Belleayre Expansions?

[adamti91]

Does anybody have a definite word on Belleayre's expansion schedule (the state run mountain, not the planned resort). I have heard numerous rumors from people claiming to have heard right from management that there will be a new 6 pack lift running from where 1/2 is now, to over the parking lot and above lift 7 (to the right I'm guessing). I also heard from my friend on the Park Crew and ski team at Belleayre that they are indeed buying Highmount and will begin trail resoration, lift construction, and crossover trail cutting starting within 3 years (I have heard this from 3-4 people too). Anybody know what's really going on?

 

[kingslug]

Been hearing this stuff for a long time. I could probably ask a woman I know who works there.

 

[Bandit2941]

Phase one starts this year, that is the first part of the expansion of the Discovery lodge.

Phase two will be next year, that will complete the expansion of the Discovery lodge and also will have a high speed 6 pack replacing Chairs 1/2 and going up through the parking lot and stop above lift 7.

As far as everything else, I've heard some stuff but its not my place to share here. I believe there will be an announcement on or around may 15th.

 

[Greg]

Ski Area Challenge. We'll try to get them on board this summer.

 

[nycskier]

I totally remember Highmount. I bascially learned to ski there over 25 years ago. When I was a little kid my folks used to take us there. I remember driving up to Belleayre, taking a look at the parking lot and if it was packed we would drive up to an empty Highmount.

Would be great if they were able connect to highmount and re-open it!

 

[ts01]

What's the Highmount area like? From the road it looks like it may be steeper than Belleayre or at least longer sections of steepness than at Belleayre. In which case I'm even happier to see expansion there.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

Only a 1,000 feet of vertical, but definitely more consistent pitch.
http://tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77015

 

[ts01]

Only a 1,000 feet of vertical, but definitely more consistent pitch.
http://tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77015

Cool, thanks for that link. The last picture, looking up from the Friends' Chair Lift, illustrates your point perfectly. A little exploring is definitely on the agenda next time conditions permit.

 

[ajl50]

More on Highmount
http://forums.alpinezone.com/13968-highmout-ski-area.html

[/QUOTE]

 

[millerm277]

That looks to me like, other than the lack of snowmaking, it could be re-opened very easily.

 

[legalskier]

"The plan for the Belleayre Ski Center calls for constructing three new lifts and rehabbing two others, adding 16 new ski trails, building a new lodge and information booth, expanding the Discovery and Sunset Lodges, adding several parking lots, and making improvements to the ski center's snowmaking and other infrastructure."
http://www.watershedpost.com/2013/dec-releases-new-draft-plans-belleayre-resort-and-ski-center

"The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is now accepting public comments on the draft revision of the Belleayre Mountain Ski Center Unit Management Plan and its draft Environmental Impact Statement (UMP/DEIS) as well as the modified Belleayre Resort at Catskill Park Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) for private development by Crossroads Ventures, LLC, the agency announced today. In addition, a Cumulative Impact Analysis and draft permits for the two related projects are also available for public comment through June 24, 2013."
http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/90370.html

To see the plan, scroll down to Exhibit M: http://www.belleayreresort.com/pdfs/AIP 090507- EXHIBITS.pdf
Looks like Highmount will be absorbed into Belle.

 

[180]

Wow!

 

[skiking4]

Holy wow that'd be huge!!

 

[ScottySkis]

Good stuff it migth be hard for me to pass now , I think some trips to Bell once this happens will happen. Hopefully other Catskills hills are allowed to expand to.

 

[dmc]

It's going to be a battle...
But if it's done with a balanced approach - I'm OK with it..
But only if I'm not going to have to pay for it..
And some of the locals are going to fight this to the bitter end.. so...

fasten your seat belts... Should be interesting...

 

[BenedictGomez]

Good stuff it migth be hard for me to pass now , I think some trips to Bell once this happens will happen. Hopefully other Catskills hills are allowed to expand to.

I never skied Highmount, but even with it included (judging from the pictures I see posted here in links) it doesnt seem like it would be better than Plattekill. I'd let other people guinea pig it before me before checking it out, but there's nothing at Belleayre-proper than gets me to spend even 1 ski day per year there, so the Highmount addition would have to at least add 5 or 6 trails that are 100% comparable to Plattekill.

It's going to be a battle...
But if it's done with a balanced approach - I'm OK with it..
But only if I'm not going to have to pay for it..
And some of the locals are going to fight this to the bitter end.. so...

fasten your seat belts... Should be interesting...

Good luck with that!

 

[Mapnut]

That drawing, Exhibit M, is dated 2007. I first saw it some years ago and even have a print of it in my "Ski Area Expansions" file. I'm pretty sure I got the link from this forum.

2nd edit: OK, I think what we want to see is Page 97 of this link:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/permits_ej_operations_pdf/bellump4.pdf

It's still sketchy, and rather screwy if you ask me. It does include Highmount pretty much redeveloped as it was, but it also includes 2 very long lifts that span way too much flats on the lower mountain - like their present HSQ only worse.

 

[legalskier]

And some of the locals are going to fight this to the bitter end.. so...

"When we first proposed the project we received some criticisms from locals before they understood the environmentally responsible way we were going to move the project forward. However now, the opposition has virtually faded away. The overwhelming majority is now in favor of the project. The governor is committed to creating jobs."
http://www.skiesq.com/2012/10/an-interview-with-belleayre-resort-at.html

I would think most locals would welcome it.

 

[dmc]

"When we first proposed the project we received some criticisms from locals before they understood the environmentally responsible way we were going to move the project forward. However now, the opposition has virtually faded away. The overwhelming majority is now in favor of the project. The governor is committed to creating jobs."
http://www.skiesq.com/2012/10/an-interview-with-belleayre-resort-at.html

I would think most locals would welcome it.

I guess we'll see..
The 28 valley folks can get crazed about issues.. The whole Woodstock hippy thing....

 

[ScottySkis]

I guess we'll see..
The 28 valley folks can get crazed about issues.. The whole Woodstock hippy thing....

I need to hangout with these people, I don't see them at Platty.