***Updated as of 01-08-21***
A Christmas morning avalanche caused “significant damage” to the mid-station “Overlook” lodge of New York’s Belleayre Mountain Ski Resort in Highmont, forcing the mountain to close for the day. No one was injured, but several doors and windows were broken.
In excess of six inches of rain and strong winds swept through the Hudson Valley on Thursday night and Friday morning, causing “supersaturated snow from the Yahoo trail” to loosen and slide into the Overlook Lodge, the resort said in a statement. The mountain had been closed since Christmas Eve because of the terrible weather.
“It’s a miracle no one was killed,” said one Belleayre employee as we chatted in passing. “Unbelievable.”
Operated by the Olympic Regional Development Authority, (which also operates Whiteface and Gore), Bellearye reopened on Sunday, and anyone with tickets for Saturday was directed to a customer service form on-line. Â Five trails that were open previously were closed.
We have reached out to Belleayre and ORDA staff and will update as soon as we hear back.
