Belleayre and NYS Budget Cuts

[Rambo]

This is what I remeber reading in articles late last March.

That Belleayre Ski Center was established and in operation before Hunter and Windham came into existence.

That Hunter and Windham lodged complaints with New York State asking that Belleayre raise the price of their lift tickets to be at near the prices of Hunter and Windham (so as to be on a more level playing field as far as lift ticket prices go). Also (this is the point I didn't like) Hunter wants Belleayre to shut down for the season the same time that Hunter does. (lately Belleayre has been going Mid-April and Hunter tends ro close at the beginning of April with the possibillity of opening on a weekend only mid-April).

So I saw only 2 basic requests from Hunter & Windham. Which was to have Belleayre raise their prices of lift tickets and to shorten their length of season. I did not see where Hunter or Windham called for Belleayre to be shut down.

 

[Rambo]

Snow making in April

As far as making snow in April at Belleayre, this is what I noticed skiing there in April. To get to the bottom of the High-Speed Quad lift you have to ski down a trail from the Main base lodge. This area tends to melt and lower down get a few bare spots late season. So I could see evidence where snow was made at the beginning of April to firm up the base and cover these bare spots. Also there seemed to be very limited snowmaking farther up the moutain in a few spots to cover thin base areas.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Isn't that collusion..it's a free market society..if I have a hot-dog stand and all my competitors sell hot-dogs for $2..I can sell mine for $1 to gain market share. Attendance at Belleayre doubled in a decade..while skier visits nationwide increased less than 20 percent. When I was in high school it was all about Hunter and Windham for the skillz..Windham for the cruisers and Hunter for the bumpers. Well Belleayre has great bump runs and great cruisers and the catskills best race trail (Dot Nebal)..I really hope things are resolved..snowmaking in April is great for marketing..years ago Blue mountain blew snow on closing day..and it was nice dry manmade..better than month old mank..it's a nice thank you to passholders and late season skiers and riders for coming out...

If the weather is nice..Belleayre draws a really good crowd of spring skiers from PA..Closing weekend at Belleayre is a must for me because it's the last time I can go skiing with only a 3 hour drive..cause the next weekend I'll be driving to Vermont..

 

[thinnmann]

on on

Daily Freeman about the meeting yesterday.

snip--->>>

Robert Shapiro, a Fleischmanns resident, said everyone knows the state needs to make budget cuts, but he questioned the fairness of plans to cut as deep into Belleayre as is being discussed. He wondered if other state-run recreation facilities face the same fate.

"Are the people at Bethpage Golf Course wondering if they will have the grass cut there? Are the folks at Jones Beach wondering if the number of lifeguards will be reduced?" he asked.​

 

[AdironRider]

Considering running the lawn mowers or paying 10 bucks an hour to a high school lifeguard are pennies compared to running a snowmaking system your point is moot IMO.

Personally I think everyone is freaking out over a ski area that noone seemed to care to much about before this news came. Noone mentioned Belleyare as a great place to ski in the Catskills, everyone mentions Hunter. But as soon as some news comes down that service will be limited, they all freak out and demand the same service they werent using in the first place.

I say just close it and allocate more funds to the better hills in the ADK's, Gore and Whiteface. Yeah, I said it.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

Noone mentioned Belleyare as a great place to ski in the Catskills, everyone mentions Hunter. But as soon as some news comes down that service will be limited, they all freak out and demand the same service they werent using in the first place.

I say just close it and allocate more funds to the better hills in the ADK's, Gore and Whiteface. Yeah, I said it.

I know that you're just trolling, but lots of people go there (and have been going for years) and it's a fun place to ski... a nice yang to Hunter's yin.

 

[thinnmann]

Considering running the lawn mowers or paying 10 bucks an hour to a high school lifeguard are pennies compared to running a snowmaking system your point is moot IMO.

Personally I think everyone is freaking out over a ski area that noone seemed to care to much about before this news came. Noone mentioned Belleyare as a great place to ski in the Catskills, everyone mentions Hunter. But as soon as some news comes down that service will be limited, they all freak out and demand the same service they werent using in the first place.

I say just close it and allocate more funds to the better hills in the ADK's, Gore and Whiteface. Yeah, I said it.

