“We’re still spoiled with last year’s snowfall,” says Jonathan King at Belleayre Mountain Winter Snow Park. “But we’re producing our own snow, and it’s been snowing hard all day.” He said that a week ago, and who knows what the weather forecast will be this weekend. But even if the glades and woods are barren, the trails at Belleayre will be covered in the white stuff and ready for the special Torchlight Parade of 40 to 50 skiers weaving a pattern down the hill through the cold evening air this Saturday, January 21.
Beginning at noon that day, the Kids’ Winter Carnival will be held in the Discovery Lodge, where craft tables will be set up with lots of fun things to do for children up to 12 years old. Whole families can enjoy the carnival atmosphere indoors with games, popcorn, balloons and music. Outside, kids can play in a snow obstacle course and then come back inside for a pizza party from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. All Kids’ Winter Carnival activities are free of charge.
The Kids’ Winter Carnival is an annual event that kicks off Winter Festival Week, when lift tickets are traditionally offered at a special discounted price. The week is packed with special events like the Coalition Cup Race on Sunday, January 22, the Red Barn Bar Country Hoedown on Friday, January 27 and the Snowball Dinner & Dance on Saturday, January 28.
With the only Catskills Cat-access skiing and snowboarding, plus the Area 51 terrain park, two progression parks, mogul trails ranging from intermediate to expert bumps and extensive glade skiing, Belleayre Mountain, just a short drive up Route 28 from Kingston, is a center for winter sports in the region. Belleayre is owned and operated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. For general information and ski conditions, call (845) 254-5600 or visit www.belleayre.com.
