Spending time in the snowy mountains of a ski resort is a refreshing way to get away from the daily routine. Breathing in the fresh air, enjoying the scenic views, and taking an energetic run down a powdery slope can be invigorating for your overall sense of health. Holiday Valley is a beautiful resort in upstate New York with 56 slopes for skiers and snowboarders that range from beginner to expert, and group and private lessons available for all ages. The resort also offers a wide variety of additional activities, including cross-country trails, a tubing park, the Sky Flyer Mountain Coaster, and the Ellicottville Oasis Spa at the Tamarack Club. When you’re ready for a refreshing adventure and a relaxing stay, the Holiday Valley Resort provides an opportunity for everyone in your group to discover a favorite activity from a range of options.
Set on 289 acres, Holiday Valley is one of the three largest ski resorts in the state of New York. Located in Ellicottville, just an hour south of Buffalo, the resort also features 4 terrain parks and 11 quad lifts, which span across four faces on the mountain. Holiday Valley has grown considerably since it first opened in 1958. At that point, the resort featured only four slopes and a T-bar to transport skiers to the top. The resort is now considered to be one of the top five ski destinations in New York, according to SnowOnline.
Ski down The Wall or tube down a chute
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Snowboarders and freeriders will be excited to discover the four parks available, which include one for beginners, one for more advanced skills, one with rails only, and a half-pipe. Cross-country skiers can explore 10 kilometers of trails around the property that have been groomed and are considered to be an easy level. Another 5 kilometers of more difficult, ungroomed trails are also available, or take a cross-country trip over the ungroomed mountain-bike trails that stretch across the area. The golf course is a perfect opportunity to go snowshoeing, either during the day or in the evening.
When it’s time to take a break from the moguls on Morning Star and you’ve made your way down The Wall, the most challenging run at Holiday Valley, it will be a refreshing change to visit the Snow Tubing Park. Use the free shuttle from the resort to travel just 4 miles to reach the fifth largest tubing park in the country. There are 20 chutes and a conveyor lift that will transport both children and adults to the top of this wintry thrill ride. There’s also a Li’l Tubers section of the park that is the perfect area for guests under 42 inches to become acquainted with this exciting adventure. A bonfire pit and warming hut can be found at the bottom of the hill to provide tubers with a way to warm up and enjoy a snack.
Zip down the Sky Flyer
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Holiday Valley also features an exciting adventure of a completely different kind with their Sky Flyer Mountain Coaster. Take an exhilarating ride down the mountain and through the woods on the Sky Flyer, which is like riding a car on a roller coaster. Rails will pull you to the top of the hill, then fly down the track on your own or with a friend, with handles on the sides to control the speed. Children must be at least 3 years old to ride with an adult, and 8 years old to ride alone. The ride lasts about 6 minutes, and it has 15 curves, 12 waves, and one jump!
After a day of skiing, snowboarding, tubing, or coasting down the mountain, the après-ski environment at Holiday Valley is a welcome reward. The Ellicottville Oasis Spa at the Tamarack Club offers a number of relaxing experiences, including nail treatments, massage therapy, facials, and body treatments. The Ellicottville area also features a number of restaurants with a wide variety of dining options, such as brick-oven pizza and local beer at Monroe Street Brick and Brew, live music with two dance floors at Balloons, or a chef-inspired tasting menu at Glendorn. Holiday Valley offers something for everyone, whether you’re bringing your family, planning a romantic getaway, or meeting friends for the weekend. The time spent in this wintry resort is sure to be a refreshing way to relax, have fun, and reconnect with friends and family.