Great opinion! Please don't ski at Belleayre. As a matter of fact, the more of you that stay away the better! Thanks!

 

[tommy5402]

I say just close it and allocate more funds to the better hills in the ADK's, Gore and Whiteface. Yeah, I said it.

How bout we close whatever hill you frequent. Naw, better for you to stay there.

But I happen to love Gore, and nothing good comes from shutting belleayre.

 

[SkiDork]

how was the meeting on Saturday?

 

[ed-drum]

The meeting on Saturday was crowded. Standing room only. There were cars with Connecticut and New Jersey Plates in the parking lot, as well as from New York. The Daily Freeman from Kingston did a front page story on Sunday.

 

[RENO]

Considering running the lawn mowers or paying 10 bucks an hour to a high school lifeguard are pennies compared to running a snowmaking system your point is moot IMO.

Personally I think everyone is freaking out over a ski area that noone seemed to care to much about before this news came. Noone mentioned Belleyare as a great place to ski in the Catskills, everyone mentions Hunter. But as soon as some news comes down that service will be limited, they all freak out and demand the same service they werent using in the first place.

I say just close it and allocate more funds to the better hills in the ADK's, Gore and Whiteface. Yeah, I said it.

Do you really think that if they shut down Belleayre they won't be going after Gore or Whiteface in the near future if the economy continues the way it's going? :???:
Also, do you really think they're gonna take that money they save from Belleayre and put it into Gore or Whiteface? :???:
Also, did you read any part of this thread and links to info before you made your post? :roll:

 

[dmc]

Do you really think that if they shut down Belleayre they won't be going after Gore or Whiteface in the near future if the economy continues the way it's going? :???:
Also, do you really think they're gonna take that money they save from Belleayre and put it into Gore or Whiteface? :???:
Also, did you read any part of this thread and links to info before you made your post? :roll:

It's his opinion...

I guess everyone's entitled to one.. We could start some hardcore opinion moderation...

 

[thinnmann]

i'm still on it

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080916/NEWS/80916025

snip---->>>

HIGHMOUNT — Sen. Chuck Schumer Tuesday called on state Department of Environmental Conservation to commit to a full ski season at Belleayre Mountain following reports that the agency was planning to sharply reduce its operating budget.

“Belleayre Mountain Ski Center is bursting with economic benefits for Ulster County and we cannot let it fall to the wayside,” Schumer said. “I hope that the DEC will heed the community’s call and commit to a full ski season at Belleayre so that we can keep the jobs and revenue generated by the ski mountain.”​

...actually, that is almost the whole article...

Thanks Chuck.

 

[dmc]

“I hope that the DEC will heed the community’s call and commit to a full ski season at Belleayre so that we can keep the jobs and revenue generated by the ski mountain.”​

Finally...

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Do you guys think Belleayre will open before Hunter this season???

 

[MarkC]

Do you guys think Belleayre will open before Hunter this season???

It depends on the weather but I doubt it.

 

[millerm277]

Do you guys think Belleayre will open before Hunter this season???

I'd say no. Even if they do get their budget fixed, I'd have to think they will be more cautious with spending this year. Hunter has been more patient about waiting for a long cold spell, but can open more quickly when they do start going.

 

[catskills]

Do you guys think Belleayre will open before Hunter this season???

Its my opinion that we are going to get a huge Noreaster on Friday Nov 14, that will close schools after getting more than 24 inches of snow from West Virginia to Maine. Saturday Nov 15th, every ski area on the northeast will be open. Its my opinion. If you don't like my opinion too bad.

 

[dmc]

Its my opinion that we are going to get a huge Noreaster on Friday Nov 14, that will close schools after getting more than 24 inches of snow from West Virginia to Maine. Saturday Nov 15th, every ski area on the northeast will be open. Its my opinion. If you don't like my opinion too bad.

Wow... Great opinion...

i second that!

 

[dmc]

I'd say no. Even if they do get their budget fixed, I'd have to think they will be more cautious with spending this year. Hunter has been more patient about waiting for a long cold spell, but can open more quickly when they do start going.

The taxpayers eyes are more focused on this now after this last "funding fire drill"...