By David Parker
Ellicottville’s two major ski resorts are heading into the 2026–27 season with a fresh round of capital investment, supported in part by incentives approved through the Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA).
Holiday Valley is moving forward with roughly $4.7 million in improvements. A significant portion of that work is focused on snowmaking, with upgrades intended to improve coverage and efficiency across the mountain. The resort is also putting about $500,000 into renovations at The Inn at Holiday Valley.
Guests will see other changes as well. Holiday Valley is adding updated RFID access gates, renovating McCarty Café in the Main Lodge, making improvements to the Training Center and Sky High Adventure Park, and purchasing new equipment for golf course operations.
The CCIDA approved sales-tax relief for the Holiday Valley project in May, helping reduce the cost of eligible purchases tied to the improvements.
HoliMont is also investing in its facilities, with approximately $705,000 in planned work. Projects include snowmaking improvements, lift-related work, building and grounds upgrades, equipment purchases and continued development of its bike trail system. The CCIDA also approved sales-tax assistance for HoliMont, with the tax benefit valued at nearly $99,000.
For HoliMont, snowmaking remains an important long-term priority. The improvements are aimed at allowing the resort to take better advantage of shorter periods of favorable snowmaking weather while also strengthening system reliability.
Holiday Valley is already planning its next major lift investment as well. In 2027, the resort expects to replace the current Cindy’s Quad with a new high-speed quad. The new lift is planned for a different alignment near Foxfire, which will increase uphill capacity while opening up Cindy’s Run by removing the existing lift towers from the trail.
The project is expected to coincide with Holiday Valley’s 70th anniversary, and early site preparation has already begun.
Taken together, the investments at Holiday Valley and HoliMont represent more than $5.3 million in improvements and point to an exciting next chapter for Ellicottville. With better snowmaking, upgraded guest amenities, continued year-round development, and a new high-speed quad on the horizon, both resorts are positioning the community for stronger seasons ahead and giving skiers, visitors, and local businesses plenty to look forward to.