Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the state will invest an additional $8 million for upgrades at Belleayre Ski Center in Highmount to attract more visitors and build on the Catskill Region’s burgeoning tourism industry. The investment will enhance the current facilities at Belleayre Mountain with the installation of a new, high-speed gondola, multiple lodge expansions and the addition of modern amenities for both lodges at the resort. The project will increase visitation, enhance customer experience and provide a major boost to tourism in the Catskills and the region's economy.

“Belleayre Mountain is one of the crown jewels of the Catskills and a major driver of the region’s tourism economy,” Governor Cuomo said. “With this investment, we are supporting vital upgrades at this mountain to ensure it remains an unparalleled year-round recreation destination and continues to leverage economic growth for the entire region for generations to come.”

“This plan will overhaul the Belleayre Ski Resort to address areas of need, increase visitation and overall enhance customer satisfaction,” said ORDA President & CEO Ted Blazer. “The additions of the new gondola, and modern day lodge amenities at Belleayre will attract new skiers and riders and encourage them to stay in the New York area for their resort experience. I would like to thank the Governor for his continued commitment to not only Belleayre, but to the Catskill Region.”

The FY 2018 Executive Budget includes $12.5 million for Olympic Regional Development Authority facilities, which includes Belleayre, Whiteface and Gore Mountains, as well as Olympic facilities. Last month, the Governor announced an additional $20 million to upgrade the facilities at Whiteface and Gore Mountains in the North Country and build on the region’s burgeoning tourism industry. These new capital investments are being added to the Executive Budget as part of the 30-day amendments, submitted today.

New High-Speed Gondola
Upgrades at Belleayre Mountain include the construction of a high-speed, eight-person gondola that will span from the lower mountain Discovery Lodge to the mountain summit, providing more efficient, logical, and necessary access point to skiers and riders. The installation of this lift, along with other proposed changes, would overhaul the entire facility and elevate Belleayre to a higher level of resort experience.  The new gondola will include 65 cabins that will transport guests to the summit in under six minutes, massively increasing the skier capacity of the mountain and providing for a better ski experience. The Gondola would also provide additional revenue opportunities as the use of indoor cabins allows for the following offerings:

• Nordic and Cross Country skiing at the expansive summit of the mountain;
• Year-round scenic gondola rides as sold at Whiteface & Gore Mountains;
• Mountain biking from the mountain summit; and
• Wedding and private party rentals at mountain summit.

Belleayre Lodge Improvements
The mountain has two primary lodges, the Discovery Lodge at the lower base area lodge that services beginner terrain and rental facilities, and the Overlook Lodge, which accesses the upper mountain offerings and handles the majority of food and beverage offerings. With the addition of a Gondola, expanding lodge offerings is critical to sustaining the additional guest base expected as a result. The state will provide $1.5 million for upgrades at each of the lodges.

• Discovery Lodge Improvements: The Discovery Lodge at Belleayre contains a children’s learning area, ski school areas, cafeteria, bathrooms, and a small bar/café. Improvements to the Discovery Lodge will increase its current seating capacity, retail space, increased food/beverage locations, and addition of office space. This would provide enough space to have a fully functioning learning area for all ages with the necessary amenities to service these guests as needed including bar and restaurant style offerings.
• Overlook Lodge Improvements: The Overlook Lodge currently provides guest access and gathering at the lift points reaching upper mountain, and contains a cafeteria area as well as a bar and restaurant with an attached deck.  Improvements in this area will expand increase seating capacity, storage and locker areas, daycare facilities, and expansion of food and beverage offerings.

Improvements at Belleayre Mountain will support the facility’s role as a major driver of the Catskill Region’s tourism industry and will ultimately expand economic growth and investment opportunities for the surrounding communities. It will also make unparalleled skiing and winter recreation opportunities more accessible to visitors from New York City and downstate regions closer than other skiing locations throughout the northeast.
 
Tourism in the Catskill Region
Since taking office, the Governor has worked to grow New York’s tourism industry in the Catskills region. Last year, the Governor hosted the Catskills Summer Challenge to highlight the world-class attractions and activities readily available in the Catskills with the goal of driving tourism and boosting the region’s economy.
 
In 2015, the total economic impact of tourism industry in the region reached $1.83 billion, an increase of more than 13 percent since 2010. Visitation is up 14 percent since 2010 with more than 11 million visitors to the Catskills in 2015. In addition, tourism is vital to the region’s economy, representing more than 15 percent of the region’s employment, or over 17,000 jobs.
 
The investment at Belleayre Mountain builds on the Governor’s accomplishments that are already setting the stage for future growth in the Catskills region, including:
 

• Over $5.4 million invested in the Catskills region by DEC to improve fishing access, hiking trails, campgrounds and infrastructure;
• The Maurice D. Hinchey Catskill Interpretive Center, a $1.3 million project supported by New York Works, which was completed in 2015 and provides information to visitors about the 700,000–acre Catskill Park;
• Improvements to enhance the experience of visitors and increase public safety, including an observation platform, completed at Kaaterskill Falls; and
• The I LOVE NEW YORK Bus hosts regular ski trips from Manhattan to Catskills’ slopes, including Hunter Mountain and Belleayre, to drive tourism Upstate.

-- ORDA --

Established in 1982, the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) was created by the State of New York to manage the facilities used during the 1980 Olympic Winter Games at Lake Placid. ORDA operates Whiteface, Belleayre and Gore Mountain ski areas; the Olympic Sports Complex at Mt. Van Hoevenberg; the Olympic speed skating oval, Olympic jumping complex and Olympic arena. As host to international and national championships, the Authority has brought millions of athletes, spectator and participants to the region, resulting in significant economic development.