The Mountains Come Alive this Fall at Belleayre Mountain

If you look closely, the signs have been there. They were gently waving at you as early as July. Keeping an eye on us while we hiked, cruised, swam, and paddled. Largely hidden, their presence can be found among the deep, endless dark green canopy that rolls throughout the Catskill Mountains. As July rolled into August, and finally September, they have now fully made their presence known. The endless rolling hills of green are now speckled with hues of yellow, orange, and red. Fall has crept its way into the Catskills, and it’s a time when the area surrounding Belleayre Mountain in Highmount, NY becomes alive!

While any season is a good time to visit the Catskill High Peaks, many believe that autumn is the best time of year to make the pilgrimage, with a perfect blend of cooler weather ushering in the colorful sights, sounds, and smells that can only be experienced in this time of year.

At the Discovery Lodge at Belleayre, you can effortlessly glide through the fall foliage, a breathtaking panorama unfolds as you ascend your way on a Scenic Gondola Ride to the top of the highest skiable peak just 2.5 hours north of Manhattan. A full kaleidoscope of warm colors coats the summits and valleys below you and over the horizon, while the soft air with a slight chill fills your lungs.

If you want to make those lungs work a little bit harder, you can see the colors change at a more relaxed pace on a hike. Your foot powered adventure is one you can make your own, with roughly eight total miles of trails to choose from. Either fully immerse yourself in the colors on the wooded singletrack that makes up the cross-country trails on the lower mountain, or watch the aspects and hues change gradually as you make your way up the alpine ski trails to an elevation of 3,429 feet … or a combination of both! The journey can be made into an interactive game for kids, with a printable scavenger hunt and hiking bingo card that can be printed off the Belleayre website.

The birds will be flying south, though it will not be just them soaring between the branches and falling leaves. Belleayre’s 18-hole disc golf course remains open through the colorful season with an entirely reworked layout that is much more friendly for beginners, but remaining an exciting technical challenge for a more experienced thrower.

The premier autumn event of the Catskills looms on the horizon: Belleayre’s Fall Festival! Live music will fill the air around the Discovery Lodge the weekends of October 5 & 6, and October 12 & 13 along with a whole tapestry of food, activities, and fun. The lighthearted atmosphere is inviting to soak in the autumn ambiance, as you browse a wide assortment of thoughtful crafts created by local artisans in the area. For a little more excitement, some friendly competition is lined up with stein holding and pie eating contests, as well as a corn hole tournament conducted by Rapid Bag Slayers Cornhole. A small step outside practicality, some hatchet throwing will be set up to test your marksmanship.

Of course, the little ones are not to be left out from the foliage-filled fun! They get their own experience during the festival with fun games, arts and crafts, and more throughout the entire weekend.

Naturally, no festival would be complete without a wide array of food and beverage offerings! For both weekends, an entire food truck village will be on hand, facilitating every kind of flavor from savory, to smoky, to sweet. In conjunction with Belleayre’s Fall Festival will be their Brews & Views, where guests get to sample dozens of locally brewed beers and ciders with a commemorative glass to keep. The harmonious amalgamation of breathtaking scenery, tranquil outdoor adventures, and chipper festivities make Belleayre’s Fall Festival a perfect send-off to the summer season and a welcoming ceremony for the winter ahead.

After the final day of the Fall Festival on October 13, it will seem as though things have quieted down on the mountain, but if anything, it is the opposite as it will be full speed ahead for Belleayre’s winter season. Within a few short weeks of their final Scenic Gondola Rides, there is a very real chance that the snow guns that line the slopes and trails will be firing up for the first time of the 24/25 ski and snowboard season, manned by the finest team of award-winning snowmakers in New York. Their first snowmaking run will be the culmination of a long summer of projects that happened throughout the summer to improve the wintertime guest experience. From an additional 28,600 square feet that has been added on the Discovery Lodge, to the continued improvements the mountain’s snowmaking infrastructure including 30,000 feet of new snowmaking pipe and 20 brand new automated fan guns, and even a brand new novice learning area that will be located at the top with the iconic views, Belleayre continues to solidify its reputation as the premier destination for year-round outdoor recreation.

As the days grow shorter and cooler, Belleayre transforms into your sanctuary. The daily grind fades away as you drive down Route 28, disappearing entirely as you immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of autumn in the Catskills. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, a family getaway, or simply a chance to reconnect with nature, Belleayre offers an unforgettable fall experience in New York. Experience the unique magic that only the central Catskill Mountains can offer.

For a complete list of events, activities, improvements, and mountain updates, visit belleayre.com.