THE ELLICOTTVILLE WINTER SCENE
Ellicottville Slopes Will Be Ready for Christmas Week (12/19/2008)

Both Holiday Valley Resort and HoliMont report that conditions are prefect for natural snow and snowmaking. Thanks to our November snows both mountains maintain a substantial base.

Director of marketing at HoliMont Gina Andresen-Brady reports that; “HoliMont is now open for the 2008-2009 ski and snowboard season. Thanks to November’s natural snow and cold temperatures, the ski area was able to open early this year, boasting the earliest opening to members the weekend of November 22nd.

This season should be a great one at HoliMont, packed with great skiing and great events, including the annual Ski-Scape, January 4, 2009, providing a fun day of skiing, food and prizes to raise money and awareness for the Kids Escaping Drugs Campaign. Don’t forget the Weekday Ski Pass, 10 weekdays of skiing/snowboarding and 10 group lessons for only $200 if purchased before December 31st, 2008.

Along with completing the Phase two of their three-year snowmaking expansion project the area has also expanded its Terrain Park by adding new elements sure to challenge all jibbers. Check out the new VW beetle, HoliMont has added its newest Snow Cat, the areas 2nd winch cat to its fleet of snow groomers, allowing them to groom in even the most difficult conditions providing a great run every time.

Snowmaking operations continue and additional terrain and lifts will open as conditions permit. In addition, the forecast is calling for cold temperatures and a white Christmas and even whiter Christmas Week.”

Lift hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. Monday through Friday for members, non-members, and groups; 8:30 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for members and their invited guests.

For updated conditions, visit www.holimont.com or 1-877-SKI-HOLI (754-4654).

Holiday Valley has already had record breaking month of skiing and riding with the earliest opening day since 1995. Director of Marketing Jane Eshbaugh related to Special-E-Fects that; “The new snow/rain this past week gave Holiday Valley a nice thick blanket to fill in some of the thinner spots. It groomed in very nicely! We’ve been taking every opportunity to make snow when the temps drop and we’ve made some great progress. Our goal is to be in full operation by Christmas. The weather ahead is (mostly) positive, with natural snow and excellent snowmaking temps this weekend into next week. We encourage people to check the web site snow report www.holidayvalley.com for updates”.
The Holiday Valley Tubing Park is scheduled to open today, weather permitting Friday the 19th of December. Grab your friends and family and head over to the Holiday Valley Tubing Company. Tubing is fun for all ages. All you have to do is sit down, hang on and experience the exhilaration of pure winter fun! The Tubing Company has up to 12 lanes and 2 handle tows...we’ll pull you back up the hill! The Holiday Valley Tubing Company is located on Rt. 242, just 4 miles from Holiday Valley on the north side of Ellicottville. A free shuttle service is available during operating hours. Pickup is at the Resort Services Center turn around.

Weather permitting the Tubing Park will be open on Thursdays from 4 PM to 9 PM, Fridays from 4 PM to 10 PM, Saturdays from noon to 10 PM and Sundays from noon to 9 PM. The Park is also open during holidays, Christmas Eve the Tubing Park will be closed. Christmas day the park will open from noon to nine. Dec. 26 noon to 10, Dec. 27 noon to 10, New Years week the Park will operate daily from noon to nine. When in doubt call 699-TUBE! Please be aware that there is a minimum age/height requirement; children must be 7 years old and 42” tall. A special “Little Tubers” area is available, weather permitting, for younger children.

The Cattaraugus County Snowmobile trails took a beating with the mild and wet weather that occurred on this past week, even though the official opening was Thursday December 17, for obvious reasons the Enchanted Mountain Official Cattaraugus County Tourism office are not encouraging you to set trail Until we have a substantial snowfall. Fear not cold weather and lots of snow are in the forecast! For the latest updates on conditions visit. visitor@enchantedmountains.info or phone; 1-800-331-0543