HIGHMOUNT, New York — Belleayre Mountain will be open for riding and skiing seven days a week for the 2008-2009 season, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced today. Weather and conditions permitting, Belleayre will open the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, Nov. 28, and run through March 2009, operating six lifts and 41 trails and glades.

Located in the heart of the Catskill Mountains in Highmount, NY, Belleayre will offer terrain for all levels of riders and skiers from beginner to expert. All programming will be available, including the popular “Kidscamp,” racing programs, and – new this year — the adaptive ski program. Trained instructors from Belleayre and Helen Hayes Rehabilitation Hospital will provide coaching for the adaptive community.

In response to the state’s fiscal situation, Belleayre is taking a number of steps this season to operate more efficiently while continuing to deliver a world-class regional skiing experience. Two lifts that are adjacent to other, more highly used lifts will be closed, a change that will have only a marginal impact on lift capacity. While snowmaking and grooming on most of the mountain will be unchanged, several of the less frequently used trails will be open on a natural cover basis. Use of the “Half Pipe” terrain also will be weather dependent. In addition, advertising will be reduced, and other operational and administrative efficiencies achieved. These changes will not impact skier safety or any essential operations or maintenance of the ski area.

Most season ticket prices will remain the same as last year. Daily lift tickets will increase slightly to account for higher fuel costs and increases in other operational costs.

DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis thanked Senator John Bonacic and Assemblyman Kevin Cahill for advocating for Belleayre, an important regional resource.

“The communities throughout the Route 28 Corridor have made their voices loud and clear on the importance of the Belleayre Ski Center to the local economy,” Assemblyman Cahill said. “Commissioner Grannis and Governor (David A.) Paterson have demonstrated a keen understanding of the significance of this facility to the region by putting forth a reasonable plan that accounts for the current pressures in the economy as well as destabilizing energy costs. Working closely with DEC to resolve this issue, we prioritized the need for a full season with a diversity of programs at a reasonable price and that is what Commissioner Grannis delivered.”

Season passes, frequent skiers cards and “Belleayre Bucks” are now on sale.

Belleayre’s annual “Job Fair” for seasonal workers is slated for Nov. 8, from noon to 6 p.m. at the Longhouse Lodge. For more information about employment, specific programming and ski season please go to www.belleayre.com.