Belleayre Mountain Ski Center, Highmount, NY

Belleayre Mountain Ski Center is off State Route 28 in Highmount, NY. The area was declared a wild area in 1885 by the New York State Forest Service. Early skiers didn't have any lifts so they would side step their way up the mountain. It wasn't until 1947 that bills were introduced for New York State to create Belleayre Mountain as a ski center. Construction started in 1949 and opened with five trails, an electric rope tow, a summit lodge, New York's first chair lift and a temporary base lodge. This lodge had a dirt floor and cafeteria and a place for three hundred cars to park.

There are forty seven trails, parks and glades to ski on at Belleayre Mountain Ski Center today. There are eight lifts including a High Speed Quad, a half pipe and Area 51 Terrain Park for snowboarders. The mountain is open seven days a week from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and the lifts operate from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Lift tickets vary depending on the time of year visitors ski. A full day lift ticket for adults during a Holiday weekend would be adults (18-61) $54.00, college students $44.00, juniors (13-17) $44.00, youth (6-12) $38.00, toddler (5 and under) $11.00, seniors (62-69) $44.00 and skiers 70+ ski free. A mid week Holiday rate for adults is $45.00, college students $40.00, juniors $40.00, youth $35.00, toddler $11.00 and seniors $40.00. Half day rates are from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm and are $44/$36, college students $39/$35, juniors $39/$35, youth $32/$28, toddler $11/$11 and seniors $39/$35for weekend or midweek. Skiers over 70 are always free. There are discounts for two day lift tickets.

The Snowsports School has many different lessons that they offer. The Learning Circle for First Timers is for snowboarders and can be purchased at Discovery Lodge for only fifteen dollars with the purchase of a lift ticket. They take ages 8 to adult and they meet continuously from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm for un-timed lessons or during the mid-week at 10:00 am, 11:30 am and 1:00 pm for an hour lesson. Just for Kids teaches children 5-7 how to ski for an hour's lessons, parents must participate and the cost is $12.00. The lesson begins at 11:00 am or 1:00 pm.

Group Clinics are for more advanced skiers so that they can go on the upper mountain. The cost is $30.00 for skiers and riders and is for ages 8 to adult. The lessons begin at 10:00 am, 11:30 am, and 1: pm on weekends, mid-week and holidays and last one hour. Private Clinics are one on one sessions and are available for all levels of skier. Lessons of this type are purchased at Overlook Lodge and cost $65.00 for one hour with additional hours for only $30.00. The lessons are every hour beginning at 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. A Kids Camp is a full day of instruction for children ages 4-12 for skiing and 7-12 for snowboarding. This program is offered on weekends and holidays and it includes: 4 hours of lessons, rentals, supervision and lunch which is optional.