Haven’t heard of Holiday Valley Resort? That’s exactly why it’s such a find. It’s a local favorite in western New York, just 45 minutes south of Buffalo, but it deserves to be on anyone’s must-visit list.
First, the skiing. It has everything you want in a ski mountain: Lake effect snow storms that churn up some of the best conditions in the entire state, a tight-knit community of friendly locals, and almost 70 years of independent operation. No wonder it was ranked 4th among the top 20 ski resorts in the east for 2026 by Ski Magazine readers.
But that’s just the start. While Holiday Valley’s bread and butter is winter skiing, the resort has also built up a reputation as a go-to summer destination. After the snow melts, the area serves as an all-season outdoor oasis, from golf to biking to adventure parks, and more.
Ski
The best way to describe Holiday Valley’s terrain: small but mighty. With less than 1,000 feet of vertical, the mountain still boasts 13 modern lifts and 60 runs with terrain for everyone from first timers to the most technical skiers and riders. Gladed runs and touring trails give you that quintessential East Coast skiing experience of cruising through picturesque snow-covered forests. Local tip: make sure to take the Tannenbaum Quad on a snowy day for views straight out of a holiday card.
Plus, while the mountain’s proximity to Lake Erie can kick up some pretty legendary lake effect snow storms, Holiday Valley prides itself on excellent grooming and snowmaking that keep conditions ideal all season long.
And you can experience all of it without the lift lines you’ll often find at bigger, corporate-owned resorts. Holiday Valley has always been independent, and takes pride in offering a more local and unique ski experience, with a friendly and laidback atmosphere that you simply can’t find anywhere but here.
Stay and Play
Aside from the skiing, one of the best parts about Holiday Valley is having an authentic ski town just a mile away from the resort. The Village of Ellicottville is everything you want in a mountain community: locally owned shops, great restaurants, bars and nightlife options. There are also community events all year long, from holiday markets in the winter to food festivals in the summer.
And you’ll find four seasons of fun here, making it a true year-round escape. Whether you’re an avid golfer, nature lover, or thrill seeker, or just looking to do nothing but relax and enjoy the scenery, there’s something for every kind of outdoor enthusiast.
For golfers, there’s the Double Black Diamond, which sits right on the resort and offers 18 holes and picturesque mountain scenery. For the kiddos (and kiddos at heart), there’s Sky High adventure park that has everything from an aerial obstacle course to a climbing forest to a mountain coaster. There’s also a number of great places to stay, like the slopeside The Inn at Holiday Valley or Tamarack Club, which act as great base camps for adventure. And if you want more of a home-away-from-home kind of experience, Holiday Valley Rental Management has plenty of properties to choose from for every kind of vacationer.
One trip here and you’ll understand why Holiday Valley is beloved by locals and keeps visitors coming back year after year: there’s something special and intangible about this place that you just have to experience for yourself.
Holiday Valley, in Ellicottville, NY, is Western New York’s largest year ‘round resort featuring 60 slopes and trails, 13 lifts, 3 base lodges, slope side lodging and dining, conference facilities, an 18-hole golf course, a tree top aerial adventure park, a mountain coaster and a summer pool complex.
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