’s the places main appeal kn my opinion. It also helps to be able to get out midweek to avoid the crowds. For weekend, intermediate skiing, Belle is the logical choice. The hill that hasn’t been mentioned but deserves to be is Catamount. It’s just as close, less crowded then Hunter (probably less crowded then Belle too) and has a great mix of terrain for different ability levels

 

[Country Gun]

I'm pretty new to the sport and to the area so forgive my basic questions.

I'm about equidistant from Hunter and Belleayre. I went to Hunter once a few years ago on a weekend and it was terrifyingly crowded. It's also a lot more expensive for a season pass (like ~2x, IIRC), and doesn't have a gondola (faster and warmer!). The mountains seemed about the same in terms of challenge and variety. I'll also note that I have a lot of local friends who all seem to have made that same choice; that is Belle over Hunter.

It seems to me that the most compelling reason to choose Hunter is the ability to go to other Vail resorts.

I haven't bought a season pass for next season yet but I've been very satisfied with Belleayre. Should I give Hunter another look? If so, why?

Buy an Orda pass , hit Gore and Whiteface, Hunter has more than B but Hunter can’t compare to the Gore and the Face. Might just fall in love like I did!

 

[Q*bert Jones IV]

I'll try to make it a point to hit the back of Hunter and also get to Catamount next year. I tried to get tickets for Catamount this last season but they were all sold out.

It's weird to me that Windham is both the most expensive and least beloved of all the Catskills resorts.

 

[Harvey]

I'd think that objectively belovedness would have to be measured by total skier visits or price paid.

 

[x10003q]

Q*bert Jones IV
At some point you will figure out that gondolas suck except for reducing crowds on the the other lifts, Belle's Gondi is really is useless and gondolas go the same speed as high speed chairs. The terrain at Hunter is light years better than the terrain at Belleayre.

 

[Brownski]

Windham is alright. Somebody has to be last.

 

[Ripitz]

At some point you will figure out that gondolas suck except for reducing crowds on the the other lifts, Belle's Gondi is really is useless

When skiing with a young one I’d much rather be in a gondola than riding a chair. It also gives you a nice shelter on those frigid days, especially appreciated this last year when the lodge was limited.

The terrain at Hunter is light years better than the terrain at Belleayre.

Please tell this to as many people as possible. Belle is flat and Hunter is rad.

 

[tirolski]

When skiing with a young one I’d much rather be in a gondola than riding a chair. It also gives you a nice shelter on those frigid days, especially appreciated this last year when the lodge was limited.

Yup. True dat for warm blooded old folks too.
Just 1 ride up can be a warming experience being out of the wind.
Never been to Belle but rode Gore’s gondola when needed when chilled pre-pandemic.

 

[x10003q]

When skiing with a young one I’d much rather be in a gondola than riding a chair. It also gives you a nice shelter on those frigid days, especially appreciated this last year when the lodge was limited.

I have skiing kids and know all about the gondola fascination. I also know about wet gloves and cold hands from removing and holding snowy/wet skis and waiting in longer gondola lines instead of skiing. If your kids are dressed properly for the day's temps, getting overheated in a gondola is not a good plan.

Please tell this to as many people as possible. Belle is flat and Hunter is rad.

Right, because a long 7/10 mile ridge having 15+ similar trails with a steep 200-300 vertical followed by a blue/green run out is so compelling. It is particularly fun dragging your little kids across the top of the ridge to get to the 3 blue trails at either end of the ridge.
Belleayre has one of the best green pods in the East - but after that Belleayre's terrain cannot hold a candle to Hunter's terrain.