NOTES: South of Buffalo near Ellicottville, the Holiday Valley ski area has 50 runs open to snowboarding with a maximum vertical of 750 feet across multiple ridges. The park and pipe on Foxfire, a most difficult rated slope is named Cindys Evil Twin and is for those with a some experience and a lot of courage. The half pipe is 300 feet long and 40 feet wide, with 10-foot vertical walls. Holiday Valleys new HPG (Half Pipe Groomer) is especially designed for Eastern snow conditions and will be used frequently to keep good vert.
For apres ski, try the Depot or Brewery. For nightlife, first hit the Gin Mill and then Mattigans.
Bonus - signup for the Holiday Valley weekly e-mail which occasionally has excellent last minute weekend bargain packages with lodging and lift pass combos.
Directions:
From the North - Cross the Peace Bridge and take 190 South to Interstate 90 West (the NYS Thruway.) Take Exit 55 to Rt. 219 South. Follow 219 for 50 miles to Ellicottville, then 1 mile farther south on 219 to Holiday Valley. From the Buffalo Airport- at the airport exit take Rt. 33 west to Interstate 90 west. Exit 55 to Rt. 219 South, 50 miles to Ellicottville and 1 mile to Holiday Valley.
From the West –Take Interstate 90 to Exit 37 (the Jamestown exit). Follow NYS 86 east (Southern Tier Expressway) to Exit 21 in Salamanca. Take Rt. 219 North 10 miles to Holiday Valley.
FOR MORE
INFORMATION: Holiday Valley (716) 699-2345; NY Tourism (800) CALL NYS.
SEASON: Jan. - Feb.
RATING: Easy
BREAKFAST JOINT: DJ's, Ellicottville; McCarty Cafe at HV
BASE CAMP: Telemark Inn
LUXURY LODGE: Ellicottville Inn (716) 699-2373; The Inn at Holiday Valley
