ULSTER COUNTY RELISHES WINTER’S HEAVY SNOWFALL

KINGSTON, N.Y. (Jan. 20, 2011) -- Propelled by 91 inches of snow this season, winter activities are in full swing in Ulster County and area recreational outlets are reaping the benefits.

Belleayre Mountain is reporting more than 69,300 skier visits so far this season, a 14 percent increase over last year. Revenues are up 16 percent.  The Belleayre trail base has between 40 and 70 inches of snow, temperatures are expected to stay in the freezing range through the week and more snow is forecast. Cross-country skiers have a base of 12-18 inches.

“It is so much fun when you get storm after storm,” Belleayre Superintendent Tony Lanza said. “This weather pattern that we’re in is so much fun. The crowds are enormous. With about two storms a week, it’s the ski operator’s dream. Actually, we’ve had only one day of sun since Christmas. We get snow every day. It’s so much easier. The staff just feeds off the energy of the crowds.”

Nina Smiley, Ph.D., director of marketing at the Mohonk Mountain House, said guests have been enjoying ice skating on the rink at the Pavilion and trekking the more than 30 miles of cross-country and snowshoeing trails. Afterward, she said, they are warming up and relaxing at the Mohonk Mountain House’s 39-foot Pavilion fireplace and award-winning spa, where guests renew mind, body and spirit.

Belleayre, located off Route 28 in Highmount, N.Y., is gearing up for a big week. The Belleayre Winter Festival Week opens on Saturday, Jan. 22. The Kids Winter Carnival starts things off from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with fun events on the slope and in the Discovery Lodge. At night, enjoy the Torchlight Parade down the Lower Yahoo Trail.

On Monday, Jan. 24, The Taste of the Town will bring together the finest eateries in the area. The ticketed event starts with margaritas at 6:30 and continues with fiesta-style food, fun and music. Tickets are available at the Overlook Lodge Lodging Info booth or by calling Belleayre at 845-254-5600, ext. 1361. Ticket holders are eligible for door prizes including accommodations, locally produced merchandise and event tickets.

Throughout the week, from Jan. 25 to 28, lift tickets are only $20 (reduced from $35-45) and rentals are only $10. The week concludes with Belleayre’s annual Snowball Dinner and Dance on Jan. 29. Sponsored by the Coalition for Belleayre, the event is an annual fundraiser for the Belleayre Music Conservatory. This year, Kenneth D. Pasternak will be honored for his philanthropic efforts to the community and the conservatory. Tickets are available by contacting Donald Myers at 845-254-5600, ext. 1361.
For more information on Belleayre, call 1-800-942-6904 or visit www.belleayre.com.

Whether it’s downhill skiing on a powdery slope, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing through a trail of snow-covered trees, hiking on an old rail line, skating on a frozen pond or shopping in the quaint communities, Ulster County offers many opportunities for day-trippers and those who want to linger in some snow fun a little longer.

More details about events as well as maps are available at ulstercountyalive.com. Other locations for winter outdoor activities are:
Sawkill Family Ski Center, 167 Hill Road, (off Sawkill and Jockey Hill Road), Kingston N.Y. 12401, 845-336-6977, info@sawkillski.com. Open weekends and holidays for skiing, snow tubing and snowboarding.

Frost Valley YMCA, 2000 Frost Valley Road, Claryville, N.Y. 12725, 845-985-2291, www.FrostValley.org. Groomed, track set and backcountry trails. Open daily with ski rentals on weekends.

Hudson Valley Rail Trail, Hudson Valley Rail Trail Depot, Old New Paltz Road, Highland, N.Y. 12528, 845-691-8151, www.HudsonValleyrailtrail.net.  Five-mile nature trail extends from Mid-Hudson Bridge to Route 299 offering walking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and horseback riding. 

Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Routes 44/55, New Paltz, N.Y. 12561, 845-255-0752. www.nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/127/details.aspx. Winter nature programs, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing with snowshoe rentals. Fees: $7/car; snowshoe rentals $15/person.

Mohonk Mountain House, 1000 Mountain Rest Road, New Paltz, N.Y. 12561, www.mohonk.com. Thirty miles of cross-country trails; ski and snowshoe rentals on premises. Midweek – $18/adults per day; $13/children under 12; Weekends and holidays – $23/adults per day; $18/children under 12. Ski rentals: $20/adults; $14/children. Snowshoe rentals: $16/adults; $12/children. Mohonk Mountain House Ice Skating Pavilion, 800-772-6646; 845-256-2775. An 18,000-square-foot ice rink.

Mohonk Preserve, 3197 Routes 44/55, Gardiner, N.Y. 12525, 845-255-0919, www.mohonkpreserve.org. More than 100 miles of carriage roads and trails for cross-country skiers and snowshoers. Fees: $10/day.

Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, New Paltz, NY 12561, gorailtrail@yahoo.com, www.gorailtrail.org. Twelve-mile path for walking, bicycling, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.  Passes through scenic countryside, historic Huguenot Street area and downtown New Paltz.

Kiwanis Ice Arena, Cantine Veterans Memorial Complex Saugerties, 845-247-2590, kiwanisice@saugerties.ny.us. Fully enclosed refrigerated Olympic-size ice rink facility. 

Moriello Park Ice Rink, Mulberry St., New Paltz 12561, www.townofnewpaltz. Newly opened outdoor ice rink at the town of New Paltz Moriello Pool/Park. Open for hockey: 9-11 a.m., 2-4 p.m. and 7:30-9:30 p.m. Open for skating: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; 4 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Free. Outdoor pond skating and sledding is also available at New Paltz Sports Park (across from the Ulster County Fairgrounds), Libertyville Road, New Paltz.