Conditions Report
Belleayre Report from Friday, December 12, 2025
It’s the second weekend of December, and although any form of snow has yet to fall on NYC, a quick two-and-a-half-hour drive up to the Catskills transports you to mountains that better reflect what the area typically looks like in mid-February (on a good year) rather than mid-December. So what is going on here? Is Belleayre simply getting blessed by Mother Nature, or is there more happening behind the scenes that we can grow to appreciate?
Belleayre Quick Facts
- Date Opened: 1949
- Ownership: ORDA—Olympic Regional Development Authority (owned by the State of New York)
- Multi-Destination Pass: SKI3 (ORDA ski pass valid at Belleayre, Gore, and Whiteface)
- Number of Trails: 62
- Skiable Acres: 171
- Vertical Drop: 1,404′
- Base Elevation: 2,025′
- Summit Elevation: 3,429′
- Terrain Breakdown:
- Beginner: 22%
- Intermediate: 58%
- Advanced: 20%
- Number of Lifts: 8
- Night Skiing: No
- Other Activities:
- Cross Country Skiing
Let’s talk about the crazy start to the ski season the Northeast has seen so far. While the quantity of snowfall is always what steals the headlines, the more important (but boring) factor at play, especially this far south in this region, is the temperature. The weather throughout the Northeast has been remarkably consistent, with highs failing to rise above freezing for almost two weeks at this point. Not only does this give ample opportunities for snowmaking teams, but it also keeps the natural snow that has been falling in great condition.
This was on perfect display at Belleayre when I visited. There was a tremendous man-made snowmaking base that has allowed the resort to open 80% of its terrain quickly, yet on top of that is fresh, natural snowfall that makes the conditions feel like we are much deeper into winter. It was simply incredible.
Besides the specific conditions I experienced, this was also my first time visiting Belleayre. To be honest, before I visited, I didn’t know much about the place, and didn’t have many preconceived notions about who this ski resort best caters to. After spending the day there, I can confidently say that the mountain exceeded my expectations, offering plenty of entertaining terrain that certainly wasn’t the most challenging, but was unique and top-notch in the scope of a day trip from NYC.
This mountain is ideal for intermediate to advanced skiers, offering plenty of blues and blacks off the top that give skiers loads of choices directly off the summit. While Roaring Brook and Deer Run are both blues at Belleayre, I believe that these two trails at either end of the resort are more comparable to greens at many other resorts, which I actually think is a good thing. With these two “beginner” trails off the top, all levels of skiers can enjoy summit gondola laps. A statement like that can’t be made for many other resorts on the East Coast.
My favorite trail of the day would have to be Roaring Brook. While that may come as a surprise considering I identify as an expert skier, I loved the consistent pitch and width the trail offered, allowing me to really get into a carving rhythm for long stretches down the mountain.
Looking at the 14-day outlook for the region, this remarkable pattern of stable, cool weather, with some occasional flurries, seems to persist through Christmas, with the exception of a bit of rain and above freezing temperatures in a couple days, which should only help ski resorts across the region, including Belleayre, set themselves up for success for the entire season ahead.
If there’s a year for West Coasters to give the East Coast a try just for the fun of it, perhaps this is the year to do it. West Coasters—you’re always invited to come check out the place that makes the best skiers in the country.
Ski Stats
Belleayre Conditions
Belleayre Weather
Belleayre Photos
For more information, check out Belleayre’s website.
