Belleayre Mountain Ski Area

Ski Area

The Belleayre Mountain Ski Center (Belleayre Mountain Rd. off Rte. 28, Highmount. 845/254-5600 or 800/942-6904. www.belleayre.com), in the Catskill Forest Preserve, has one section for expert skiers and another for intermediates and novices. Of the 38 trails that vein the peak's 171 acres of skiable terrain, 22% are for beginners and 58% are for intermediate skiers; the vertical drop is 1,404 feet. The resort, owned by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, has 96% snowmaking capability, eight lifts, and more than 5 mi of cross-country trails. Families appreciate the laid-back atmosphere, while serious skiers seek out the great snow, grooming, and single- and double-black-diamond trails. Skiing and snowboarding instruction and rentals are available. Full-day peak-season lift tickets are $42. A shuttle transports skiers to and from nearby villages. From late April through October, the upper, lower, and cross-country areas offer biking tracks for beginners to experts; lifts aren't equipped for bikes, so you have to ride in both directions. From Memorial Day through Labor Day you may also swim, boat, and fish at Pine Hill Lake ($6 per car), where pedal boats, rowboats, and kayaks are for rent. A lift ($8 per person) takes you to the summit, from which you can hike or ride the lift back down. Belleayre hosts crafts, music, and other festivals, too.

More Sports and Outdoors

• Biking
• Canoeing and Kayaking
• Fishing
• Golf

• Hiking
• Ski Area
• Skiing