HIGHMOUNT, New York ??” If you’ve been on the fence and not on the slopes, now’s the time to get it going! Every day from January 24 through 28 during Winter Festival Week, lift tickets at Belleayre, New York’s Winter Snow Park, will be $10. Ski or ride Monday-Friday for $50, take advantage of special rate accommodations offered by members of the Belleayre Region Lodging and Tourism Association and celebrate major apres ski as everyone on and off the Mountain throws a party. Here’s the calendar:

Saturday at 4:00, the kick off event will be Friends and Family winter celebration at Belleayre, including performances by members of the spectacular “Cirque du Soleil” troupe and the dynamic Alvin Ailey Hip Hop Dancers. Pizza, pasta and fun rides for the kids on Belleayre’s colossal groomer and a stunning torchlight parade round out the evening. Check out the details at 800-942-6904.

Sunday afternoon bring your ice skates to Margaretville for “Snow Fun in the Park” behind the A&P from noon to 6:00. Free refreshments and wine tasting will be on hand and Ski Plattekill will host Snow Tube rides. The Chamber of Commerce and the Village of Margaretville, community groups and sponsors promise a great time with music by DJ Tito, a bonfire and snow sculptures and much more.

Monday night the Discovery Lodge will be the site of “Taste of the Town” the phenomenal all- you-can-taste party, sponsored this year by the Belleayre Region Lodging and Tourism Association, with 18 of the area’s best restaurants participating. Complete with music, this is a feast you won’t want to miss! Reservations are necessary. $35 per person, $60 a couple. Call 800-431-4555.

On Tuesday, take off your boots, put on your dancing shoes and sashay down to the Pine Hill Community Center where at 4:00 you can warm up with hot chocolate, cider and other goodies. Have dinner in town, visit with local snowmen, vote for your favorite, and then follow the music back to the Center for dancing to live music at 9:00. Call James at 845-254-5469 for details.

Wednesday, January 26 Fleischmanns invites everyone to an after-ski Kids’ Night of crafts and cookie decorating starting at 6:00 in the warm and friendly atmosphere of the historic Skene Library on Main Street. Refreshments will be served. Call 845-254-4884 for more activity information.

Thursday, Andes is on stage with a fabulous fun Night on the Town with winter camping demos, snowmobile demos, store and restaurant specials and an exciting high school basketball game in the Andes CS gym. 845-676-3166 will get you more information.

Phat Friday in Phoenicia sets the stage for “Mardi Gras in the Catskills” Wear masks, beads or funky clothes. You might feel like you’re on the banks of the Bayou (a bit cooler perhaps). Happy hour specials will be offered throughout the town’s drinking and dining spots. Bring the kids for crafts and mask making and other goodies. Shuttle service will pick you up from Woodland Valley Inn. Call 845-688-5711 to find out about music, dancing and more.

Belleayre Coalition’s 19th annual Snowball fund raiser takes place in the Overlook on Saturday night when the Lodge is turned into a phantasmagorical setting for dinner and dancing. This year the Belleayre family will be honoring Senator Jon Bonacic for his enormous contribution as a legislator and good friend to the region. Tickets information is available at 800-431-4555.

Belleayre Mountain will top off this Wonderful Winter Week on Sunday January 30 with a special day of product-sponsored games and contests, thanks to Sitour and Samuel Adams including skiing video and photo ops, so wear your coolest on-the-slope duds and watch your carves and turns. Sam Adams will be offering free tastings to the legal crowd in the lounge with plenty of music and good times.

Ten dollar week and great partying! There’s no better way to close out January. Check out the website: www.belleayre.com or call 800-942-6904 for questions, reservations or any information.