From Ski Boots to Hiking Boots: Belleayre's Final Weekend & Why April Is the Catskills' Best Kept Secret
By Daniel & The Crew | Alpine Four Season Lodge | Catskills, NY
Most people pack up the Catskills after Presidents' Week. The ones who come back in April? They never stop talking about it.
There's a particular kind of magic that happens up here every April. Snow still clings to the upper mountain, trails are waking up, waterfalls are absolutely roaring, and most people have already written off the region until summer. That's exactly why you should be here right now, fewer crowds, lower rates, and the landscape doing something genuinely stunning.
This weekend, Belleayre Mountain closes out its 2025/26 ski season. April 10 through 12 are the final days on the mountain. If you haven't made it up this winter, this is your last call. And if you have — one more run never hurt anyone.
But here's what most people miss: closing weekend at Belleayre isn't an ending. It's a handoff.
The last run down the mountain on Sunday is the first step into one of the best months the Catskills has to offer.
The Mountain Isn't Done With You Yet
Belleayre sits at 3,429 feet in the heart of Catskill Park, and in April the trails surrounding it come alive. Snowmelt feeds every creek and stream in the region, sending waterfalls over cliffs at full force. Kaaterskill Falls , New York State's highest cascading waterfall, is at its absolute peak this month. If you're searching for cabin rentals near Belleayre Mountain with easy trail access, you've found your spot.
Swap the ski boots for trail runners and you'll see this place completely differently. Refuel after a day out at Peekamoose Restaurant & Tap Room or The Phonician Steakhouse , just minutes from the mountain, seasonal menu, exactly what you need after a big day outside.
Looking for a Catskills cabin near Belleayre this weekend? Book direct at Alpine Four Season Lodge for the best price guaranteed…..no platform fees, no markups.
Fly fishing season just started.
April Is Fly Fishing Season — and It's a Big Deal
The Catskills are the birthplace of American fly fishing, and April marks the opening of the season on the Beaverkill and Willowemoc rivers. Rainbow and Brown Trout are running, insect hatches are beginning, and the rivers are at peak flow from snowmelt. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just curious, this is a bucket-list experience that's been happening in these valleys for over a century.
Staying at a Western Catskills vacation rental puts you within minutes of these legendary waters. Pack a rod. You won't regret it.
The Rest of April: Don't Sleep On It
The shoulder season here is wildly underrated. Crowds are gone, prices are reasonable, and the region is quietly humming back to life.
April 24 —Guided summit ascent of Slide Mountain via the historic Curtis-Ormsbee Trail, led by a licensed NYS guide
All month — Wildflower blooms on lower trails, farm stands reopening, and the restaurants that went quiet in winter are back and cooking
Pussy willow shrub this time of the year.
Your Base Camp in the Western Catskills
Steps from Belleayre, surrounded by forest, and built for every season, Alpine Four Season Lodge where you stay when you want the full Catskills experience without the hassle. From romantic suites like the Lotus Bird and Bohemian Dream to larger gatherings sleeping up to 22 guests — there's a space here for every kind of trip.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "One of the best stays we've had in the Catskills. Woke up to mountain views, enjoyed the surrounding forest and Belleayre mountain. We'll be back every season." — recent guest
Rooms from $75/night this April. April weekends are already moving — don't wait until the shoulder season secret gets out.
👉 Skip the platform fees. Book direct at alpinefourseasonlodge.com best rate guaranteed, no markups, more money in your trip budget.
See you on the mountain — and at the lodge.
Daniel & The Crew
Belleayre mountain, Western Catskills, NY
Daniel is a hospitality operator and multi-unit builder who's spent over a decade scaling experiences worth returning to. Alpine Four Season Lodge is his passion project — a place where good design, mountain air, and genuine hospitality meet.
