Belleayre is a gem. Always has been. People loved it from its very beginning and would even pitch tents outside its rustic dirt floor lodge, just to be at the front of the line for tickets in the morning.  

Nestled deep in the Catskills in a peaceful setting, it’s also easily accessible. Naturally gifted with an abundance of steep terrain, its picturesque slopes even include the highest skiable peak in all the Catskills. At the same time, however, it’s also famous as a place to learn to ski and ride. In fact, SKI Magazine labeled it, “the best place to learn to ski in the East.”  

Back in the post-World War II era when Belleayre was just getting its start, skiing was just beginning its rise in popularity. Though not the first ski area in New York State, Belleayre opened in the winter of 1950 with the State’s first rope tow as well as its first chair lift (a single). Both were installed along with a temporary base lodge, a cafeteria, and a parking lot for 300 vehicles at the end of a mile of access road. 

Bellearye’s popularity soared in those initial years, and in each succeeding decade, its trails and amenities were refined. In fact, twelve new trails, three new lifts, and a new base lodge were all added in the 1950s. The 1960s and 1970s brought additional expansions and improvements, including the first snowmaking systems.  

Improvements continued into the 1980s, and with the support of both skiers and state government, a detailed plan was created, calling for additional upgrades to snowmaking and trails. Later, Belleayre Beach opened in 1992 along with an expansion of the Lower Lodge and a new lounge in the Overlook Lodge. The early 2000s saw upgrades and replacements of lifts, and in 2012, Belleayre was designated as part of the Olympic Regional Development Authority.  

Just five years later, the Catskill Thunder Gondola opened, the only gondola in the Catskill Mountains back then and even yet today, a change that brought wide ranging new possibilities, including the resort’s continued evolution as an all-season recreation area. Today, with eight lifts serving 64 trails, parks, and glades, Belleayre is an ideal destination for families as well as seasoned skiers and riders. 

Off-snow, an array of recreational activities are available through the summer and fall, with a full-service beach, scenic gondola rides, and exceptional hiking trails for all abilities. Belleayre also hosts fun summer events at the beach, at its base lodge, and at the summit, too. Additionally, prioritizing attention to and investments in the sustainability of all facets of its operations means Belleayre is leading by example and educating guests while also serving as a strong advocate for climate protection. 

As a result of these many decades of improvements, Belleayre’s visitors have grown from 70,000 in 1995 to more than 175,000 skiers and snowboarders today, making it the region’s largest economic driver and creating innumerable positive impacts on local communities.   

Since its opening, Belleayre’s ongoing development has produced endless opportunities for a wide variety of outdoor recreation and events for people of all ages and abilities. It’s become an enduringly popular place, where countless lasting memories are made among its throngs of skiers, riders and summertime visitors.  

In this 2025 winter season, the entire Belleayre community – its employees, area businesses and residents, and its many visitors – celebrate 75 wonderful years of memories, milestones, and unique Belleayre Mountain magic with many decades more ahead.