Discover Western New York’s Hidden Ski Gem

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 snowstorms 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 fourth 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, with golf, biking, 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: 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 snowstorms, 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, laid-back atmosphere 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, from holiday markets in winter to food festivals in 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, 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, located right on the resort, offering 18 holes and picturesque mountain scenery. For the kiddos (and kiddos at heart), the Sky High adventure park has everything from an aerial obstacle course to a climbing forest to a mountain coaster. There are several great places to stay, like the slopeside Inn at Holiday Valley or Tamarack Club, which are great base camps for adventure. 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 it for yourself.

Holiday Valley, in Ellicottville, is western New York’s largest year-round resort, featuring 60 slopes and trails, 13 lifts, three base lodges, slopeside lodging and dining, conference facilities, an 18-hole golf course, a tree-top aerial adventure park, a mountain coaster, and a summer pool complex.