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    New York, USA

    Holiday Valley

    Ski 290 acres across five mountain faces in Ellicottville, NY. 60 trails, 39 lit for night skiing and 180 inches of lake-effect snow annually.

    Season 2025 - 2026
    Opens
    6 Dec 2025
    Closes
    29 Mar 2026
    Days open
    113
    Annual snow
    11ft
    The Overview
    MF
    Michael Fulton
    Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.

    Holiday Valley opened on 7 January 1958 with four trails and a single T-bar, funded by shares sold for $100 each from a card table in an Ellicottville car park. The Win-Sum Ski Corporation raised enough to purchase 30 acres for $1,050, and from that modest beginning the resort has grown into the largest ski area in Western New York — now covering 290 acres across five mountain faces, with 60 runs served by 13 lifts.

    The terrain profile is notably beginner-friendly at 37% green, 25% intermediate, 36% advanced and 2% expert, but the wide footprint across two valleys creates a ski area that skis considerably larger than its vertical of 750 feet suggests, with the five distinct terrain pods — each with its own character — giving the mountain genuine variety from the tight deciduous woods of the Snowpine area to the manicured pine-lined runs of the Tannenbaum zone. Ski Magazine has ranked Holiday Valley in its top ten Eastern resorts consistently, and two Holiday Valley products — freestyle skiers Jill Vogtli and Travis Mayer — competed in moguls at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.

    The resort's night skiing operation is one of the most extensive in the Eastern United States, with 39 of the 60 trails lit for evening sessions — a figure that reflects Holiday Valley's orientation toward the regional day-trip and after-work market between Buffalo, Toronto, Pittsburgh and Cleveland.

    The Sky High Mountain Coaster near the Tannenbaum Lodge runs a 2,490-foot track through the woods and operates year-round, adding a non-ski activity that extends the resort's appeal across seasons. The Lounsbury Adaptive Program provides tailored ski and snowboard instruction for visitors with physical and cognitive disabilities, and with approximately 500,000 annual visitors, Holiday Valley is Cattaraugus County's principal tourist attraction.

    820ft
    Vertical
    60
    Runs
    290 acres
    Skiable
    11ft
    Annual snow
    The Terrain

    60 runs across 290 acres skiable

    Holiday Valley spreads 60 runs across 290 acres skiable of terrain. It leans beginner at 37%, with 22 beginner runs to find your feet and 23 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.

    Terrain split
    60
    runs
    60 runs across 4 grades
    Beginner22 runs · 37%
    Intermediate15 runs · 25%
    Advanced22 runs · 36%
    Expert1 run · 2%
    Time it right

    When to visit Holiday Valley

    Holiday Valley operates from early December through to mid-April, with the 2025/26 season running 6 December to 13 April. The resort averages approximately 180 inches of annual snowfall — roughly double the annual totals recorded at competing resorts in Pennsylvania and the Catskills — driven by its position approximately 30 miles from Lake Erie, which delivers lake-effect snow systems reliably from late autumn through early spring.

    Lake-effect events at this latitude produce high-frequency, moderate-intensity snowfall that accumulates steadily across the season and supplements the extensive snowmaking system to maintain a consistent base across all 290 acres. The current 2025/26 season has logged a base depth of around 24 inches with a season total approaching 88 inches as of early March, reflecting the reliable mid-winter accumulation the Western New York snowbelt regularly produces.

    The combination of 180 inches of natural snowfall and 95% snowmaking coverage gives Holiday Valley one of the more dependable operating records of any Eastern US resort, with conditions remaining skiable well into April most years. The après-ski culture around Holiday Valley is well established, with the village of Ellicottville one mile from the base offering a concentration of restaurants, bars and accommodation that the resort directly benefits from — and which Ski Magazine has ranked among the better après destinations in the Eastern US, not far behind Tremblant and Killington in reader surveys.

