Improvements

Planning for the Future
Our Continued Investment in Guest Experience

At Belleayre, we believe a mountain getaway is about more than great snow, it is about creating unforgettable moments from the time you arrive until your last run of the day. We’re excited to share the improvements underway that will make your time here even more comfortable, exciting, and memorable.

Overlook Lodge Renovation & Restoration

Originally built back in the 1950’s, Overlook Lodge has been there throughout the eras, watching entire generations grow up within its walls. It is now in the final stages of a critical process of restoration and renovation, preserving its history and rustic charm while bringing it up to speed and introducing modern comforts to you.

Highlights include:

  • Entryway & Architecture – A welcoming covered entry, natural light from high dormers, and a fully opened interior showcasing stunning log trusses.
  • Fireplaces & Flooring – Restored blue stone flooring and upgraded fireplaces with energy-efficient inserts.
  • Accessibility – New main-level restrooms and an elevator for easier access.
  • Lower Level – Expanded seating, floor-to-ceiling mountain views, a modernized cafeteria, upgraded restrooms, and a state-of-the-art HVAC system.

The Overlook Lodge renovation and restoration began in March 2025, and crews have been working tirelessly to bring this transformation to life! It is an incredibly involved process to ensure the preservation of the building’s original charm and feel, while bringing it up to speed for the needs of those who make Belleayre their wintry home today.

Other Mountain Improvements

Belleayre is also investing in upgrades across the mountain to enhance snow quality, sustainability, and convenience:

  • Snowmaking: 5 shiny new HKD fan guns have been delivered to Belleayre, and are sitting in their new home on Lower Yahoo! It is a major improvement to snowmaking capabilities as the fan guns are capable of covering massively more terrain with snow in the same amount of time as traditional snow guns. In addition, 64 tower and sled HKD Low-Energy fan guns have been added to the fleet, adding to our firepower.
  • Lifts: We’re saying so long to the old, and in with the new! The Little Creek Carpet has served us loyally for many years, and it’s time it got an upgrade of its’ own. For winter 26/27, our primary lift for budding skiers and snowboarders is both getting lengthened to 175 feet, and covered as a completely new SunKid Carpet Lift!
  • Grooming: Two new snow cats join the herd! A Pistenbully 400 and big brother 600 are now in our barracks nice and cozy, ready to sculpt Belleayre’s premier snow into carvable art when the flakes start flying again.
  • Discovery Lodge: Our retail store got an upgrade, with it being expanded outward by 6ft, opening up the space and creating a more relaxed environment.
  • Sustainability: Our outdoor furniture got a bit of a glow-up this summer. At the Discovery Lodge, our furniture on the patio has certainly been used well, and had the scars to show for it. It has since been replaced by more heavy-duty picnic tables made out of recycled plastic, with some purpose-built to be ADA compliant! These benches will be located both at the Discovery Lodge, and restored Overlook Lodge.

Belleayre is proud to keep investing in the guest experience. From expanded lodges and modernized facilities to snowmaking, grooming, and sustainable practices, these improvements are all about making your time on the mountain more memorable than ever.

 

Past Mountain Improvements

2025-2026 An Investment in the Guest Experience – The completion of the Discovery Lodge expansion. Belleayre’s base lodge received an additional 28,000 square feet of floor space with a reimagined marketplace, seating capacity that doubled in size, and new, permanent rental center with a state-of-the-art Wintersteiger Jupiter machine in the tune shop.

2024-2025 Continued Investments in Snowmaking – The addition of 20 full automated SMI Polecat fan guns were added to the Dot Nebel Trail.  30,000 feet of snowmaking pipe replacement.

2024-2025 A Reimaged Learning Experience – A new novice learning area was added to the summit of the mountain featuring a wide open space and and new carpet surface lift.

2023-2024 New Trail – The Goat Path trail was modified and expanded, allowing for a new intermediate trail off the summit.

2023-2024 Lift Upgrades – Replacement of the Triple Chair #7 lift with a new Quad Chair Lift.  This project also called for a skier bridge over the Overlook Lodge parking lot to provide skiers descending multiple trails easy access to the relocated loading area of the new lift.

2023-2024 Snowmaking – The addition of 250 HKD Impulse R5 tower guns, 5 SMI Super Polecat fan guns, and 27,000 feet of snowmaking pipe.

2022-2023 Snowmaking Upgrades – We added 300 HKD lower-engergy snow guns, 60,000 feet of new pipe, and a new energy-efficient pump in the pumphouse.

2021-2022 Snowmaking Pumphouse & Pipe – A state-of-the-art pumphouse was built and is the home of all of our electric compressors and 4 pumps.

2021 – 2022 Snowguns – 235 HKD Impulse R5 tower guns were installed, replacing old high-energy guns.  These guns allow us to make snow with minimal air consumption to better utilize our water pumping capabilities.

2021-2022 Snowmaking Pipe – 13,000′ of snowmaking pipe was installed across the mountain.  12″ feeds were installed from the new pumphouse to the top of Dot Nebel, across the summit to Roaring Brook.  The pipe will allow the mountain to pump water up the mountain using two main lines and will down feed to the individual trail lines increasing efficiency and allowing the mountain to utilize more out on the hill.

