Belleayre sits in the western Catskills, roughly two and a half hours from New York City. Mid-Atlantic Masters typically runs both a slalom and giant slalom race at Belleayre on the Dot Nebel trail. Both GS and SL at Belleayre consist of two runs, with a full course reset and second inspection between runs. We try to schedule our Belleayre races immediately after the Lisa Ballard training camp at nearby Hunter Mountain so that a major training event and race are clustered together. Belleayre is one of three New York state-owned mountains, with a race program run by NYSEF (New York Ski Education Foundation).
Last updated: September 2026.
Before you travel: join the Race Day Communications WhatsApp group. Start lists, weather updates and schedule changes are posted there.
Belleayre at a Glance
| Location | Highmount, NY (western Catskills) |
|---|---|
| Drive time | Approx. 2 hr 30 min from NYC |
| Race trail | Dot Nebel |
| Lift spin time | Lift 8 (Hawk Quad), Catskill Thunder Gondola from Discovery Lodge |
| Warm-up trails | Seneca |
| Lift ticket |
Belleayre is part of the Ski3 season pass. It is also a participating mountain for the Snow Triple Play and Snow Play pass products. We include your lift ticket as part of your race entry, but if you have a pass that works at Belleayre (and tell us at registration) we will remove the lift ticket cost from your fee. |
| Also hosts | NYSEF Masters Program (see training opportunities) |
| Nearest towns | Pine Hill, Fleischmanns, Margaretville NY |
Race Day Logistics
| Detailed schedule | We share our race-day schedule in advance in the race day information sheet. This will be available prior to the race on the registration page, and via WhatsApp. |
|---|---|
| Start lists | Shared on WhatsApp. Second run (GS/SL) is reverse order within age class. |
| Registration | Enter in advance on AdminSkiRacing. Entries close roughly two days out; there is no day-of registration. |
The Race Trail
We race on Dot Nebel. The GS starts from the top of Dot Nebel; the slalom starts partway down. Both finish at the timing shack at the end of the trail.
Racing at Belleayre: Common Questions
Which trail do we race?
We race on Dot Nebel.
Do I need a lift ticket?
We price a discounted lift ticket into your race registration fee. If you have a season pass, we will deduct the cost of the lift ticket from your bill.
Where do I warm up, and how long is the lift ride?
We recommend warming up on Seneca, right next to the race trail. In the morning you will need to ride the Discovery Gondola to reach Dot Nebel for course inspection. Between race runs, you can use the Hawk Quad to return to the top of the course.
Where should I stay?
You can often find reasonably priced AirBnBs in Pine Hill, Fleischmanns and Margaretville. Some racers choose to stay at major hotel brands in nearby Kingston or Woodstock.
Where do I find the start list and race schedule?
Start lists are posted on the Race Day Communications WhatsApp group. We share the race schedule on WhatsApp prior
Is this a good venue for a first race?
Yes! If you're a first time Masters racer, we especially recommend signing up for the Lisa Ballard training camp that takes place immediately before the Belleayre races. That will help you get comfortable with racing before jumping in the gates and giving it a go on a course. Even if you don't attend the camp, Belleayre's race hill is a lot of fun and a perfect trail for a new racer to give Masters racing a try.
Can I train at Belleayre outside race weekends?
Yes. NYSEF runs a Masters program at Belleayre. See race training opportunities for more info.
Getting Into Masters Racing
| Adult Ski Racing 101 | What Masters racing is, who can do it and what it costs — the place to start if you have never raced. |
|---|---|
| Getting Started | Licenses, membership and the five steps to entering your first race. Your first race day license is free. |
| Camps & Training | Camps, weekly gate training and beer leagues if you would rather get comfortable in a course first. |
| Equipment | What gear you actually need. Short answer: a helmet, and the skis you already own. |
| All Race Venues | Guides to every mountain where we race, with trails, logistics and travel notes. |
Race with Us at Belleayre
Belleayre dates appear on the season schedule, and entry runs through AdminSkiRacing, closing roughly two days before each event.