There’s Still Plenty of Winter to Enjoy
There’s Still Plenty of Winter to Enjoy
Holiday Valley Keeps the Season Going with Super Fun Events and Steller Fundraisers
Holiday Valley, voted #6 in the East by Ski Magazine readers and nestled next to one of the most iconic ski town villages, is gearing up for a number of exciting on-snow events to round out the 2022-’23 ski season. We’re listing just a few of them here, but keep tabs in the upcoming weeks… there’s plenty more to come!
TELESTOCK - A DAY OF PEACE, LOVE AND TELEMARK SKIING
Celebrate the art of telemark skiing! Hosted by The City Garage and set for Friday, February 24 at Holiday Valley, you can expect demos, dogs (hot dogs, that is) and happy tele-skiers - from the beginner to the pro.
What makes telemark skiing different from regular skiing? It’s all in the technique. It combines elements of both alpine and nordic skiing, using the rear foot to keep balance while pushing on the front foot to create a carving turn on downhill skis with toe-only bindings. In other words, free the heel, man!
Get to the Champagne Sundeck (Holiday Valley’s Yodeler Lodge) early to get your gear. If you’ve got tele equipment already, show up and join the fun! If you don’t, The City Garage will offer free boot and binding demos (mounted on their vast array of demo skis) for you to try out. They’ll have men’s, women’s and even a limited supply of kid’s stuff.
For more information on this year’s Telestock festivities, reach out to The City Garage at 716-699-2054 or better yet, stop by the shop, 5 Monroe Street, downtown Ellicottville. Follow @thecitygarage on Facebook and Instagram to keep tabs on additional details as they are released
SLIDE LIKE A PENGUIN
Another fan-favorite, this year’s Penguin Paddle will take place on Saturday, February 25 on the lower part of Holiday Valley’s Yodeler slope. As the name may suggest, it involves racing down the Yodeler ski slope on your belly - just like a penguin! Participants wear helmets and oversized garbage bags to make themselves extra slippery, all to support the Lounsbury Adaptive Ski Program, or LASP, for short.
Hundreds of Penguin Paddlers of all ages rush to this event each year to claim their share of tremendous penguin sliding fun! However, there are certainly other additional things to look forward to on this day that boosts the fundraising efforts for LASP. An outdoor lunch will be served starting at 11:00am to get everyone fat and happy like a good penguin should be! The silent auction, wine wall and raffle always features an amazing array of locally donated items to be won. We’re talking over 150 prizes - from gift baskets and ski gear to home decor and gift cards. Plus a 2023-'24 Holiday Valley season pass, a pair of skis from The City Garage and $400 in gift cards from Villaggio Restaurant in Ellicottville!
If you haven’t marked it on your calendar, write it down, get down and get silly. Toss away your dignity and slide down Yodeler like a true penguin! Additional details at holidayvalley.com.
BOARDROOM BANKED - YEAR 5
The Boardroom Banked Slalom on March 5 is a cool snowboarding event that not only cultivates a sense of community among snowboarders but also raises money for a cause. For the second year in a row, the beneficiary will be the P.U.N.T. Foundation of Buffalo, NY. This organization assists families of children with pediatric cancer and has become a very close resource for many in our area.
The hand-shaped banked slalom course will test the speeds of groms, men, women and the OG (original gangstas). Its location on Holiday Valley’s Champagne slope makes it a great event to spectate, plus there will be a vendor village and a cookout. Add in some swag, cool raffle items and custom trophies, and you’ll want to share in the stoke of the Boardroom Banked, organized by The Boardroom Snowboard Shop. Get details and register at boardsandpowder.com. (Note: Registration for this event always sells out, so get your spot reserved before it’s too late!)
RAIL RIDER JAMBOREE
Another March date to plug on your calendar is 3/18 - the Rail Rider Jamboree Music Festival. In its second year at Holiday Valley, festival-goers can expect a new location but the same level of awesomeness! Dark Star Orchestra will headline, following performances by Gantzer & Friends, Eggy, Grub, Buffalo Brass Machine and Bluegrass and Bloody's with Folkfaces. Food trucks, beverages, and hopefully a lot less rain! Grab your tickets at railriderjamobree.com and get ready to enjoy the vibe! Watch for a full feature article including interviews with the bands in future issues of ellicottvilleNOW.