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Belleayre Gondola Discussion Thread

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Brownski

Re: Belleayre Gondola Discussion Thread

I was at Belle on Sunday. They're definately getting closer. There were some patrollers practicing rope evacuations, another box they have to check before running it I guess. Looks fun.

More important, it appears the new trail and bridge already have snowmaking installed. I could hear the guns roaring up above when I stopped for these pics.

"You want your skis? Go get 'em!" -W. Miller

Harvey

Re: Belleayre Gondola Discussion Thread

Administrator

Brownski wrote

They made a lot of progress on the bridge since we were there on 12/3 and I shot this:

There was a huge drop off, looks like they brought in a lot of fill.

"You just need to go at that shit wide open, hang on, and own it." —Camp

Ethan Snow

Re: Belleayre Gondola Discussion Thread

This post was updated on .

I'm on a first name basis with the guy who built that bridge, and he said he was going to have to adjust the price in order to fill in that drop off, and Belleayre opted to leave it the way it was. I think they filled it in a little, but I hear they're going to make a bunch of snow in there. I have reservations about the height of the the "railings" so to speak on the sides of the bridge. Seems like they should be higher if they want to pile a lot of snow over that bridge.

I'll take boilerplate ice over wet snow any day

Harvey

Re: Belleayre Gondola Discussion Thread

Administrator

I just assumed it was done, Brownski's pic doesn't show it. That will be a steep pitch or take a lot of snow. It does face North I think so maybe that will help.

"You just need to go at that shit wide open, hang on, and own it." —Camp

Ethan Snow

Re: Belleayre Gondola Discussion Thread

Yes, it is done. In the original plans that ramp was supposed to be a lot longer resulting in a shallower pitch, but they ran short on fill. I don't think it will be a major problem. They should be able to fill it with snow pretty easily.

I'll take boilerplate ice over wet snow any day

Brownski

Re: Belleayre Gondola Discussion Thread

Filling in with snowmaking sounds like a boneheaded idea to me. Hopefully that's temporary and they bring in more fill before next year.

"You want your skis? Go get 'em!" -W. Miller

louie.mirags

Re: Belleayre Gondola Discussion Thread

In reply to this post by Benny Profane

Benny Profane wrote

Wow. I was there last week for the first time, and probably, the last time. What the heck, the Maxpass gave me a free ticket , so I checked it out. Yee gads, what an unimaginative ski hill. An ugly place in an ugly setting. And that gondola! Really? I guess that whatever has been said here has been said, so, all I'll say is, thank god I went to Gore the next day and experienced what a well run and managed state owned ski hill can be. Otherwise, it would have been even more of a depressing experience.
Do they actually think that anybody with money is going to buy into that whole village thing? Maybe the Pocono crowd......

Just the week before I was introduced to Catamount for the first time, and was impressed. Now there's an old school eastern hill I could enjoy with a foot of snow on it, and I'll be back, especially midweek, when passes are 20 bucks. The surrounding towns don't constantly remind you of our opioid crisis, either.

ugly place in a ugly setting? Are you sure it wasn't just gloomy out? The area is quite beautiful and the towns around are hipster paradises these days. Plus, it isn't far from everybody's favorite Plattekill. You may just have had a bad day

JasonWx

Re: Belleayre Gondola Discussion Thread

I have to side with Benny on this one..
I have been driving to the Cats to ski for the last 35+ years , I'm 55. To be honest, it hasn't changed much. maybe a few new convenience stores..

"Peace and Love"

Brownski

Re: Belleayre Gondola Discussion Thread

Yeah, I hate to admit it but Benny is definately on to something there. Even though I ski Belle all the time and I think it's an ok family Mountain, I laughed out loud when I read that. When I go to Platty, I actually drive out 17 to Roscoe and snake my way up around Pepacton Reservoir because it's more remote and a lot more pleasant to look at then 28 is. Plus, Roscoe Diner is way better then Phoenicia Diner.

"You want your skis? Go get 'em!" -W. Miller

louie.mirags

Re: Belleayre Gondola Discussion Thread

Brownski wrote

Yeah, I hate to admit it but Benny is definately on to something there. Even though I ski Belle all the time and I think it's an ok family Mountain, I laughed out loud when I read that. When I go to Platty, I actually drive out 17 to Roscoe and snake my way up around Pepacton Reservoir because it's more remote and a lot more pleasant to look at then 28 is. Plus, Roscoe Diner is way better then Phoenicia Diner.

I take that route home occasionally back to Monticello. Either that or Frost Valley Rd. Both nice drives.

sure there is only a few new convenient stores, but that is better than a walmart and new subdivisons. Nice scenery all around there. Tons of state land, hiking trails, trout streams etc From Plattekill to Belleayre to Hunter...

Ethan Snow

Re: Belleayre Gondola Discussion Thread

In reply to this post by louie.mirags

Both very true statements right here!

louie.mirags wrote

Plus, it isn't far from everybody's favorite Plattekill. You may just have had a bad day

Brownski wrote

Plus, Roscoe Diner is way better then Phoenicia Diner.

I think You're onto something Brownski. Roscoe Isn't on the way at all for me, but a day at Plattekill combined with Dinner at Roscoe diner would sure make a great combo!

I'll take boilerplate ice over wet snow any day

Thehof

Re: Belleayre Gondola Discussion Thread

In reply to this post by Brownski

I actually went about 30 mikes out of my way just to meet some friends at the Phoenicia diner before going to Platty yesterday . It’s s tradition I love.On the way home, I did go home through Rosce , which is IMHO
a nicer drive like you said. Just be careful on 17 by Livingston Manor.

"No Falls=No Bslls

snoloco

Re: Belleayre Gondola Discussion Thread

Was there yesterday 12/28. Cabins on and they were running it periodically. They are doing load tests and inspections today and tomorrow. Have a bunch of pics from the past month but not enough time to post them all here.

I've lived in New York my entire life.

snoloco

Re: Belleayre Gondola Discussion Thread

Looks like it opened today. Would've been there if they announced beforehand

I've lived in New York my entire life.

Ethan Snow

Re: Belleayre Gondola Discussion Thread

WTF? No announcement of the gondola's opening? Seems weird

I'll take boilerplate ice over wet snow any day

snoloco

Re: Belleayre Gondola Discussion Thread

Exactly. Nothing beforehand. You knew ORDA marketing was lacking but I didn't think they'd blow off their biggest news in years like that. They could've sold so many tickets if they announced it and did at least some kind of grand opening event.

I've lived in New York my entire life.

raisingarizona

Re: Belleayre Gondola Discussion Thread

Maybe it’s a soft opening and they are planning something for later?

Harvey

Re: Belleayre Gondola Discussion Thread

Administrator

Takes some pressure off for sure.

"You just need to go at that shit wide open, hang on, and own it." —Camp

snoloco

Re: Belleayre Gondola Discussion Thread

Nothing planned for later to my knowledge. Usually they already have an opening announced and then maybe soft open the day before. Mountain Creek did this when they opened the Sojourn lift in 12-13.

I've lived in New York my entire life.

marznc

Re: Belleayre Gondola Discussion Thread

When I asked staff on 12/17 about a guess for when the gondola would be open, no one knew a date but I heard Jan. 1 as a target from more than one person.

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