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by Paul Maraschiello
Western New York state had been blanked by two feet of snow. So, when I was invited to visit Buffalo for Thanksgiving, I decided to bring my skis. I contacted Holiday Valley and arranged to pay them a visit. I had not skied at Holiday Valley for many years and I was anxious to pay them a visit.
I decided to fly to Buffalo and take advantage of Southwest Air's low-cost fair ($92 round-trip). This airline has become one of my favorites. For less that $100, I can also fly from DC to Manchester, NH and Albany, NY and have easy access to all the best skiing in the Northeast. For $100 each way, anyone can fly to Utah, Nevada or New Mexico and ski the legendary Western powder. We hopped on the plane and were landing after only being in the air for an hour. That sure beats the usual eight hour drive Holiday traffic.
Holiday Valley is located about 45 miles southwest of Buffalo. It was almost all superhighway all the way to this ski area located in Ellicottville. The resort had grown and there was a new Inn at the base of the mountain to accommodate over night visitors. The new Inn at Holiday Valley is a ski-in, ski-out facility with pool, sauna, hot tub and fitness room. They provide a free continental breakfast to their guests and it looked like a wonderful place to get away from it all for a business conference in the summer and a convenient place to ski if to are spending a weekend at Holiday Valley and want to be really near the slopes.
The Clubhouse Chalet serves as the base lodge. I knew I was going to have a great day when I found a parking place directly across the street from the main lodge. The smell of the fresh-baked goodies assailed my nostrils as I put on my boots. I made a mental note to check out the bakery/coffee shop and headed to the chair.
Holiday Valley has 10 chairlifts, a ski tow and a "magic carpet". The longest, the Mardi Gras Xpress Quad (4400 ft) was the one I selected for my first run of the 2000-2001 ski season. There were only a few people in front of me and I was on lift as fast as I could walk up to the chair. I rode up with a nice young lady from Ohio and learned that this was a favorite resort of skiers from the Buckeye State. It is the only large ski area within an easy drive. I warmed up with a run under the quad chairlift and was right back on the chair, riding to the top. My next run was down Champagne, a short black diamond run. It was groomed pretty flat and I was at the bottom in no time. I noticed that they had built a brand new lodge at the base of the Yodeler Quad chairlift and planned to check it out later.
I sped down Yodeler and took another run down Champagne and then cruised down Northwind back to the main lodge to check out the bakery/coffee shop, the smell of the cinnamon was still in my memory and it was time for a mid-morning coffee break.
After discussing the pros and cons of the various pastries with one of the ski instructors who was standing in line, I decided on a raisin bran muffin and some fresh-brewed coffee and was delighted in my choice. While I was enjoying my coffee, the Public Relations Director, Jane Eshbaugh came up to my table and introduced herself. She offered to give me the Grand Tour so I took a quick run and then spent the next few hours skiing all the trails that were open...and most of them were open and they indeed had plenty of snow.
Holiday Valley may not be a tall mountain (750ft. vertical) but they do have a lot of skiable terrain with 55 trails. They claim to be able to accommodate 10,000 skiers on a busy day. I was glad that I wasn't there on one of those busy days because the slopes were uncrowded, liftlines short and everyone I met was very friendly.
The cover was good on all the trails except for one we hit over by the Inn late in the day. I must say, they did a great job preparing the snow for so early. Mother nature also deserves a hand but everyone at the ski are had to hump to get so much open so early in the ski season.
We skied for hours and never seemed to ski the same trail twice. We systematically explored all the trails and has a very pleasant time. I was able to ski almost every trail at Holiday Valley and it was very enjoyable. Nothing was very steep and there weren't any moguls or ice. I was just run after pleasant run, chatting with the pretty PR director.
While we were chatting in the lift line, I mentioned that I had met Kelly Hilliman and her parents while I was at Lake Placid covering the Goodwill Games. She is an aerialist on the US Freestyle Team, who hails from Western New York and skied Holiday Valley many times. I was telling the story of how I met her father.
I rode up the chair with a man who was wearing the U.S. Olympic Team uniform from a couple of years ago. When I commented on it, he told me, "See this jacket, it cost me $50,000." He explained that he had spent at least that much money funding his daughter, Kelly's ski career. When he found out I was originally from Buffalo and hear my name, I was astounded to find out that his sister had been married to one of my cousins! As I told Jane the story, she said "There they are" and sure enough there were Kelly's parents in front of us in the lift line. We all chatted for a few minutes when we got off the chair and I learned the Kelly was scheduled to participate in the Christmas Camp (December 27th-30th) which is going to be held for racing, freestyle, snowboarding and masters at Holiday Valley. I told the Hillimans that I was interested in interviewing Kelley and headed down the hill. Having the niece of one of my cousins on the Olympic Freestyle Team is as close as I'll ever get to being a freestyle star.