    College students access the mountain at a reduced rate on Sunday through Thursday evenings, and the Locals Sunday programme provides discounted access for residents within a one-hour radius including Buffalo, Erie and the Southern Ontario communities that make up a significant share of the resort's repeat visitor base.

    Season 2025 - 2026
    6 Dec 2025
    Opens
    29 Mar 2026
    Closes
    113
    Days open
    11 ft
    Annual snow
    Getting there

    Getting to Holiday Valley, and where to stay

    Holiday Valley sits in Ellicottville in Cattaraugus County in the Southern Tier of New York State, on the edge of the Allegheny Plateau at the intersection of US Route 219 and the Western New York ski country belt. The resort is approximately 60 miles south of Buffalo, 90 miles from Rochester and around three hours from Toronto, placing it within a catchment area of some 10 million people in the Buffalo–Toronto–Pittsburgh–Cleveland corridor.

    Buffalo Niagara International Airport is the primary air gateway, around 65 miles north via Route 219, with a drive of under 90 minutes from the terminal to the resort base lodge under normal conditions. The Southern Ontario market is substantial enough that the resort operates dedicated information for Canadian visitors, and the strengthened cross-border ski traffic in this corridor reflects Holiday Valley's proximity to Hamilton, Toronto and the Greater Golden Horseshoe.

    The village of Ellicottville, a one-mile walk or short drive from the ski area, functions as a genuine mountain town rather than a purpose-built resort development — restaurants, bars, rental shops, accommodation and galleries occupy a compact main street that predates the resort and retains its own character independent of it.

    Holimont, the other ski area in Ellicottville and one of the largest private ski clubs in North America, occupies the opposite side of town from Holiday Valley and is open to the public on weekdays, giving visitors to the area access to a second distinct mountain without driving. The Inn at Holiday Valley, which opened in 1995 and sits directly at the ski area base, provides ski-in accommodation for guests who prefer immediate slope access, and the resort's year-round calendar — golf, mountain biking, Sky High Adventure Park and the mountain coaster through spring and summer — gives Ellicottville material to draw visitors beyond the ski season.

    Where to stay

    Search all stays →

    Hotels and lodges near Holiday Valley, powered by Stay22.

    Latest News

    From the SnowStash desk

    View all news →
    Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026

    Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026

    Mount Buller closes out its 2026 season this Sunday, joining Falls Creek, Hotham and Charlotte Pass in a cluster of closures landing almost simultaneously and roughly a month ahead of schedule. The culprit is stark: Spencers Creek's benchmark snow depth hit 31.2cm on 3 September, just 18% of the 73-year average and an all-time low for this point in the season. Six of Victoria and NSW's best-known resorts will have shut their lifts early within a span of about two and a half weeks.

    4 Sept 2026
    Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season

    Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season

    Tremblant has confirmed a major expansion of its Quebec ski area, with a new Timber Summit sector adding 62 acres of terrain, eight trails and a high-speed quad chairlift for winter 2027/28. It's part of a CAD 42.5 million investment that also includes a new beginner learning zone at Versant Soleil opening this coming season. The project has grown considerably since it was first announced back in 2020, when it carried a far smaller budget and an opening date that never eventuated.

    2 Sept 2026
    Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6

    Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6

    We knew when the Bird Bath Pond Skim showed up on Hotham's Instagram that the season was on its way out. It's been a rough one - I only managed two days on snow all year, at Falls Creek - and now Baw Baw, Selwyn and Hotham have all called it, possibly the worst Australian season I've seen in a decade. Hotham's last day of lift operations is Sunday, 6 September, with a Retro Day, Father's Day après and closing sales before the lifts stop turning for good.

