Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CATSKILL REGION SKI AREAS TEAM UP FOR A REGIONAL FREQUENT SKIER CARD

Belleayre Making Snow Expecting Early Opening on November 14
November 6, 2009, Highmount, NY – Belleayre Mountain is excited to announce a new promotion that offers skiers and snowboarders a Catskill Region frequent skier card that gives people discounts off of lift tickets at Belleayre, Hunter, Windham, Plattekill and Holiday Mountain. This new promotion was unveiled at a Ski Areas of New York press event in Bryant Park Grill on Wednesday, November 4. The Catskill Association for Tourism Services, in collaboration with the five participating resorts, has launched a new CATS Card offering skiers 20 percent off lift tickets throughout the 2009-10 season. The card will cost $25 and can be used an unlimited number of times at any and all of the five resorts to purchase full-day tickets. The card will be available for purchase starting Dec. 1 online at www.mycatscard.com or by calling (800) NYS-CATS (697-2287). The CATS Card, which will be personalized, must be presented with photo identification at the ski areas to purchase tickets at the discounted rate. The card is not valid on holidays, cannot be combined with other offers and is non-transferable. This promotion is the culmination of efforts started at the end of the last ski season by Ulster County Administrator Mike Hein to bring the regional ski areas to work together to promote skiing and snowboarding in the Catskills which is recognized as a major driver of the local economy. In addition, the Catskill ski areas are again going to partner on a billboard campaign targeting skiers and snowboarders headed north as a means of keeping NY and NJ skiers and riders closer to home.  "Skiers and riders from the metro New York region should realize some of the best skiing in the East is closer than they might think," said Jonathan King, Director of Marketing at Belleayre. "People can be on the slopes in little more than two hours from home and skiing locally cuts down on expenses and travel time spent in a car or on a plane. Belleayre is excited to be partnering with the Catskill region's ski areas to raise awareness and create a buzz about skiing and snowboarding in New York State."

Last night the Belleayre Mountain snowmaking staff reported for the first overnight shifts of the year as the mountain began making snow in preparation for opening 2009-2010 ski season doors on Saturday, November 14th.  The Annual Tap into Winter Party beginning at 1:00pm on Saturday will include highlights such as an open rail jam event, a Winter Apparel Fashion Showcase and an Overlook Lounge Party with entertainment. As usual Belleayre will open for the season with a one day promotional ticket price of $25. Also on sale over the weekend (November 14th and 15th) will be Belleayre’s $99 3-packs, available on-site only at the mountain’s guest services. If all goes according to plan, 2009-2010 may be the earliest opening Belleayre has seen in several years. Be sure to check out the Tap into Winter entertainment line-up and opening day event information on www.belleayre.com.
Belleayre has created a new set of limited time pre-season promotions to get visitors excited for Opening Day anticipated to be November 14, weather permitting. These new offers are available through November 13th and include $99 3-Packs, KidsCamp 6-Packs, and Tour Group 6-Packs. The $99 3-Pack offers customers three anytime lift tickets for only $99, a savings of $63 on three adult lift tickets. The tickets can be purchased online, by phone, or at the Discovery Lodge during business hours; restrictions do apply and ID is required. 3-Packs are limited to one per household and are not available to households that have already purchased one of the 4-Packs for the 2009-2010 Season at the Belleayre Memorial Day Extravaganza or the 2009 Belleayre Fall Festival. Buy your 3 packs online at the Belleayre Store! PLEASE NOTE: THE $99 3- PACK WILL BE AVAILABLE ONSITE-ONLY ON NOVEMBER 14TH AND15TH!

Belleayre Mountain is a year-round outdoor recreation area in the Catskill Mountains operated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

###

Contact:
Jonathan King
Belleayre Mountain Marketing Department
Phone: 845-254-6114
Email: jdking@gw.dec.state.ny.us
Web: http://www.belleayre.com 
Belleayre Phone: 800-942-6904