2020-2021 Snowmaking Upgrades – New pumps and a new compressor were added to the snowmaking infrastructure.  The pumps will boost pressure within the system allowing for increased snowmaking capacity and expanded water delivery. An energy efficient compressor is also being added to the system. Replacing old diesel units, the new compressor will help improve coverage.

2020-2021 Phase 2 of the Discovery Lodge renovations – An additional 2,700 square feet of indoor space has been added to the 3rd floor and is available for private group functions as well as daily use for all guests.  The additional indoor area incorporates large windows that overlook the main floor. This allows for natural light and adds to the aesthetics.

2019-2020 Discovery Lodge Modernization & Renovations – The project continues New York’s investment in the Highmount ski area, designed to increase year-round visitation, enhance customer experience and be a catalyst for the tourism industry in the Catskill region. Alleviating long lines and overcrowded spaces, the improvements will increase the seating capacity in the cafeteria and lounge areas and will add restrooms conveniently located at the main level of the lodge. The children’s programmatic space for families will be expanded and modernized. A new patio area will be added along with a new outdoor ticketing area.

2019-2020 Lightning Quad Lift – The Lightning Quad replaced the former double Lifts #1 and #2 in the beginner area. This state of the art lift has a conveyor entrance. The loading gates and the conveyor are timed with the chair interval to make for an easier loading process and allowing for the maximum loading capacity.

2018-2019 Bigger & Better Terrain Parks – Area 51 and Area 15 will be getting some TLC this winter. That’s right, the terrain parks will be getting some new jumps, ramps, boxes, rails, pipes, and other features for you to explore. The new features will surely keep you jibbing and jumping throughout the season.

2018-2019 Snowmaking – The snowmaking team is just as busy during the warmer months as they are when they are out making snow. They are hard at work adding to our existing snowmaking capabilities with the addition of 50 low energy tower snowguns to the fleet and 4 new 1500 cfm compressors. These new additions will help with snowmaking efficiency, which means we will be able to make more snow with fewer resources.

2018-2019 Kidscamp Area – The trail maintenance crews are making the Kidscamp Learning Area bigger & better. Trees have been removed between Lifts #1 & 2 and the kidscamp park, the magic carpet will be replaced with a longer 220′ magic carpet, and the entrance to the area will be regraded making it easier to access the available terrain. The newly expanded area will be more efficient for teaching and fun on the snow for all those who participate!

2018-2019 Medical Building – A new state of the art ski patrol building will be constructed in the lower area next to the Teepee Flats teaching area. The main floor will include a trauma room, waiting area with a nurse’s station, and additional bed space for patients. The building will also contain a locker room and storage for much-needed supplies.

2018-2019 Overlook Lodge Deck/Locker Room – Ongoing Overlook Lodge renovations are continuing. The deck will be replaced for our guests to enjoy during the winter and can be used for weddings & special events during the summer & fall months. The locker room will also be expanded allowing for extra storage and season-long rentals.

2018-2019 NYSEF Extends Programming to Belleayre – The New York Ski Educational Foundation (NYSEF) is excited to announce its growing partnership with the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) by offering competitive alpine and freeride programming at Belleayre.

2018-2019 Aqua Trikes at the Belleayre Beach – Fun at the Belleayre Beach has just gotten more enjoyable with the addition of two NEW Aqua Trikes! Anyone in the family can just hop on a trike and pedal out into the water for a unique experience at the lake. The trikes are a great addition to the facility and a big hit with everyone, especially with the kiddos. The Beach is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

2017-2018 Catskill Thunder Gondola – “Catskill Thunder” will be comprised of 60 cabins that will transport up to 8 adult guests per cabin at a maximum speed of 1000 feet per minute. Patrons will be able to load the lift just above the Discovery Lodge and ride it to the peak of the mountain just towards the east side of the Tomahawk Lift. This project is slated to be completed by December of 2017. It will also allow for future cross-country skiing across the summit, year-round scenic rides, lift-serviced mountain biking, and wedding and party rentals at the summit.

2015-2016 Dreamcatcher Glade – The addition of the Dreamcatcher Glade was a huge hit with skiers and snowboarders. We are going to continue our efforts in widening and clearing out the glade this summer. The Dreamcatcher glade was added to the west side of the mountain, right off of the Deer Run trail. The trail was cleared out and in early November and was opened to the public on February 11, 2015. This new trail was a great addition to the mountain and showcased the variety of terrain that Belleayre has to offer.

Catskill Thunder Fun Facts

  • Number of man-hours to install gondola: Over 5,500
  • Total number of cabins: 60
  • Spliced length of cabling: 13067.09 ft
  • Top speed: 1,000 ft per minute
  • Uphill capacity: 2,000 people per hour
  • Number of tons of concrete pour for both top & bottom terminals: 200 tons each/400 tons total
  • Number of towers installed: 16
  • Tallest tower: 58 ft
  • Date construction began: July 1, 2017.
  • Bull wheel size: Drive (bottom) 15.75 ft and the Return (top) 17.06 ft.
  • Motor size: 600hp electric primary, a 600hp diesel auxiliary & a 130hp tertiary diesel engine