Belleayre Conditions

[goldsbar]

Are they any good? I haven't been there all year but their trail descriptions seems to indicate a lot of moguls which I like. Are these "real" moguls or the bump every 20ft type of thing? For a bonus question, is Plattekill in decent shape now? I was there many times over the last three years but haven't gone once this year due to the lack of snow. Thanks.

 

[JimG.]

Are they any good? I haven't been there all year but their trail descriptions seems to indicate a lot of moguls which I like. Are these "real" moguls or the bump every 20ft type of thing? For a bonus question, is Plattekill in decent shape now? I was there many times over the last three years but haven't gone once this year due to the lack of snow. Thanks.

Bump comp at Belleayre tomorrow, so the bumps ought to be primo.

Plattekill got a foot from yesterday's storm and I hear the woods are marginally skiable; unfortunately, today is the day to be there and I'm here instead.

 

[krisskis]

Are they any good? I haven't been there all year but their trail descriptions seems to indicate a lot of moguls which I like. Are these "real" moguls or the bump every 20ft type of thing? For a bonus question, is Plattekill in decent shape now? I was there many times over the last three years but haven't gone once this year due to the lack of snow. Thanks.

Was at Belleayre this past sunday, lots of ice but the bumps were good...nice and tight together <not that i can ski them, but i sure do try my best> LOL. There was alot of ice between the bumps but the best trail that day was Wanatuska with the bumps towards the bottom. My brother in law, KingSlug, was there with us and im sure he can give you a bit more info. I got their email this morning that says they got 3 to 5" overnight with a couple more expected so maybe its a bit better than last weekend.

 

[WICKEDBUMPER]

I've never been to Belleayre, and all this talk of moguls there makes me want to check the place out. How are weekend crowds? and most importantly, do they groom the place flat on friday night so all the bumps are gone for the weekend skiers?
Thanks.

 

[goldsbar]

I've only been there once last year but I can tell you a little bit:

General - the mountain is more of a ridge than a peak. The top is semi steep and the bottom is flattish. Most runs are fairly straight top to bottom.

Crowds - when people say "not crowded" they must be comparing it to Hunter. The one day (ok, that's a very small sample size) I went it did have some lift lines. Nothing extreme, though and the crowds disperse well on the trials.

Lifts - the longest one on the left side of the map is PAINFULLY slow. One of the slowest lifts I've been on. I hear they're replacing it next year. Others are old but fine.

Grooming - very good from the little I saw. Not as good as Elk (the best IMO) but significantly better than Hunter. Plenty of rr track carving opportunities.

Bumps - the place wasn't near fully open when I went but they still allowed one or two of the DD (take that rating with a grain of salt) to remain bumped up. Seems like a good sign so I'm willing to try it again.

So overall:

Highs - great grooming and they seem to like to let some bump trails form. Less crowded than Hunter or Windham. Very willing to blow snow.

Lows - not the most exciting or challenging place in the world. Trails feel similar and the vert isn't that great when you consider some of the 1,400 claimed is used up by the bottom beginner area and can't be skied all at once.

 

[kingslug]

Bellearye has the best bump runs around. The top is steep,has huge moguls, but is short, and usualy icy. They do not groom the top moguls at all. About half the place has moguls, with easier ones on the lower runs. As far as crowds, not too bad, the lodge gets very crowded at lunch time. Not a bad place to spend a day.

 

[YardSaleDad]

Most runs are fairly straight top to bottom.

Exceptions:
[BLUE] Deer Run, Onodaga, Horseshoe Pass, Roaring Brook.
[2xBlack] Cathedral Brook & The Glen
The last two are the last trails to open and require a .5 mile traverse or snowcat ride.

Crowds - when people say "not crowded" they must be comparing it to Hunter. The one day (ok, that's a very small sample size)

You must have caught a busy day.

Lifts - the longest one on the left side of the map is PAINFULLY slow. One of the slowest lifts I've been on. I hear they're replacing it next year. Others are old but fine.

Lift #7 and the Tomahawk quad are your friends. The only time to take the Super Chief lift is when the Snowcat is running out to Cathedral Brook.

Bumps - the place wasn't near fully open when I went but they still allowed one or two of the DD (take that rating with a grain of salt) to remain bumped up.

At least a dozen trails at Belleayre are bumps now.

some of the 1,400 claimed is used up by the bottom beginner area and can't be skied all at once.

Actually it can be skied top to bottom but then it's a pain to get back up to the top again with multiple lift rides. Only worth it for lunch at the lower lodge or a last run of the day.

 

[loafer89]

Belleayre looked okay from route 28 when we drove past it on our way to Plattekill. Plattekill is in good shape with adequate, if thin in spots conditions. If you do not mind hitting a few rock when skiing the steeper trails than go to Plattekill, otherwise stick with Belleayre. Plattekill had NO moguls today.

There is roughly double the amount of natural snow on the ground at Plattekill than there was at Belleayre.

 

[skidbump]

i have been there thurs and fri...half of the diamonds are bumped... they blew snow on most of the bump runs to the point of being ridiculus...like for 3 to 4 days straight over pres week....got about 5 to 6 inches yesterday...left at 3 had another 3 or 4 over nite...i would go to hunter...heard they have free beer this weekend

 

[goldsbar]

I went to Belleayre on Saturday and I have to say that they made the most of it. Several mogul trails to choose from and great conditions otherwise (3" fresh on top of the groomers). Lift lines were 2 minutes max, sometimes zero so it looks like you're correct Yardsaledad. I just wish this place had a little more mountain. It needs another couple of hundred vertical on the top intermediate/expert half.

I was extremely tempted by Plattekill as I have fond memories of seeing the snow level double once you hit the access road but I wanted to try my new skis (Fischer WC SC's)so I gave it a pass. I also have many not so fond memories of ptex - granted mostly from the tree skiing that I wouldn't be able to resist but occasionally from open trails.