Fall Adventures
Fall Adventures
Socially Distanced Fun at Holiday Valley
Get outdoors and celebrate autumn in Ellicottville each weekend through October. Get more details at holidayvalley.com
CHAIRLIFT RIDES
Mardi Gras & Spruce Lifts
Take a ride up the Mardi Gras or Spruce Lake chairlifts on Saturdays and Sundays during the month of October to view the spectacular fall leaves on the hillsides of Holiday Valley. Mardi Gras will operate from noon-4:00pm and Spruce Lake will operate from 11:00am-4:30pm, weather permitting. $10 per person, kids 6 and under are free. Please note: dogs, backpacks or bags are not permitted on the lift. For the extra adventurous, try the “Walk on the Wild Side!” For $20 you get one ride on Mardi Gras chair, one ride on Spruce Lake chair and one mountain coaster ride.
CLOTHING DRIVE
Dress the Scarecrow
Help Holiday Valley collect clothing for those in need! During the October Fall Foliage Weekends (October 3-4, 10-11, 17-18 and 25-26), Holiday Valley will be hosting an outdoor clothing drive called Dress the Scarecrow. Bring your gently used clean winterwear to the resort, and on your way to the Mardi Gras lift, you can dress a scarecrow that’s lining the walk. There are various sizes ranging from daddy scarecrows to mommy scarecrows to kid-size scarecrows, all sizes are welcome! Clothing will be donated to a local charity that distributes clothing to those in need.
SIDEWALK SALES
Golf & Mountain Shops
The Holiday Valley Golf Shop and Mountain Shops will have “Bargains Beyond Belief!” at the sidewalk sale set up at the base area of The Main Lodge. Shop discounted apparel and accessories from 11:30am-4:30pm each Saturday and Sunday through October. When visiting Holiday Valley, please don’t forget: Guests are required to wear a face covering at all times, except when seated to eat or drink. Please wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently. Hand sanitizer stations are available throughout the Holiday Valley grounds.
GUESS AND WIN!
The Giant Pumpkin
During your fall foliage trip to Holiday Valley, head over to the giant pumpkin staged at the bottom of the Mardi Gras chairlift and guess its weight for a chance to win a $20 Holiday Valley Gift Card. (Great photo op too!) Weekly winners through the month of October. After you take your guess, enjoy a hike on the trails at Holiday Valley ... or try the Geocaching treasure hunt! If two wheels are more your thing, explore the 32 miles of WNYMBA mountain biking trails on the state land behind HV. A detailed topographical map is available at the Inn at Holiday Valley front desk, $10 to support WNYMBA.
FALL SCRAMBLE
Off-Road Trail Run
With in-person races cancelled the last few months, an off road race a is great way to get back into it! Sunday, Oct. 11th at 9:00am. The Fall Scramble at Holiday Valley offers 4 and 8-mile off-road options and starts with a ride up the Spruce Lake chairlift to the top for the start! The 4-mile course is mostly flat or downhill on the Holiday Valley trails. The 8-mile course adds a challenging uphill to the mix. In order to keep everyone well spaced out throughout the course, various start windows will be set up. Arrive ready to run anytime during your start window and away you go! Details at runsignup.com.
HAWK/OWL SHOW
With American Hawkeye
Have you ever wondered what a falcon sounds like as it flies past your face at 60+ MPH, or what a hawk’s breath smells like? If you’re a nature enthusiast, bird nerd, photographer, or just love seeing cool things, Jonathan Clarkson of American Hawkeye has the perfect show for you! American Hawkeye Birds of Prey plans to have birds on display/flying at the top of Spruce the weekends of Oct. 3-4th and Oct. 17- 18th, weather permitting, from 11:00am-5:00pm, As a master falconer, Jonathan has been working with birds of prey most of his life, and he is proud to share the amazing world of falconry with the public.
SKY HIGH
holidayvalley.com/skyhigh
The largest in New York State and 3rd largest in the U.S., Sky High Aerial Park is a series of platforms, bridges, and ziplines built in a 4-acre section of the woods. There are 13 courses with varying levels of difficulty, so no worries, even the kids (ages 7 and up) will have plenty of action to play on. And we can attest that it is SAFE! At Sky High, everyone wears a harness with a special locking lanyard that safeguards you from falling. Sky High also boasts a Climbing Forest (also kid friendly, ages 5 and up), and a super fun Mountain Coaster that zigs, zags and spirals down the mountain. Experience Sky High among the fall foliage! Reservations recommended.
HOT DOG COOKOUT
Mardi Gras Mountaintop
If you’re planning on taking a relaxing ride up the Mardi Gras chairlift, be sure to bring a few bucks so you can enjoy a full belly once you get to the top! Hot dogs, sausages and burgers will be served each weekend in October on top of the mountain. Please remember: Fall Foliage weekends are family-oriented. No alcohol is permitted in lift lines, on the lift, or at the top of the mountain. If you’re looking to book an overnight stay at Holiday Valley, check out the Harvest Dinner Event Packages, which includes overnight accommodations, $75 in John Harvard’s credit, and a chairlift ride for each adult.