The scenery was just beautiful and the skiing was really nice. Nothing was too tough, so I didn't have to push myself the first day I was on the boards. After Jane left me on my own, I made a couple of additional runs and then headed to the new lodge at the base of Yodeler for a little lunch. They were still putting the finishing touches on the building but it really looked nice. All the facilities at Holiday Valley are first class and this new addition was no exception. The focal point of the lodge is a double fireplace. There is a bar in one corner and food on the other side. There were TABLECLOTHS on the tables and the open design of the building was very pleasant. The food line featured a brick oven to cook pizza and met with approval from this writer.
After sampling their luncheon fair, I was back on the slopes. By the end of the day, thing were beginning to get a little scratchy and I was all skied out. I had skied every trail that was open and a few of them more than once. I was just a little tired but I had not over done it. I was experiencing that nice tired feeling that comes with a good day on the hill. After skiing all day, I picked up my things and headed to the care, a tired but happy camper.
I enjoyed the scenery on the ride back to Buffalo and a wonderful meal prepared by my cousin Mary Lou. The people in Buffalo don't know how lucky they are. They have so many wonderful recreational areas within an hours drive. Holiday Valley may not be as big as Killington or as challenging as Mad River but it is very close to a number of major metropolitan areas. The people of Western New York have a really nice ski area close by at Holiday Valley and the next time I am visiting my family in Buffalo, I'll make it a point to bring my skis and drop in again at this pleasant, friendly ski area.
If you are going to be in Ohio, Northern Pennsylvania or Western New York and have never visited Holiday Valley, here are some of the coming events:
December 2 Ellicottville Christmas Stroll. A wonderful celebration of winter to come with a living Nativity, visit from Santa and his "reindogs", caroling, cookies and wagon rides.
December 16 Ski & Snowboard Demos. Over 20 skis and snowboard manufacturers represented. Demos are free, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
December 27 - 30 Christmas Camps for race, freestyle, snowboarding and masters.
December 31 New Years Party & Fireworks. Celebrating the new year with music, torchlight parade and fireworks!
January 2 - 5 Kids Ski & Stay FREE week. All junior lift tickets are free with purchase of adult ticket. Kids stay free at Holiday Valley lodging.
January 2 - 8 Canadian Friendship Week. Lift tickets at Par for Canadian cash.
Ellicottville Winter Blues Festival
January 6 Passholder Ski Seminar. A one day clinic just for season passholders concentrating on versatility on terrain and snow conditions.
January 8 - 12 Kids Ski & Stay FREE week. Junior lift tickets free with purchase of adult ticket.
January 13 Women's Ski Seminar. A one day clinic just for women, $75 includes lunch. Lift ticket not included.
January 20 Shaped Ski Seminar. One day clinic designed to show you how to get the most from your new shaped skis, $65 plus lift ticket.
January 21 Buffalo Boards Boarder Cross. Watch or participate as riders try to beat each other on a course of bumps, jumps and rolls.
January 27 Adult Snowboard Seminar . A one day clinic designed to introduce you to the fun of snowboarding!
Urban Surf Shop USASA Halfpipe Competition. Watch or participate as riders do tricks in the half pipe.
January 29 Take Your Daughter to the Snow Week through 2/4. Let's get women on the slopes!
January 29 - February 4 Take Your Daughter to the Snow Week through 2/4. Let's get women on the slopes!
February 4 Ski Market Underground Boarder Fest. A half pipe and boarder cross event for snowboarders and freeskiers.
February 10 Short Shaped Ski Clinic. A one day clinic for all abilities introducing the "magic" of the new short shaped skis. $65 plus lift ticket
Buffalo Boards Boarder Cross. Watch or participate as riders try to beat each other on a course of bumps, jumps and rolls.
February 24 Bump Clinic. A one day clinic designed to help you master the moguls. $65 plus lift ticket.
Annual Penguin Paddle . Fundraiser for Bill Lounsbury Adaptive Program where participants slide down the slope on their belly "penguin style"!
March 3 - 4 Jimmie Heuga Snow Express for Multiple Sclerosis. Teams of 3 compete to raise money for MS and ski fast! Winners get all expenses paid trip to finals in Vail.
NYS Freestyle Competition. Aerials, moguls and acro competitions.
Jeannie Thoren Ski Clinic. A one night, two day clinic just for women, concentrating on getting the most out of your equipment and having fun!
March 6 Jeannie Thoren Alumni Clinic. A one night, one day clinic for women who have attended a Thoren clinic in the past.
March 10-11 Annual Winter Carnival . The grand-daddy of all events! Fun for everyone featuring parades, music, contests, food and fun.
March 10 Buffalo Boards Boarder Cross. Watch or participate as riders try to beat each other on a course of bumps, jumps and rolls.
March 12 Spring Rates & Packages Begin. Approximately 25% off lift tickets and lodging packages.
March 14 Cabin Fever Fest. Pick up a coupon at participating shops for discounted lift ticket today. Fun events and demos.
March 17 Northwind Super G. Your chance to let 'em run!
March 24 Bump or Burn Mogul Contest. Dual mogul competition that tests your skill and your endurance.
March 31 Spring Pond Skimming Party. Get ready to get wet. Wild costumes and fun guaranteed!
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