Tag Archive for: Ellicottville NY

Pat McCloskey

Cycling Series: Small Ski Town Turns To Bikes In Non-Snow Season

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Western New York Ski Town Has Lots Of Cycling Opportunities.

Western New York State has some awesome cycling terrain. Ellicottville is at the center. Credit: Pat McCloskey

Western New York State has some awesome cycling terrain. Ellicottville is at the center.
Credit: Pat McCloskey

One of the more interesting things that happens to a ski town is the metamorphosis that occurs after mud season.  Mud season is traditionally when spring rolls along and the snow melts and the locals in ski town head for vacation.  Soon after, the festivities that define the area in the “off season” begin.  Large ski areas are great with this transition but so are the smaller ski towns like Ellicottville, NY.  When summer comes to this region, the mountain bike and hiking trails come alive in the Allegheny National Forest and the riding/hiking  can compete with anywhere in the country.

Personally, my favorite loop is to ride from the Inn at Holiday Valley to the Race Loop at the ski area.  Then proceed to Big Merlin Trail, the Dead Dog Loop, to Sidewinder and back to Big Merlin and the Race Course Loop.  All these trails are available on www.mtbproject.com or also in a regular map provided by the Western New York Mountain Bike Association.  These trails are not too technical in nature, but there is some climbing.  Also, this loop can lead to miles of maintained trails in the Allegheny

Ellicottville is a cool place the just hang-out. Non-cycling spouses can browse in many boutiques. Credit: Pat McCloskey

Ellicottville is a cool place the just hang-out. Non-cycling spouses can browse in many boutiques.
Credit: Pat McCloskey

National Forest.  Check with Mud, Sweat and Gears , a very cool ski/board/cycle shop in the center of Ellicottville, for rental information as well as great choices of cycling clothing, accessories, and of course a wide selection of road and mountain bikes.

For those who have noniriding spouses, the town of Ellicottville has many shopping options including boutiques, ski shops turned to cycling and outdoors shops, and a myriad of restaurants including the John Harvard Brew Pub in the Tamarack Club at Holiday Valley Ski Resort.  The pot pie there is not to be missed.  Also, the Ellicottville Brewing Company (EBC)  has a weekly menu board of craft  beers produced on site for your post ride and post shopping enjoyment.  Their food is also great.

Lot to Trails

All of the trails leaving Ellicottville can be accessed from the parking lots at Holimont Ski Area or Holiday Valley Ski area via the Race Course Loop which is clearly marked.

Terrain

Typical Eastern Singletrack with some steep climbs but not terribly technical in nature.  Not hybrid friendly but mountain bike accessible.

Whether it is EVL or any other ski town, don’t miss the summer activities that are available in the “off season”.

Pat McCloskey

SeniorsSkiing Guide: HoliMont Ski Club, Ellicottville, NY

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What’s It Like To Ski At A Private Club?

History and Programs

HoliMont stages a host of racing programs. The resort is located in the western tier of New York state. Credit: HoliMont

HoliMont stages a host of racing programs. The resort is located in the western tier of New York state.
Credit: HoliMont

In 1932, William Merk observed the Winter Olympics at Lake Placid and vowed to start a ski area in his home in Western New York.  His years of skiing with the Ellicottville Ski Club on Fish Hill and the Greer and Holiday Valley peaks inspired him to start a private ski club in 1961.  The first trail was built in that year and seven more were cut the following year.  As chairlifts were installed in subsequent years, the membership grew to include not only local skiers, but a robust contingent of Canadians who loved the area and joined the membership.

Today, HoliMont is a vibrant private ski club—the largest one in North America— which has programs that include intra club racing, junior racing, junior alpine travel teams, snowboard and freestyle teams along with adaptive programs and a Christmas Ski Camp. They have a wonderful ski school that is affiliated with PSIA and several PSIA examiners and board members on staff.

Terrain 

HoliMont has eight lifts serving over 50 trails.  See the Trail Map for details.  The elevation is modest but with all those trails and lifts, you’ll be making lots of runs per day.  Key benefit of a private ski club:  No lift lines and great restaurants.

Culture

With eight lifts and over 50 trials, HoliMont is the largest private ski club in North America. Credit: Paul McCloskey

With eight lifts and over 50 trials, HoliMont is the largest private ski club in North America.
Credit: Pat McCloskey

With over 200 inches of natural snowfall coming off the Great Lakes, along with a state of the art snowmaking system, HoliMont has a lot to offer the membership.  But what about a guy like me who wants to ski there but is not a member?  Fear not, for HoliMont is open to the public during the week,  and you have the place virtually to yourself.  The atmosphere is pleasant as the area is very well run.  Families do come during the week, and you can see different generations of skiers eating lunch at a beautifully set table with crock pots simmering on the shelves in the lodge. The aromas are intoxicating. HoliMont is a family area whether you have a membership or you choose to come during the week.

Bottom Line

The trip to Ellicottville, NY, located about an hour south of Buffalo,  is noteworthy in that it is quite rural and beautiful with the snow covered farms and hillsides that line the way to the entrance to the town.  EVL, as it is called, is home to quaint establishments, ski and mountain bike shops, and great restaurants including the Ellicottville Brewery which is not to be missed.

For more information on membership, go to the HoliMont Ski Area website or call 716-699- 2320 for more information. Weekday rates for non-members are $56 for adults and $50 for 70+.  You can go on a weekend if your reservation is made by a member.  There is a limit to how many times you can ski on weekends, by the way.  Members can only invite the same guest a designated number of times. The weekend rates are adults $70.  There don’t appear to be weekend senior discounts.   If you go during the week, chances are you might see my wife and me.  We are the ones already enjoying the Lake Erie fluff.

Trail Map

Here’s the promo video from HoliMont.