Speculation: Could the Catskills Support Another Ski Area?

ADKskier

rgrwilco;c-62989 wrote
ADKskier;c-62985 wrote[

What do Vajtays have planned?
A pretty sizable expansion which would bring the vert to around 1500 feet. I can’t remember the specifics.

I would love to see what they have planned. Platte sits in a natural bowl and at high elevation. Be a good spot for an expansion. Especially now with Windham catering to the fancy crowd. Hunter is already overcrowded, and Bell just can’t seem to pull visits no matter what the ORDA throws at it.

JMaul

ADKskier;c-62985 wrote
What do Vajtays have planned?

From what I remember, it was to purchase the adjacent property/farm to the south. It would create a much better base area and learning environment with regards to topography.
(Note that the topo map I posted does not accurately reflect the existing trails, they go higher up the hill)

Harvey

Bobcat, the current owners wouldn't do it, and they don't seem to want to sell.

I have a Hickory Pass for this year, LMK when opening day is.

Plattekill expansion has been a dream for a long time. (Potential) buyer and seller are a long way apart on price. Also looks like Overlook is out of bounds!

The comment on the original post about "being NY"... is NY considered off limits in this forum?

Harvey

JMaul;c-63042 wrote

These are most helpful. Mind if I use them? Would credit if you like.

ski_it

Harvey;c-63043 wroteThe comment on the original post about "being NY"... is NY considered off limits in this forum?

Nah. Some people won’t include them in summary lists but that’s about it.

ADKskier

I always talk about “Upstate Mid Atlantic New York” 😂

ADKskier

What ever happened with bear pen and Russ?

ciscokid

ADKskier;c-63053 wroteWhat ever happened with bear pen and Russ?

Emailed Russ couple months back, doing well.

Nice little father/ daughter operation at bottom of Bearpen mountain.( would love to see a cross country ski report from someone)

https://www.bearpenmountain.com/

A person can still hike or take snowmobile to top of Bearpen mtn and ski the glades down. ( don’t know how grown in the mountain is now)
Russ took me down one of the former rope tow lines on an atv back in 2015 and it was smooth as silk.

As far as NY being “off limits “ , heck one of our “founding fathers “ NELSAP JD lives in NY and is a great Gore reporter ( amongst many others)
There’s a ton of fine folk from NY on this forum, like ski_it says sometimes summaries can exclude anything outside New England. Heck they’ve allowed this old midwest hack on here since ‘06!

rickbolger

New York is wonderful! My only beef is the New Yorkers who clog the left lane on the Thruway

Brklynskier

Harvey;c-63043 wrote
Also looks like Overlook is out of bounds!

Please explain.

z1000307470

Brklynskier;c-63056 wrote
Harvey;c-63043 wrote
Also looks like Overlook is out of bounds!
Please explain.

The red property line looks like it crosses Overlook. It is probably not actually over a real survey line.

curlyfuzzie

Brklynskier;d-4137 wrote
Caveats: Highmont doesn' t count.

Why? I've heard rumors for years that a Belleayre/Highmont connection was feasible. I still remember years ago driving up a little further from Belleayre and peeking into the windows of Highmont's former ski rental shop where all of the skis were still hanging as if ready to go.

curlyfuzzie

BTW, the former Scotch Valley/Deer Run used to be a family favorite back when we were in the Cobleskill area. It is now owned by a Hasidic Jewish kids camp (ala "Kars for Kids"). I still miss the double/double and the bowling alley in the lodge.

JMaul

Harvey;c-63044 wrote
JMaul;c-63042 wrote

These are most helpful. Mind if I use them? Would credit if you like.

All public sourced, no need for credit

ThatNYguy

I will chime in on this topic.... In the Catskills, the only place to build is Bearpen. Building there is still possible but not as I had envisioned it. The current owner of the minor operation on lower mountain, some time ago bought the two grand acre lots above him from Dr. Lane and has been sitting on it since. The adjoining property to the north (the original ski area) is NYS land. NYS will allow the cutting of trails on this property but no snowmaking infrastructure or lifts. In other words, natural snow (which Bearpen is blessed with) which is easily accessible from a summit lift on the privately owned land.
Plattekill could do the same thing but the natural summit (NYS land) is above the private land (the existing ski area). This means climbing or snocat or snowmobile to get to it.

The biggest problem which existed when I attempted to get Bearpen going and still is..... MONEY, crazy MONEY.

There is a privately owned property just off the north end of the Bearpen ridge which could create a nice ski area. It is easily accessible off route 23 and a nice size existing pond at its base for snowmaking which would be difficult to empty.

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY

ADKskier

curlyfuzzie;c-63090 wrote
Brklynskier;d-4137 wrote
Caveats: Highmont doesn' t count.
Why? I've heard rumors for years that a Belleayre/Highmont connection was feasible. I still remember years ago driving up a little further from Belleayre and peeking into the windows of Highmont's former ski rental shop where all of the skis were still hanging as if ready to go.

Highmount is included in future expansion plans for the Bellearye UMP. Who knows when/if the ORDA will ever get the money to do that but I am assuming at some point it will happen.

FlyingZ

It is a shame Bobcat is still just sitting there, with the trails pretty much intact. A new cell tower has recently been put in at the summit with a new access road that cuts across the upper trails.

ADKskier

lotsoskiing

ADKskier;c-63111 wrote

That would be cool

curlyfuzzie

ADKSkier,That "Management Plan Amendment" is very interesting... only from 2021? I'd love to see that happen.

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