It sounds like a too-good-to-be-true place, some kind of utopia that couldn’t possibly live up to its name. After all, what’s better than a holiday? And where would you most like to spend your holiday?
Obviously, Holiday Valley. We love this quaint corner of western New York and all the fun activities it has to offer.
If you’re considering a visit to the area, you may have heard that it occasionally snows in and around Buffalo (by occasionally, we mean that we get an average of 180 inches of snow a year and we’re the most recent winners of the Golden Snowball for the most snowfall annually – are we bragging? Maybe a little.)
Reason #1: The Skiing.
Holiday Valley’s ski slopes have grown from a rope lift in the 1950s to today’s abundance of skiing options, including 13 lifts, 60 slopes and trails, and three base lodges. And, whether you’re a tourist or a local, you can enjoy all that Holiday Valley has to offer, as the ski resort is open to the public.
Season passes and flex passes make it easy to ski as much and as often as you like; if you’re a resident of a nearby area, this can be a great way to take advantage of several long weekends throughout the winter.
Reason #2: The summer fun.
If you’re not a skilled ski slope navigator, just plan your trip for the summer instead. You can spend the night at a nearby local hotel, like the Wingate by Wyndham Garden in Ellicottville, then rent road bikes or purchase passes for the aerial adventure park on the Holiday Valley property.
Reason #3: The Exploration (at Griffis Outdoor Sculpture Park).
Looking for more to explore? One of our favorite off-the-beaten-path places to explore around the Ellicottville area is Griffis Sculpture Park. This 400-acre wilderness is home to more than 250 sculptures integrated into the natural landscape
Because you could spend the entire day hiking and exploring, we recommend getting to spend the night, getting to the park early and staking out a perfect picnic location.
Bonus: parents of human and fur children can both enjoy the exploration, as the sculpture park is open to all. Double bonus: admission is on the honor system, so you can save a little more money for the next item that you should have on your list…
Reason #4: The Shopping.
Why should you go to Ellicottville? Well, the first thing that comes to mind for us is socks.
Yes, you heard that right. Visitors are practically mandated to stop in at perennial local favorite, The Purple Doorknob. The store is all about the feet and boasts more than 1,000 different offerings in its collection of whimsical, high-quality men’s, women’s and children’s socks.
Honestly, you could knock out all your Christmas stocking stuffers and white elephant gifts all in one place, purchasing footwear blazoned with astronaut doughnuts, farm animals, tacos and more. You’ll just have to see it to believe it.
This fun shop is just one of the many places to explore in Ellicottville’s downtown shopping district. With everything from fresh flowers to classic literature to herbal remedies, you’re sure to return back to your hotel laden with all kinds of good things to taste, savor and enjoy.
Reason #5: The Relaxation.
People vacation for many different reasons – to test their limits with feats of physical endurance. To unplug and recharge. To see something new. To celebrate something special.
There’s one thing almost every trip has in common, though. Travel is meant to be an opportunity to get out of your normal routine, to look at life differently and to take a break from the humdrum of normal life.
That’s one reason we love exploring Holiday Valley and Ellicottville so much; it’s an opportunity for respite from everyday life.
Whether you’re planning to have a lovely dinner at Villaggio (just steps away from our favorite Ellicottville hotel), share a sweet treat from Watson’s Chocolates with your special someone (we highly recommend the dark chocolate turtles), or enjoy a local brew from Ellicottville Brewing Company (we 1000% recommend the Chocolate Cherry Bomb), you’ll have the opportunity to step out of your routine and make memories from these new experiences in a leisurely, small-town setting.
If you’re ready to explore western New York and all it has to offer, make sure to set aside a long weekend for indoor and outdoor excursions in Ellicottville and at Holiday Valley. We know you’ll cherish the memories you make there.
