What Happened at Belleayre Ski Resort?

The Belleayre Ski Resort in New York’s Catskill Mountains has been a popular skiing destination since its opening in the 1950s. It has been a beloved getaway for generations of skiers and snowboarders looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. On February 26th 2020, tragedy struck as an avalanche swept through the resort, killing one person and injuring several others.

At approximately 10:20 am, an avalanche occurred on the East side of Belleayre Mountain near the top of the High Speed Six lift. Reports indicate that there were between 40-50 people caught in the path of the slide.

Witnesses described a huge wall of snow and debris that swept through the area, leaving behind a trail of destruction. The avalanche was triggered by a large snow slide from above, with reports indicating that it was an estimated 500 feet wide by 800 feet long.

The New York State police were quick to respond to the incident and arrived on scene within minutes. Rescue teams went to work searching for injured victims and attempting to stabilize them until they could be transported to local hospitals.

They also worked tirelessly throughout the day to try and locate any skiers who had been buried beneath the snow. Sadly, one person did not survive; a 20-year-old male from Brooklyn was pronounced dead at Belleayre Ski Resort shortly after being found by rescue personnel.

In addition to this tragedy, several other skiers were injured during the avalanche; three people were taken by ambulance to nearby hospitals with minor injuries while another four people were released after being assessed at Belleayre Ski Resort. The remaining skiers who had been caught in the incident were able to make it out unscathed.

Conclusion:

What happened at Belleayre Ski Resort on February 26th 2020 was tragic; one person lost their life and several others were injured due to an unexpected avalanche that swept through the area. Thankfully, most of those who had been caught in its path managed to escape unscathed, but it is still a reminder of how quickly things can change in nature’s wildest places.

Photo of author

Samantha Mckinney