The Dog Days of Summer at Belleayre Mountain

The dog days of summer have slowly rolled their way into the Catskill Mountains. Time seems to blend into itself with one warm, sun-filled day after another, with a deep green canvas undulating up and over the mountains as far as you can see. It is easy to think that this time at a ski area is the quiet offseason, but it has been far from that at Belleayre Mountain in Highmount! The mountain is now 100% open for summer operations, and even with all the hours of daylight at your disposal, it is difficult to pack all of it in one day.

Though the trees and slopes aren’t covered in the wintry white we may be accustomed to, the pastels of colorful wildflowers create scenes that almost seem crafted by a painter, combined with the expansive views that can only be seen from the top of the highest skiable peak in the Catskills. Belleayre’s own Catskill Thunder Gondola whisks riders over 1,400 vertical feet from the base of the Discovery Lodge to the summit and the legendary viewpoints. It’s easy to find a spot to enjoy the view in peace, as the top of the mountain is easy to walk roughly a half mile across from one end to the other. From there, soak in the serenity as you enjoy a mountain top picnic, take some pictures, or just take in the cleanest of mountain air found within two hours of New York City. Scenic Gondola Rides run Friday through Sunday every weekend until September 2, when it switches over to the fall schedule of Saturdays & Sundays only.

Taking the gondola may be the quickest and easiest way to get to the top of Belleayre, but it is far from the only route! In fact, if you go foot-powered you can choose from a selection of hiking trails, starting out on any of the Cross-Country singletrack that twists and turns its way through the deep woods of the lower mountain, and then take open alpine trails such as Deer Run or Discovery Way & Roaring Brook to reach the summit. If you’re extra adventurous, Belleayre’s hiking trails connect to the ever expansive hiking trail network that weaves its way throughout the entire Catskill Park, so everything from a mellow family-friendly walk, or a massive backpacking epic trek is at your fingertips. For the kids, your hiking adventure can be made into a fun game by printing a hiking bingo & scavenger hunt card off of the Belleayre website.

The abundance of sun rays beaming down on the mountain makes for some days where a dip in the water is almost mandatory! Just down the road from the Gondola in the quiet hamlet of Pine Hill lies Belleayre Beach, a local and visitor favorite swimming hole. There, almost every water-themed activity you can think of is at your disposal—of course, you have your classic swimming, complete with a jumping platform. Or, you can cruise on the water with a plethora of kayak rentals, stand-up paddleboards, pedal boats, or get wild & wacky with a water tricycle! In between sessions on the water, guests can use the beach’s volleyball/badminton court, horseshoe pits, or let the kids play on the playground.

Both down at the beach and up on the mountain, it’s more than just an endless list of activities to keep you busy! Almost every weekend is going to be a busy one at Belleayre with scheduled events. The flagship event of the summer is Music on the Belle presented by Belleayre Lodge, back for this summer after meeting resounding critical acclaim, every weekend through July and August. Every Friday evening will be kicked off at the Discovery Lodge with free live music featuring a wide scope of musical acts, bringing a new flavor to the central Catskills each evening. Speaking of flavor, concertgoers and folks passing through alike will be able to take advantage of an entire food truck village next to the Discovery Lodge, corresponding with the Music on the Belle series! Everything from Jamaican to BBQ, to Poke and just good old simple comfort food will be available for browsing and munching each Friday night.

While everything mentioned so far is exciting and invigorating, maybe something more laid back is your style. Belleayre has partnered up with Peace, Love, and Yoga Catskills to bring a weekly mountain top yoga class to the summit Sunset Lodge every Sunday morning through September 29. Take in the breathtaking views as the kind PLaY instructors guide you through immersive meditation and breathwork.

It’s more than birds, insects, and gondolas that take flight in the summer at Belleayre! If you look closely, chances are you’ll see the occasional disc flying through the woods, or wide open ski slopes. Disc Golf is another activity available to guests on the mountain, and it is exactly what it sounds like. Players make their way through a 18-hole course varying in length and elevation, throwing their discs into a basket or “hole” in as few strokes as possible. Unique to Belleayre, the course is split up between a “Lower 9” and “Upper 9.” The Lower 9 begins by the Discovery Lodge, and completes a loop around the lower mountain, ending right back at the base of the Catskill Thunder Gondola. The Upper 9 begins with a signature tee off the summit of the mountain with a fantastic few of the valley below, and some of the Catskill 3500 peaks. From there, the course works its way across the summit ridge to the Sunset Lodge. The course got a total revamp for 2024, with an entirely new layout that better suits both younger players, as well as those who are picking up Disc Golf for the first time. More experienced players will still have plenty of excitement though, as the course does feature the occasional tight wooded fairway, but rewards them with the occasional coveted ace opportunity. The entire course is free to play, though players will need to either purchase a Scenic Gondola Ride to play the Upper 9, or pay in calories by hiking to the summit! Though the mountain doesn’t rent discs, they are available to purchase in the retail store located in the Discovery Lodge.

Inevitably, the warm sunny days do eventually come to a close, and those vibrant colors of fall are sure to eventually come out! Belleayre’s warm-weather operations do continue well into October, culminating in the annual Fall Festival on October 5 & 6, and October 12 & 13. Foliage-filled Scenic Gondola Rides, live music, more local craft and food vendors than you can shake a leaf at, it is a must-hit for anyone heading to the Catskills to celebrate the changing of the seasons.

There is still quite a lot of time left to take in all of the hot summer days at hand, and Belleayre Mountain is the epicenter of New York’s outdoor playground! Visit belleayre.com to start planning your trip today!