BRIDGEVILLE, N.Y. — Holiday Mountain is reopening a section of its ski area that has been closed for more than 20 years as part of a major expansion that includes a new chairlift, additional trails and upgraded snowmaking equipment.

The Sullivan County ski area, located along Route 17 in Bridgeville, is continuing an 15 million dollar redevelopment project under the ownership of Michael Taylor, who purchased the property in 2023. A newly released trail map outlines the latest improvements, including the reopening of the mountain’s North Pod, the addition of new terrain and expanded opportunities for skiers and snowboarders of varying abilities.

Taylor said the redevelopment is intended to restore Holiday Mountain as a regional recreational destination while preserving its role in the community.

The property’s history has personal significance for Taylor. His great-grandparents originally owned the land before his great-grandmother sold it to the Town of Thompson in 1957, following the construction of Route 17 through the property. The town operated Holiday Mountain until 2000, when it was sold to a private entity.

After years of financial and operational difficulties under previous ownership, the ski area faced the possibility of being sold for residential development. Taylor and his family ultimately purchased the property in 2023, beginning a major effort to restore its infrastructure and expand its recreational offerings.

“We just couldn’t let it happen,” Taylor said, explaining that the mountain’s importance to local children, tourism and the broader Catskills region influenced the decision to purchase it.

Major Investments in Mountain Infrastructure

The redevelopment has involved replacing much of the mountain’s aging infrastructure, including chairlifts, snowmaking pipes, electrical wiring, snow groomers and pumping equipment.

Taylor said the property’s infrastructure was in significant disrepair when the new ownership took over. The restoration has required substantial investment, as well as a learning process for Taylor and his team, who had experience in construction and related industries but limited experience operating a ski resort.

Taylor also described two significant fires that interrupted the redevelopment. “…March of last year during a wind episode, the utility pole snapped, dropping some transformers pretty much right up by our pump house, which was all rebuilt. We had brand new pumps and controls, and we had almost a million dollars invested in the building.”, said Taylor. “Next thing you know, it’s on fire. So thankfully it was the end of the ski season. I worked with utility company insurance companies and we got that rebuilt.”

A second fire occurred at the mountain’s new River Lodge during its first season of snowmaking operations in December 2025. “…Fast forward, we have a brand new building we call the River Lodge. It’s completed the first night of snowmaking last December. The electric wires are all brand new running through the building. Things overheated. So we’re making snow outside and by the morning, the inside of our building’s on fire, Taylor described.”  “So that’s our second setback. Brand new lodge, we burned the whole roof out of it and put us out of business for the season for snow tubing. But thankfully we got it all rebuilt and we got it rebuilt in time for this spring when we opened a new day camp.”

Despite the setbacks, Taylor said the mountain has continued to replace equipment and expand its facilities. The ski lodge has also undergone renovations, with additional expansion being considered as visitation grows.

North Pod Reopening Brings New Trails and Chairlift

One of the most significant developments for the upcoming ski season is the reopening of Holiday Mountain’s North Pod, an area that has been closed for approximately 23 ski seasons.

The section, which includes a natural halfpipe known as the Bowl, was shut down following a flood that destroyed the original ski lodge. Operations were subsequently moved to the other side of the property.

Taylor said the reopening will introduce approximately 10 trails, including five existing trails being restored and five new trails being developed.

A new triple chairlift, called the Quickway Triple, will provide access to the reopened section. The lift serves terrain that had been inaccessible to skiers for more than two decades.

The expansion follows earlier improvements to the mountain’s Turkey Trot chairlift. That aging double chairlift was replaced two years ago with a four-person chairlift, allowing the resort to reopen three trails and add a terrain park at the top of the mountain.

The terrain park includes its own rope tow and features designed for skiers and snowboarders interested in jumps and other obstacles.

The new trail network also includes terrain for a range of abilities. Among the named trails are Freebird, a black diamond run, Irish Goodbye, a blue-rated intermediate trail, and Yada Yada, a green-rated beginner trail.

Additional improvements include a designated racing trail equipped with fiber-optic timing systems at the top and bottom, along with a new timing building. One trail has been named Big Vanilla in recognition of the former Davos ski area, which operated near Woodridge before closing approximately 25 years ago.

Snow tubing, day camp and year-round activities

The property has introduced a new snow tubing facility featuring a conveyor lift to transport visitors uphill. The tubing area also includes colorful lighting and music designed to create an evening recreational experience.

The resort has also removed its former summer attractions, including go-karts and batting cages, in favor of activities intended to attract families and children.

A new day camp opened during the most recent summer season. Improvements included the addition of sports fields, pickleball and basketball courts, a heated swimming pool and a Gaga ball playing area.

Focus on Families and Regional Tourism

Taylor wants to provide an opportunity to attract families who might otherwise travel to other resorts to ski: “I do think it’s worth it because when you look at the Catskills, our proximity to New York City, I keep saying we’re one hundred miles from twenty million people. So if we can just get some of the apples that fall off the cart of those people that are traveling up to Vermont to go skiing, those big mega resorts, we’re just looking for, you know, a few of those customers to land at our place and say, wow, they’ve got some really cool terrain way closer to home.”

“We have brand new chairlifts now, all new snowmaking. It’s all lit for night skiing. So we’re just looking for a little piece of that pie that heads up to New England and hopefully to attract a lot of families and save them money and save them time.”

The resort is also working to expand relationships with area schools and develop youth recreation opportunities, which have been long-standing traditions of Holiday Mountain, dating back to the resort’s opening in 1957 .  “After-school programs are developing. We’re seeing the high school race programs are growing, and this has all happened within the first three seasons. We’re seeing brand new schools saying, hey, let’s get our kids outside and get them recreating.”

Holiday Mountain has also been expanding its community events. Taylor cited a recent Oktoberfest celebration that attracted approximately 500 attendees as an example of the enthusiasm surrounding the property’s renewed activities.

With the North Pod reopening, expanded trail offerings and upgraded facilities, Holiday Mountain is entering its fourth ski season under the current ownership of Taylor. Additional information about Holiday Mountain, its trails, snow tubing and recreational activities is available at skiholidaymtn.com.