The ski resort landscape has changed a lot recently. Too many local hills have struggled and closed. Others have sold out to big corporate conglomerates that try to manage hills on a one-size fits all mentality. A lot of local hills have lost their identity, their charm.
Holiday Valley in Ellicottville, NY is the exception. Not only have they survived the challenge of the last few years, they have thrived. They continue to reinvest in the hill and the resort. New to 2024 is a state of the art 6-person chairlift up the long, wide Mardi Gras run. The condos at The Tamarack Club are also getting a makeover. They are being remodeled with fresh, new colors, new furnishings and an updated look and feel. The restaurant at the Tamarack Club, Edna’s, just finished a remodel and reopened for skiers to grab a drink or bite to eat slope-side. At the hill, they introduced direct-to-lift reloadable tickets this year simplifying the pass process for all skiers/riders. Holiday Valley is truly a first-class operation that continuously reinvests itself to keep it that way.
Speaking of investing, Holiday Valleys knows one of its most important elements is snow, and their snowmakers are the best in the industry. They have 717 snow guns on the property, and they are aren’t afraid to use them. We never have to worry if there will be enough white stuff for a good day on the hill. If they can, they make snow. They are not conservative about it. They don’t delay openings or close to save costs. They work all night to cover the runs. Even after unseasonably warm temps and weeks of rain, we always have enough runs open for 2 full days of skiing. Other resorts don’t even try. Other resorts don’t want to waste their resources to make snow in unfavorable conditions. But Holiday Valley always tries. They always make it right. You can count on it. If they can make snow, there are blowing. They are also refreshingly transparent. Unlike other hills that take down their web cams when conditions aren’t ideal, Holiday Valley’s cameras are always up. This is really nice for out-of-town guests trying to plan. We always check the cameras before heading out of town, and while we never cancel, it gives you the opportunity to see what you are getting into before hitting the road. This transparency is just one of the many ways Holiday Valley puts its guests first.
Lodging Options
One of my favorite parts of Holiday Valley are their choices of lodging. They have so many options right at the resort. No need to find a chain hotel or drive to a city to spend the night. Holiday Valley has properties in every size and budget, right at the hill. Whether you stay at The Inn, The Tamarack Club or one of their hundreds of rental properties, the benefits are incredible. In addition to premier location, all of the HV properties include discounted lift tickets – up to 50% off. The savings for staying on property is so significant, we haven’t gone anywhere else in years. They also offer a very generous cancellation policy. As long as you cancel more than 3 days out, you get a full refund (minus $20 processing fee). While we almost never cancel, the flexibility is appreciated, because you never know, especially with kids. We have stayed at a lot of the properties over the years, and here are some of my thoughts:
The Inn at Holiday Valley
The Inn at Holiday Valley is a quintessential ski lodge with 102 rooms. There is a cozy lobby where you can find guests enjoying drinks and playing cards or cooking up a family meal in a crockpot. Hot breakfast is included every day which is a nice way to quickly fuel up before hitting the slopes. The rooms are pretty standard and more than ample for a few nights stay. They have king, (2) queen and suite rooms. All of the rooms include a minifridge, a patio or balcony, a bench (ideal for putting on ski boots) and plenty of hooks to hang your gear on. A lot of the rooms are slope-side and include great views and ski-in, ski-out convenience. Each room comes with it’s own ski locker for storing equipment right outside your room. The Inn also has a big indoor/outdoor pool, a hot tub and a sauna for guests to enjoy. Soaking in the hot tub while the kids swim is our favorite way to end the night after a long day on the hill.
The Tamarack Club
The Tamarack Club is Holiday Valley’s premier property. Located at the base of the hill, it is comprised of 78 timeshare condos that Holiday Valley manages and rents outs. The units range from a standard hotel room to an 1,800 square feet penthouse or executive suite. You can rent a standard hotel room or a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom suite complete with a living room and a fully-equipped kitchen. They kitchens have full-size a refrigerator, stove/range, dishwasher, dishes, toaster, microwave, etc. The Tamarack Club is located at the base of the mountain for ski-in, ski-out convenience and has the most amenities of any Holiday Valley property. Onsite you will find:
- A Full Service Spa
- Indoor/Outdoor Pool
- 2 Outdoor Hot Tubs Overlooking Ski Hill
- Fitness Center
- Sauna
- Arcade
- Ski-Check
- Edna’s Restaurant and Bar
- Covered Garage
If you’re looking for luxury and convenience, Tamarack is the place to be.
