By Jane Eshbaugh
With a few days of sunshine so far and an occasional warmer day, spring is coming…at least that’s what the calendar says. Regardless, Holiday Valley is preparing for a fantastic spring skiing session with amazing snow and wonderful events.
at the bottom of Yodeler. Teams of 3 patrollers guide a toboggan down a race
course while spinning, holding a balloon and switching places. This is followed
by a beer (or rootbeer) slalom open to the public at 2pm where competitors
ski or snowboard through the gates trying not to spill their full beer and
then chugging it at the finish line.
This weekend is the annual Winter Carnival featuring many of the traditional activities and a few new ones as well. If you’re ready for golf season to start, check out the Putt Putt Bar Crawl this Saturday, March 8, starting at 11am at the Ullr Bar. It’s a 7-hole putting contest that takes place at the many bars at the resort and finishes at the SnowBar. The $10 registration fee includes 2 drinks. Speaking of the SnowBar, the HV Snowmaking Crew will open for business at the base of Yodeler from 11am-4:30pm both Saturday and Sunday and the Safety Patrol will barbeque hot dogs and sausages at Yodeler base from 10am-4pm. Several Holiday Valley departments will be decorated in a Western theme and the judging takes place on Saturday. Kids can get their face painted, eat hot dogs and hunt for candy in the Scavenger Hunt at
playing in Yodeler from 3-6pm.
the Creekside Lodge between 11:30am-1pm.
At 1:30pm on Saturday, the Ski Patrol puts on a wild and crazy Toboggan Race at the bottom of Yodeler. Teams of 3 patrollers guide a toboggan down a race course while spinning, holding a balloon and switching places. This is followed by a beer (or rootbeer) slalom open to the public at 2pm where competitors ski or snowboard through the gates trying not to spill their full beer and then chugging it at the finish line. Check out the “Old School Jump Comp” on lower Yodeler at 2:30pm. PA Line will entertain in Yodeler Lodge from 3-6pm to finish off the day in time for everyone to head into town to watch the parade at 6:30pm.
Sunday begins with the 9am Ski Patrol pancake breakfast with sausage and real maple syrup at the base of Yodeler. Donations to the Patrol are gratefully accepted. Everyone looks forward to the Costume Parade at noon down Mardi Gras where the Best of Show wins a season pass for next year! Lederhosen Ski Club will host their hot dog cookout as a fundraiser for the Lounsbury Adaptive Program and the Ellicottville Ski Club will serve free wine and cheese, both near the Clocktower.
Be sure to head down to Creekside at 2pm for FREE ice cream sundaes, then back up to Yodeler for the Dummy Downhill that starts at 2:30pm sharp. This zany event features creative homemade dummies that ski or snowboard down, over a jump and then crash into a barrier at the bottom…it’s a real crowd pleaser! The celebration ends with the Darkwater Duo band playing in Yodeler from 3-6pm. Wow, what a weekend!
But we’re not finished yet…stay tuned for the final Intense Milk Rail Jam and the Uppenovr on March 15, followed by Pondskimming on March 22. This season promises to go out with a bang!