Ellicottville NY
Excerpts from article “14 Top New York Ski Resorts” by Sharael Kolberg has named both HoliMont Resort and Holiday Valley resort as two of the Top 14 New York Ski Resorts.
HoliMont Ski Club: Ellicottville, Chautauqua-Allegheny HoliMont is America’s largest private ski club. The mountain features seven chairlifts and 56 trails that cover 135 skiable acres, as well as a state-of-the-art snowmaking system. During the weekends in winter, the mountain is open for members only, which means far fewer skiers and snowboarders on the slopes. Previous visitors can’t say enough great things about the grooming of the runs and the lack of crowds. On-mountain amenities include gear rentals, a cafeteria and a mountain shop. You can enjoy cold weather activities like downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at this New York ski resort.
Annual membership includes access to the lifts for skiing and mountain biking with no lines, exclusive perks and events, country club reciprocals, ski clinics taught by Olympic skiers, and more. HoliMont Ski Club also offers a ski school for beginners or those who want to take their skills to the next level. For students who need extra assistance, the resort’s adaptive ski and snowboard program caters to individuals with disabilities. Address: 6921 state Route 242, Ellicottville, NY 14731
Holiday Valley Resort: Ellicottville, Chautauqua-Allegheny, located in Ellicottville, Holiday Valley offers downhill skiing (day and night), snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and tubing. This family-friendly ski resort is good for both beginners and experts, and lift tickets for children ages 6 or younger are free. Get a feel for the mountain through the interactive map online. Recent ski school participants praise the certified instructors for being patient, experienced and friendly. In addition to offering ski school for little ones (as well as adults), Holiday Valley can also provide day care for kids who aren’t ready to tackle the slopes. Other kid-friendly activities include searching the mountain for the Seneca Clan Rocks that represent the eight clans of Native American nations from western New York.
If cross-country skiing is your thing, there are free trails for varying ability levels. Beginners can stay near the bottom, around the golf course, while more advanced skiers can journey along the top ridgeline of Holiday Valley. Non-skiers can zip down the mountain on the popular two-person Sky Flyer Mountain Coaster, which is a thrilling ride through the snowy woods; go snow tubing; or enjoy some relaxation at the Ellicottville Oasis Spa at the Tamarack Club. For ski-in/ski-out accommodation via the Sunrise Chairlift, the Inn at Holiday Valley is a convenient option that offers spectacular views. Address: 6557 Holiday Valley Road, Ellicottville, NY 14731