Carol Fisher Linn
Sending winter out with a fun-filled bang at Ellicottville ski areas. Mark your calendars and try to keep up with the fun….
Uppenovr, March 21
Holiday Valley & HoliMont
Where to begin? I guess at the top as you go Uppenovr between both ski areas for a final blitz at winter fun. For the third year, both Holiday Valley and HoliMont are working together (really more like playing together) this Saturday, March 21 offering an uphill/downhill race, or casual glide, snowshoe event, that starts at Holiday Valley, goes up, over (get the catchy Uppenovr name?) and down HoliMont, back up HoliMont over and back down to Holiday Valley.
UppenOvr is a fundraiser for Roswell Park Cancer Hospital and their clinical trials program and Team Holiday Valley’s Empire State Ride where they ride 550 miles across NYS. Use any equipment that attaches to your feet. Use touring skis, cross country skis, snowshoes or goodness, hiking boots or even barrel staves! And, of course, if you so wish – a costume!
Advanced registration is $40 and you can sign up and find out details at holidayvalley.com. The start is at 3pm at the Yodeler Lodge and the route heads up to Spruce Lake, across to HoliMont, down Sunset slope, then back up to Spruce Lake, across and back down to Yodeler Lodge. The total distance is about 3.5 miles with an elevation gain of 1,040 feet. If you choose to recharge at Spruce Lake’s hydration stop, remember, if you “hydrate” with a Fireball shotski, you have to finish, hopefully upright.
Back at Yodeler Lodge, participants will be treated to a hot dog, a beer or N/A beverage, live music with PA Line, prizes and awards and a unique basket raffle and silent auction with some snazzy unique prizes. Spectators are welcome and beverages will be available for purchase. Basket raffle begins at 2pm – (see some of the great items on pg. 5 in this week’s edition of The Villager) go online to see what other auction items will be added, holidayvalley.com. Good times for all and all for a good cause! To top it off, it’s being held for a good cause, and it is fun to travel between Holiday Valley and HoliMont much like was done in the “old days.”
But that’s not all. There is always something fun going on in Ellicottville. When my kids were growing up, they did pond skimming in any puddle or the creek below Greer Hill behind our house. I vaguely remember doing it myself, 75 or so years ago, even as a suburban kid. Pond skimming is pure delight, no matter your age. Because fun is timeless, skimming continues, generation after generation.
Pond Skimming, March 28
Holiday Valley & HoliMont
Folks in Ellicottville can get their fill of pond skimming on Saturday, March 28th at both Holiday Valley (2-4pm) and HoliMont ski (noon) areas. If you are a member of HoliMont, you could do both skims. HoliMont (at Main Chalet) is open to 30 members (non-members may participate in the cheering section), while Holiday Valley (at Yodeler) is open to anyone (first 50 who sign up). Both have staff-made pools. Awards are dispensed at Holiday Valley which include judging, best of show, best splash, etc; HoliMonters get personal satisfaction or a goal to improve next year. Regardless, everyone has end-of-the-season fun. And isn’t that really what it’s all about?
Costumes are always fun. HoliMont is going for a DISCO theme, while at Holiday Valley, anything goes. Personally, I would go as a boat. No rules against it, right? Of course, you must register. At Holiday Valley, start gathering at noon. You’ll want to be at the head of the line so you get a spot. Likewise, at HoliMont. The earlier you arrive the more assured you will get a chance to get as close to walking on water as humans can get.
Snowboards or skis are the skimming vehicles. Thanks to Kalia Lippencott at HoliMont who provided this writer with the information about the HoliMont event. She says both are used for the event but surprisingly, more skis are used. Likely because nationally, there are more skiers than boarders. And always thank you to Dash Hageman at Holiday Valley for filling us in on all things HV.
Intense Milk RAILJAM
Holiday Valley, March 21
Finally, remember to look up information about the Intense Milk RAILJAM at the base of Yodeler (12-1:30) at Holiday Valley, also on the 21st. Tell your friends, bring your A game and see who has the best skills!