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© 2026 SnowStash. All rights reserved.

    New York, USA

    Holimont

    135 acres, 55 runs near Ellicottville. North America's largest private ski club, lake-effect powder.

    Season 2025 - 2026
    Opens
    13 Dec 2025
    Closes
    5 Apr 2026
    Days open
    113
    Annual snow
    13ft
    The Overview
    MF
    Michael Fulton
    Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.

    HoliMont's summit reaches 2,260 feet, dropping 702 vertical feet to a base at 1,558 feet across 55 runs spread over 135 acres near Ellicottville in western New York. Terrain splits 44 per cent advanced, 31 per cent intermediate and 25 per cent beginner, with no expert-rated runs, and average annual snowfall of roughly 150 inches from the region's lake-effect weather patterns. Five lifts, including two quad chairs and two triple chairs, serve the mountain alongside one double chair and two surface lifts.

    HoliMont operates as North America's largest private ski club, a genuinely distinctive model in the industry that keeps its slopes notably uncrowded relative to comparably sized public resorts. The mountain welcomes the public on weekdays while reserving weekend access for members, a structure that shapes the entire visitor experience.

    William Merk, inspired after witnessing the 1932 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, pursued his passion for skiing in the Ellicottville area for years with the Ellicottville Ski Club before deciding to establish a private club of his own. In 1961, Merk initiated purchase options on land parcels along Route 242 with the backing of local investors, who coined the name HoliMont from the phrase Holiday Mountain. The first trail was cut in 1961, with seven more following in 1962, the club's official first season.

    HoliMont has continued operating as a private, member-focused ski club since its founding, maintaining its distinctive weekday-public, weekend-members structure across more than six decades. Adult weekday daily tickets run from 75 to 85 US dollars, with substantially discounted rates for military members on Fridays.

    702ft
    Vertical
    55
    Runs
    135 acres
    Skiable
    13ft
    Annual snow
    The Terrain

    55 runs across 135 acres skiable

    Holimont spreads 55 runs across 135 acres skiable of terrain. It leans advanced at 44%, with 14 beginner runs to find your feet and 24 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.

    Terrain split
    55
    runs
    55 runs across 4 grades
    Beginner14 runs · 25%
    Intermediate17 runs · 31%
    Advanced24 runs · 44%
    Expert0 runs · 0%
    Time it right

    When to visit Holimont

    The 2025-26 season at HoliMont ran from 13 December 2025 to 5 April 2026, a roughly sixteen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 150 inches, among the higher totals in New York State thanks to the region's lake-effect weather patterns off Lake Erie.

    Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent lake-effect powder conditions to the club's advanced-and-intermediate-weighted terrain. As North America's largest private ski club, HoliMont maintains a distinctive access structure, welcoming the public on weekdays while reserving weekends for members, keeping the slopes notably uncrowded relative to comparably sized public resorts.

    This weekday-public, weekend-members model shapes visitor patterns throughout the season, with weekday visitors drawn by the promise of substantial lake-effect powder without the crowds typical of public resorts on similar terrain. School holiday periods bring some increase in weekday public visitation given the substantial advanced and intermediate terrain on offer.

    Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. HoliMont's continuous operation as a private club since its 1961 founding by William Merk and local investors continues to define its seasonal character. The club's reputation for reliable lake-effect powder and uncrowded slopes remains central to its appeal each winter.

    Season 2025 - 2026
    13 Dec 2025
    Opens
    5 Apr 2026
    Closes
    113
    Days open
    13 ft
    Annual snow
    Getting there

    Getting to Holimont, and where to stay

    HoliMont sits near Ellicottville in western New York, with a base elevation of 1,558 feet and a summit at 2,260 feet across a 702-foot vertical drop over 135 acres. This western New York setting places the club within the broader Ellicottville ski area cluster, a well-known regional ski destination.

    Ellicottville, a lively small village with dining, shopping and lodging, sits within a short drive of the club, providing a genuine mountain-town base for members and weekday public visitors alike. Buffalo, the nearest larger city, lies within a reasonable drive, providing the club's primary metropolitan visitor base.

    New York State Route 242 provides direct access to the club, running through the heart of the Ellicottville ski area cluster. Winter driving conditions on this route can include snow and ice, particularly given the region's substantial lake-effect snowfall, though the road is well maintained given its role serving multiple ski areas. There is no direct public transport service to the club.

    Buffalo Niagara International Airport, within a reasonable drive, is the nearest airport with substantial commercial service, making HoliMont accessible for visitors flying into western New York. This proximity to Buffalo supports the club's role as a significant private skiing destination for the region.

    Where to stay

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    Hotels and lodges near Holimont, powered by Stay22.

    Latest News

    From the SnowStash desk

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    Holimont Lift Tickets

    Holimont lift tickets & passes

    The 2025 - 2026 season at Holimont closed on Apr 5, 2026. Check back for next season's opening date and ticket pricing.

    Day passes start from US$30, with peak rates up to US$85.

    5 pass options
    Buy passes ↗

    Single-day passes

    Adult 18–64

    Weekday Daily Ticket

    US$75up to US$85 peak

    Experience Holimont - America's largest private ski resort with 55 trails and 700 feet of wall-to-wall snowmaking. Open to the public weekdays only, Holimont offers exclusive skiing in Ellicottville with pristine grooming and short lift lines.

    Buy pass
    Youth 13–17

    Youth Weekday Ticket

    US$65up to US$75 peak

    Youth weekday access to Holimont's exclusive private ski resort experience with 55 trails and excellent terrain. Perfect for young skiers enjoying America's largest private resort during public weekday access in Ellicottville.

    Buy pass
    Child 0–5

    Children 5 & Under Free

    Free

    Children ages 5 and under ski free at Holimont during weekday public access! Experience America's largest private ski resort with excellent learning terrain and family-friendly atmosphere in Ellicottville.

    Buy pass
    Adult 18–99

    Military Friday Special

    US$30

    Active and retired military personnel receive special Friday pricing at Holimont for just $30 with valid ID. Experience exclusive private resort skiing in Ellicottville with pristine conditions and exceptional service.

    Buy pass

    Multi-day passes

    Adult 13–99

    Weekday Experience Pass

    US$599up to US$699 peak

    Holimont Weekday Experience Pass includes 10 weekday lift tickets, 2 half-price tickets, and 2 lessons. Perfect for experiencing America's largest private ski resort with pristine grooming and exclusive atmosphere throughout the season.

    Buy pass

    Lift tickets FAQ

    How much does a Holimont day pass cost?+
    Holimont day passes range from US$30 to US$85 depending on the date and advance booking.
    Can I buy Holimont 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 Holimont lift ticket?+
    Full access to all lifts and trails at Holimont, including mountain safety and patrol services.
    What is the difference between Holimont lift tickets and ski passes?+
    "Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at Holimont - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
    When should I buy Holimont 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 Holimont offer group discounts on lift tickets?+
    Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact Holimont 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 Holimont.

    More Holimont intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.