Holiday Valley in Ellicottville
The “Just Right” Winter Family Vacation
Snuggled in the Allegany Mountains, just three hours east of Cleveland, is the family-friendly resort of Holiday Valley in the cozy Village of Ellicottville. Sharing a few days on the slopes, away from the commitments and distractions of everyday life brings families together in a way nothing else can.
At Holiday Valley families can enjoy slope side lodging, an interesting variety of terrain, legendary snow, and fun places to eat, shop and play.
The resort’s 60 slopes and 13 lifts are spread over four different mountain faces on 1,400 acres with pockets of interesting terrain hidden throughout. Happy Glade, one of four glades at Holiday Valley, is a kids’ delight with a gentle pitch and tightly packed evergreens that lead to a secret fort in the woods.
Kid-sized moguls, just perfect for learning to ski bumps, can be found on the moderately pitched Morning Star Slope.
The Riglet Park at Penguin Hill at the bottom of School Haus slope is a down-sized learning area and terrain park that gives kids (and parents) a place to learn how to ride and slide on non-intimidating terrain and features that are shorter and low to the ground.
The Sky High Mountain Coaster is a thrilling ride down the mountain through the trees. Holiday Valley’s efficient lift system includes 11 family-friendly quad chairs (three of which are high speed), and 2 “magic carpet” conveyor lifts.
Holiday Valley’s Mountain Adventures Children’s Snowsports School is the perfect place for kids as young as three to learn or improve skiing or snowboarding skills.
Day Care, which can be combined with lessons, operates daily. And after a full day on the slopes, families love the Holiday Valley Tubing Park with 22 groomed lanes and a conveyor lift, a warming hut and a huge bonfire pit.
For the little ones under 7 years and 42 inches tall, there’s the Li’l Tubers area, weather permitting. The Tubing Park is open Thursdays through Sundays and holidays.
The Tamarack Club and the Inn at Holiday Valley both offer ski-in, ski-out access, indoor/outdoor heated pools, outdoor hot tubs and saunas. The Tamarack Club is just steps from the Day Care center and the Children’s Snowsports School. Slope side condominiums from Holiday Valley Property Management are a great choice for families who want extra living space, additional bedrooms and the convenience of a kitchen.
Weekday lift and lodging packages at these three Holiday Valley properties include free lift tickets for two children up to age 17 when accompanied by two paying adults.
Don’t forget, a family vacation is for moms and dads too. Besides having the most variety of terrain in the region, there are plenty of services and activities to keep adults as happy as the kids. The Holiday Valley Snowsports School is a great resource for learning or improving your skiing or snowboarding skills.
The full service Ellicottville Oasis Spa is located in the Tamarack Club, as is the lively John Harvard’s Brew House where over 20 craft beers are on tap. Shopping is delightful in the welcoming Village of Ellicottville with several boutiques, antiques, galleries and restaurants.
Holiday Valley Resort in Ellicottville is on the web at www.holidayvalley.com and reservations can be made by calling 800-323-0020.
Holiday Valley Ski Resort
