Belleayre Ski Center

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 Roebling Single, later converted to a double), 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 a 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 snowmaking technology.

In 1977, the Roebling Double Chairlift was replaced by a Double Chairlift from Hall. The Hall Double was called the Summit Double Chairlift. In 1982, two double chairlifts by Doppelmayr were installed to service the lower green terrain, called Lift 1 and Lift 2. In 1986, a Riblet Triple Chairlift was installed to service the top of the mountain from the Overlook and Longhouse Lodges. In 1999, the Superchief and Tomahawk Fixed Grip Quad Chairlifts made by Garaventa were installed. The Superchief Quad was installed to replace the Hall Summit Double Chairlift. The Hall Summit Double was relocated to Plattekill Mountain as the North Face Double Chairlift. The Tomahawk Quad was installed on the west side of Belleayre to serve the Belleayre summit. It served new terrain and terrain formerly accessible by a Roebling T-Bar. In 2001, the Tomahawk parking lot along with the Dot Nebel trail opened on the west side of Belleayre. In 2006, the Superchief Fixed Grip Quad was upgraded to a Detachable High-Speed Quad by Doppelmayr/CTEC.

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.

During the 2017-2018 ski season, an eight-passenger gondola, named Catskill Thunder, began operation. It is the only gondola lift in The Catskills. And only one of 3 gondolas in NY state, all of them being on ORDA mountains.

During the 2019-2020 season, a new fixed-grip quad lift named Lightning replaced Lift 1 and Lift 2. This lift had a loading carpet and comfortable padding for the seats.

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 weeken*There is one other magic carpet ds 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

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