ELLICOTTVILLE | HOLIDAY VALLEY | HOLIMONT
KISSING BRIDGE | BUFFALO SKI CLUB | PEEK ‘N PEAK
Ellicottville
Ellicottville is the true jewel for the avid skier, and one of the few genuine ski towns in the East. They boast two outstanding ski areas and a Victorian-era village of gingerbread porches, narrow brick storefronts, restaurants, taverns and inns.
The village of Ellicottville is walking (long walk) distance to the slopes, both Holiday Valley and Holimont, and full of great spots to dine or wine.
Regulars say Dina’s is best for everything. Really good food and open three meals a day. EBC – Ellicottville Brewing Co. is great for drinks and family dinner. Tips Up – good dinner. Gin Mill – Drinking and bar food – lunch or dinner. John Harvard’s at the Lodge at Holiday Valley is a good lunch or dinner spot; Kabob’s – good dinner food; Cadillac Jacks – bar food, lunch or dinner; Birdwalk – good for dinner; Silver Fox Steakhouse for fine food and a good wine list. MORE
For a list of accommodations click here.
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Holiday Valley
Readers of SKI Magazine ranked Holiday Valley as the 5th best resort in eastern North America in the October 2013 issue of this national publication. The Resort Guide is based on a survey of 40,000 of SKI Magazine readers conducted during the 2012-13 season. Fifty-eight slopes and 13 lifts (including three high speed quads) are spread over four distinct faces that offer challenging steeps, gentle cruisers, glades and fun terrain parks. A mountain coaster ride adds to the wintertime thrills. Three beautiful base lodges provide full service dining, marketplaces and coffee bars as well as ski and snowboard rentals and repair, two ski shops and four bars. Children’s ski programs and on-site day care means convenience and flexibility for families. Lodging is also available on the slopes. General info | Snow report | Trail Map
The Mountain:
Top elevation 2,250 feet.
Base elevation 1,500 feet.
Vertical drop 750 feet.
Total acres 1,400
Skiable acres 300 day and 180 night
Slopes and trails 58 slopes
Night skiing 37 slopes
The Lifts:
Total number of lifts and tows 13
11 quad chairlifts (three are high speed)
One surface tow
One magic carpet
Cross Country Skiing & Snowshoeing:
10 km trails around base area (easier).
6.0 km packed trail along ridgeline (more and most difficult).
Terrain Parks and Features:
Five terrain parks
42 / 78 Park – Largest slope style rails and jumps
Rail Park at Mardi Gras
Introductory features at the Progression Park and Burton Riglet Park for the tiniest riders
Intermediate features on Snoozer
Moonshadow Boardercross Course
Holiday Valley Tubing Company:
Located on Rt. 242 at Bryant Hill in Ellicottville.
20 lanes
Two handle tows
100 foot drop over 900 feet length
Li’l Tubers area for children under 42”
Ice Skating Rink
Warming hut with snack bar, fireplace and game room
Bonfire pit
Accommodations:
Resort owned Inn at Holiday Valley with 102 rooms.
Resort owned Holiday Valley Rental Management Service with 260 privately owned condominiums, townhouses and homes.
Tamarack Club Condominium Hotel with 138 condominiums and hotel rooms
Rates (US Funds):
Adult Junior (age 7-11) (age 6 and under ski free)
8-hour weekend $63 $49
Night 4:00-10:00 p.m. $33 $26
Day / Night Weekend $67 $51
Saturday & Sunday $105 $82
8-hour weekday $53 $42
Day / Night Weekday $56 $45
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Holimont
With 52 slopes that cover 135 skiable acres Holimont has enough terrain to keep you busy all day long. This is a private ski club that opens their doors to the public Monday – Friday, 9:30am – 4:20pm (except for the week between Christmas & New Years). Day pass is ~ $50. You can get a 10 pack weekday pass for ~$225. The facilities are very nice, and the trails are every bit as good as Holiday Valley. If you want to avoid the crowds on a weekday, or just want to try something new, this is an excellent choice. Holimont is the only ski area in North America to totally ban all mechanized equipment on the slopes during ski hours.Their Mountain Men service the slopes as part of our cutting-edge approach to managing lifts, snowguns and snowmaking stations. General info | Snow report | Trail Map
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Kissing Bridge
Kissing Bridge has been a WNY favorite for day trip skiing for generations. Perfect for family skiing or anyone who doesn’t want to hang in the car too long. A short 30 minutes ride south of downtown Buffalo. Not too small and not too big. They have all he modern amenities and snow making equipment, 38 trails, 10 lifts and night skiing.
Summit Elevation: 1,750′
Vertical Drop: 550′
Skiable Acres: 778
10296 State Road, Glenwood, NY 14069 | Phone: (716) 592-4963 | Snow Report: (716) 592-4961
Tickets range from $16 (bunny) to $60 – all day
$335 tots – $660 Adult every day
WEBSITE | SNOW REPORT | TRAIL MAP
After Skiing: KB has a couple spots onsite to eat and drink that will get you by in a pinch. If you are looking for a nice dinner I suggest the new Colden Mill Restaurant in Colden or The Dog Bar in West Falls. Going south? Try the Fireside Inn for a cozy, country spot.
Colden Tubing
Located adjacent to KB North. Ride to the summit and slide to the valley floor some 10 stories down. Tubers must be a minimum of 42″ inches tall and at least 7 years old to participate. Conditions permitting, a free bunny slope is available for smaller children.
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Buffalo Ski Club
Buffalo Ski Club offers memberships and daily passes. This is a great place to get your kids interested in skiing. No matter how small they can wonder the small gentle slopes and not find too much trouble.
The facility covers 300 acres with 43 trails ranging in terrain from moderate to beginner. The area is serviced by two chair lifts, two t-bars and two handle lifts. Three lodges are spread out over the area. General Info
After ski: If you’re looking for food and/or drink after skiing here your best bet is The Dog Bar if you’re heading north, The Colden Mill Restaurant if you’re heading south, or perhaps a short drive into the villages of Orchard Park or East Aurora.
7414 State Road (Rte. 240) – Colden, NY 14033 – (716) 941-5654
Daily Pass: $25-$45 full day
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Peek ‘n Peak Resort
Peek ‘n Peak is in a beautiful area of New York just north of the Pennsylvania state line. Although the slopes lack a certain amount of challenge for the experienced skier, the facility is first class with great views of the countryside, large condo’s to rent and a great old hotel. The hotel offers an indoor pool and a spa. General Info | Trail Map
After ski activities are limited to cocktails in your rental or the fine dining room, bar at the hotel or the French Creek Tavern down the road. The quaint village of Findley is dry.
1405 Olde Road, Findley Lake, NY (716) 355-4141 $24 – $54
Lift Hours of Operation
• Monday – Thursday 9:30am – 9:00pm
• Friday 9:30am – 10:00pm
• Saturday, & Holidays – 8:30am – 10pm
• Sunday – 8:30am – 9pm
Trail Info:
• 27 perfectly groomed slopes & trails serviced by eight chairlifts
• State-of-the-art snowmaking throughout the entire trail system
• Operating 7 days and nights a week throughout the ski season
• Ski/snowboard equipment and helmet rentals available
• Lessons available for all levels given by trained, professional instructors
• Miles of terrain for cross country skiing and snowshoeing
• Snow tubing for all ages, no skills required
• Three progression terrain parks & halfpipe
• Direct access to the Chautauqua Lake snowmobile trail system