Destination: Holiday Valley
Destination: Holiday Valley
After an epic (and socially distant) winter, Holiday Valley is humming full steam ahead with summertime activities. While the resort waits to see what kind of guidelines the state will pass down, it’s apparent that we are collectively doing our part to beat down COVID and get us back to normal. Much like the winter months, HV will offer a plethora of outdoor recreational activities great for the entire family.
GOLF
Scenic and challenging, the Double Black Diamond Golf Course combines dazzling hilltop views with a diverse course layout. While the Front is more traditional, the Back takes you into the hills — with elevation changes, sloped fairways and chairlift towers (reload if you hit one in flight!). The Golf Shop, stocked with clubs, apparel, and everything else you need complements the food service — McCarty’s for lunch and the beverage cart for drinks. An outstanding practice facility across the street from the resort offers a practice range, putting/chipping facility and instruction from the local pros. Sign up for tee times by calling the Golf Shop at 716-699-3939.
SKY HIGH
As unique as it is heart pounding, HV’s Sky High Adventure Park is a one-of-a-kind adventure you just can’t find anywhere else in WNY. The Aerial Park, with 13 courses of varying difficulty, takes you 10-15 feet off the ground (yellow) up to 80 feet (blue) and combines wooden, rope and chain obstacles interspersed with ziplines. In the 3D Climbing Forest, attach yourself to a self-belay and scamper up trees (think of a rock climbing wall) before floating back down to the ground. The Sky Flyer Mountain Coaster tick-tick-ticks its way to the top before zipping back down to the start. Book your adventure online at www.holidayvalley.com/skyhigh.
POOLS
Cool off this summer at Holiday Valley’s pool complex, featuring 3 pools, yard games and a Cabana Bar. Bring the little ones for the kiddie pool, take some laps in the lap pool or hit #TheSlide and diving board on the lower level! The Cabana Bar is the perfect stop for icy cocktails during your day in the sun or after a solid round of golf. While the resort waits on more concrete guidelines from the state, you can book your time slot at the pools by going to www.holidayvalley.com. The pool complex will open weekends beginning Memorial Day Weekend (May 29th) and will remain open daily beginning June 14th throughout the summer.
GEM MINING
The newest addition to Holiday Valley’s summertime activities, Gem Mining is great for both the fun experience and the fact that there’s no age limit. Here’s the rundown: head into the Harness Shop at Sky High Adventure Park (located next to Tannenbaum Lodge), pick up bags of the sand/dirt mixture and take it to the sluice and “mine” for treasure — a wooden frame with a screen on the bottom holds the treasure as you use the water to wash it away. Fossils, gems and other goodies are inside! A handy chart on-site offers information on what the kiddos find.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
There are plenty of great mountain biking trails! And new for this year — lift access for your bike at Spruce Lift! Carriers will be installed in the coming weeks to whisk you to Spruce to access resort trails or the 35+ miles of WNYMBA trails on State land. Mountain bike and E-Bike rentals available; trail maps and other info available at The Inn, Resort Services or the Harness Shop at Sky High. A quick reminder: mountain bikes are off limits at Sky High, and the flow trail will be reconfigured to take into account the construction of the new High Speed Quad at Yodeler. Keep it locked to HV’s social pages for updates.
CHAIRLIFT RIDES
Enjoy a slow, scenic ride to the top of the hill on the Spruce Chairlift (located next to Tannenbaum Lodge). Offload and cruise around Spruce Lake and venture on some of the many hiking trails throughout the resort. (FYI: Mardi Gras will be open for lift rides during the fall.) Once you’re finished up top, ride the chairlift back down or hike down the ski slope. Sorry, coolers and dogs are not allowed on the chairlift. Chairlift rides are $10 per rider, children 6 and under are free. Purchase lift rides at the Harness Shop at Sky High. For more info go to www.holidayvalley.com.
MUDSLIDE
The 10th Annual Holiday Valley Mudslide returns on Saturday, June 19th! Race against friends (and time) in the 3.5 or 5.4 mile races that take you through the heart of the resort. Don’t worry, the Mudslide doesn’t have barbed wire, fire-breathing dragons or anything of the sort — just fun in the mud. The Mudslide ends with a giant — you guessed it — mudslide at the end. Costumes are encouraged! With COVID restrictions still in place, be sure to read through the information at www.holidayvalley.com/mudslide to ensure you’re following proper protocols. Sign up today!
JOHN HARVARD’S
Grab a bite to eat at John Harvard’s restaurant, on-site at Holiday Valley! John Harvard’s offers a slopeside view during dining, with views of the pool complex and golf course. A diverse selection of craft and micro beers doesn’t let anyone go thirsty and it’s the perfect spot to grab lunch or dinner. John Harvard’s also offers an outdoor patio and poolside service.
ELLICOTTVILLE OASIS SPA
Relax and unwind at the Ellicottville Oasis Spa! Located inside the Tamarack Club, Oasis is open to the public and currently offers manicures, pedicures, facials and massage therapy. Oasis boasts the HydraFacial treatment, plus a litany of products you can take home with you. Come with a group, your significant other or just solo to work some of that stress of the last year off. Stringent COVID protocols will be followed, and keep checking in to the Oasis Facebook/Insta pages for updates. For more information on Oasis, head to www.holidayvalley.com/explore.
