"It's the second weekend of December, and although any form of snow has yet to fall on NYC, a quick two-and-a-half-hour drive up to the Catskills transports you to mountains that better reflect what the area typically looks like in mid-February (on a good year) rather than mid-December. So what is going on here? Is Belleayre simply getting blessed by Mother Nature, or is there more happening behind the scenes that we can grow to appreciate?"
"While the quantity of snowfall is always what steals the headlines, the more important (but boring) factor at play, especially this far south in this region, is the temperature. The weather throughout the Northeast has been remarkably consistent, with highs failing to rise above freezing for almost two weeks at this point. Not only does this give ample opportunities for snowmaking teams, but it also keeps the natural snow that has been falling in great condition."
Belleayre Mountain in the Catskills sits about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from New York City, with a summit elevation of 3,429′ and a 1,404′ vertical drop. The state-owned ORDA resort opened in 1949 and features 62 trails across 171 skiable acres, served by eight lifts; terrain is roughly 22% beginner, 58% intermediate, and 20% advanced. Prolonged subfreezing temperatures have enabled extensive snowmaking while preserving recent natural snowfall. A substantial man-made base allowed rapid opening of about 80% of terrain, and fresh natural snow has enhanced conditions to feel like a deeper winter.
Read at SnowBrains
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