Holiday Valley Rental Properties
Holiday Valley also rents out over 300 homes and condos for owners as part of their rental management program. There are a number of condo/townhome on the hill or nearby that are great options. We have stayed at many different units. Here are some of the different complexes Holiday Valley offers as rentals:
- Fox Ridge Townhouses – 2, 3, 4 bedroom units overlooking the hill
- SnowPine Condominiums – ski-in, ski-out 1, 2, 3 bedroom units
- Alpine Meadow Townhouses – 3 bedroom townhouses located across the street from the Sunrise Chairlift
- Valley Village Condos – 3 bedrooms and a loft by the Chute chairlift
- Wildflower – affordable lodging across the street from the hill offering studio, 1, 2, 3 bedroom condos
Just like The Inn at Holiday Valley and The Tamarack Club, the condos/townhouses come with significantly discounted lift tickets. But unlike The Tamarack Club, the units are all individually owned, furnished and personalized to homeowners’ preferences. While these units are still rented out by Holiday Valley Rental Management, they more like an Airbnb or an VRBO whereas The Tamarack Club is more like staying at a hotel. We have stayed at dozens of units over the years. The larger 3,4 bedrooms at Fox Ridge are great for multiple families. We can all stay together, split the costs, and visit at night. These units were ideal when we had young kids, because we could put the babies down in their own room and sit and visit with adults in the living room. There was enough room for everyone to have their own space; yet still be together. The only downside of the condos/townhouses is the lack of pool/hot tub. Only guests at The Inn at Holiday Valley and The Tamarack Club have access to the pools/hot tubs.
Holiday Valley runs a shuttle to all of its units, so there is no need to load the car up and drive to the hill if you don’t stay in a ski-in, ski-out unit. Just call the shuttle, and they will take you and your gear to the hill.
Ski Trails and Facilities
Probably the most important part of a ski resort, is the ski hill itself. Holiday Valley boasts 58 groomed trails, 13 lifts and 290 skiable acres. There is a ton of variety with narrow, steep runs, wide, long runs, moguls, terrain parks, and everything in between. It is very family-friendly. Skiers/riders at every level are always out and rarely do you see poor ski etiquette or out of control skiers/riders. The terrain is vast and diverse. You can easily spend an entire weekend on the hill without getting bored.
If work up an appetite while on the hill, there are lodges scattered throughout the mountain. In addition to the main Holiday Valley Lodge at the base, there are two other full-service lodges, The Yodeler Lodge and The Tannenbaum Lodge. All of the lodges offer prepared and cook-to-order food options. You can grab a bowl of chili, a burger, pizza, or hit the salad bar while taking a break from skiing/riding. The main lodge and the Yodeler Lodge also have full bars onsite. All of the lodges have cozy indoor fireplaces and outdoor firepits to warm up around. In addition to the lodges, there are warming huts on the top of Cindy’s Run and Mardi Gras where you can pop in for a quick break. On the weekends, you’ll find the ski patrollers grilling out at the top Mardi Gras for anyone wanting a burger or hot dog on their way down the hill. Lastly, no day at Holiday Valley would be complete without a trip to the waffle cabin. After a long day skiing, nothing hits the spot like a hot, delicious waffle. Be sure to try this sweet treat on your way off the mountain.
Exploring Ellicottville
Another reason we love Holiday Valley is the town surrounding it. Ellicottville is adorable and only about a mile away. Treat yourself after a day of skiing to a nice dinner at Villaggio or Ellicottville Brewing Company (EBC). EBC has been one of our favorites for decades. They have great beer and delicious food. While you’re there try the Blueberry Wheat or their Chocolate Cherry Bomb. After a recent expansion, the brewery is huge and very accommodating to families/large groups. Before you leave, find your favorite beer, grab a growler and bring some back to your room.
If you are looking for new ski/boarding gear, check out The Board Room. It is located on State Route 219 by the Inn at Holiday Valley. Their service and selection are unmatched. Although we live hours away, this is the only place we buy equipment from. They are great with kids, have tons of new and used equipment and are always fairly priced. They are kind, helpful and a pleasure to work with.
Other Ellicottville staples include:
- Katy’s – a great breakfast place in town
- The Gin Mill – a great, easy-going bar/restaurant downtown
- Balloons – looking for a “club” that will remind you of your college days? Balloons is it. They have music, dancing, drink specials and you may even stick to the floor on your way out.
- The Depot – a fun, eclectic bar with good pizza and fried food close to the ski hill
- The Purple Doorknob – a shop filled with fun socks
- Watson’s Chocolate – stop by for a sweet chocolate treat or ice cream cone
Holiday Valley and the town of Ellicottville are a true treasure and example of what a ski hill and ski town should be. They are welcoming, family-friendly and a place we can’t get enough of. We drive past other ski hills to visit Holiday Valley, because nothing else compares. There is a reason they are consistently ranked as one of the top ski resorts in the East. They do it right. They focus on the snow, their customers and their experience. If you are looking for a charming ski resort, check out Holiday Valley. You won’t be disappointed.
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