    1 Sept 2026
    Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028

    Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028

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    31 Aug 2026
    Aerial Tram Collides With Crane at Alpe d'Huez: 23 Injured

    Aerial Tram Collides With Crane at Alpe d'Huez: 23 Injured

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    28 Aug 2026
    Why Glaciers Are Collapsing - And What Happens When They Do

    Why Glaciers Are Collapsing - And What Happens When They Do

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    27 Aug 2026
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    Pitztal Glacier Set to Reopen for the 2026/27 Ski Season on 26 September

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    26 Aug 2026
    Unstable Glacier Above Randa Puts Zermatt-Area Village on Alert

    Unstable Glacier Above Randa Puts Zermatt-Area Village on Alert

    A hanging glacier above the Swiss village of Randa, just south of Zermatt, has been shedding large chunks of ice for weeks, with authorities warning more break-offs are likely. A danger zone has been closed off since June, though officials say the village's 479 residents aren't at risk. It's a familiar pattern for this glacier - it's done this before, in 1819, 1972 and 1973 - but a reminder of how closely Alpine authorities now watch terrain once considered stable.

    26 Aug 2026

    Holiday Valley Lift Tickets

    Holiday Valley lift tickets & passes

    The 2025 - 2026 season at Holiday Valley closed on Mar 29, 2026. Check back for next season's opening date and ticket pricing.

    Day passes start from US$35, with peak rates up to US$99.

    5 pass options
    Buy passes ↗

    Single-day passes

    Adult 18–64

    Adult Daily Ticket

    US$69up to US$99 peak

    Experience Holiday Valley's premier skiing in charming Ellicottville with 60 trails and 13 lifts across 290 skiable acres. This four-season resort offers diverse terrain, night skiing, and the authentic atmosphere of Western New York's ski town.

    Buy pass
    Youth 13–17

    Youth Daily Ticket

    US$59up to US$89 peak

    Youth lift tickets at Holiday Valley provide access to excellent skiing in Ellicottville with night skiing options and diverse terrain. Perfect for young skiers and riders enjoying Western New York's premier mountain resort community.

    Buy pass
    Child 0–6

    Children 6 & Under Free

    Free

    Children ages 6 and under ski free anytime at Holiday Valley! Perfect for families exploring Ellicottville's charming ski town atmosphere with excellent learning terrain and family-friendly amenities throughout the resort.

    Buy pass

    Half-day passes

    Youth 18–25

    College Student Night Skiing

    US$35

    Holiday Valley offers $35 night skiing tickets for college students Sunday through Thursday with valid college ID. Experience night skiing in Ellicottville's authentic ski town atmosphere at an affordable student rate.

    Buy pass

    Season passes

    Adult 13–99

    Holiday Valley Season Pass

    US$899up to US$999 peak

    Holiday Valley season passes provide unlimited access to Western New York's premier ski resort in charming Ellicottville. Experience 60 trails, night skiing, and authentic ski town atmosphere with lodging and dining options.

    Buy pass

    Lift tickets FAQ

    How much does a Holiday Valley day pass cost?+
    Holiday Valley day passes range from US$35 to US$99 depending on the date and advance booking.
    Can I buy Holiday Valley lift tickets online?+
    Yes, you can purchase tickets directly from the resort website or at the resort ticket office.
    Are there discounts for multi-day passes?+
    Yes, multi-day packages typically offer significant savings compared to individual day passes. The per-day cost decreases with longer stays.
    What is included with a Holiday Valley lift ticket?+
    Full access to all lifts and trails at Holiday Valley, including mountain safety and patrol services.
    What is the difference between Holiday Valley lift tickets and ski passes?+
    "Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at Holiday Valley - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
    When should I buy Holiday Valley lift tickets for the best price?+
    Purchase tickets at least 7 days in advance for the best rates, and consider weekday visits for further savings over weekend rates.
    Does Holiday Valley offer group discounts on lift tickets?+
    Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact Holiday Valley directly for group booking information and rates.
    How can I check current conditions before buying tickets?+
    Before purchasing, check the live snow report and mountain webcams to see current weather, snow conditions, and lift operations at Holiday Valley.

    More Holiday Valley intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.