Most ski towns have one mountain. Ellicottville has two, and they sit minutes apart on either side of a village you can walk end to end. Holiday Valley and HoliMont each have their own character. Knowing the difference is the key to a great ski day here.
The quick comparison
| Holiday Valley | HoliMont | |
|---|---|---|
| Access | Public, open to everyone all season | Semi-private: public on weekdays, members and invited guests on weekends |
| Best for | Night skiing, terrain parks, big weekends, first-timers | Quieter slopes, the terrain park, families, weekday turns when open to the public |
| Scene | Buzzing base village and lodge, full events calendar | Calmer club feel, short lift lines, consistent grooming, and lunch at Dina's at the Mont |
| Other seasons | Golf, the Sky High Adventure Park, pools, and festivals | Lift-access mountain biking and a growing bike park, plus groomed cross-country and fat-bike trails |
How to pick your mountain
Go to Holiday Valley if you want the full resort experience: night skiing under the lights, terrain parks, a lively base, and the widest range of terrain for mixed-ability groups. It is also the easiest choice for beginners.
Go to HoliMont on a weekday if you want a quieter mountain with a family, club atmosphere, shorter lift lines, and one of the best terrain parks in Western New York. It is a semi-private club, open to the public during the week and reserved for members and invited guests on weekends, so plan a weekday visit, ask about membership if you want the weekends too, and check their schedule first.
Both resorts have on-site rentals and lessons available daily.
Local move: Because the two resorts sit so close together, plenty of visitors split a trip across both. A lively Saturday at Holiday Valley, then a calmer weekday at HoliMont, gives you the best of each mountain. Our ski pass guide breaks down what each of those days actually costs and which pass covers it.
Time your ski day
- First chair: Get there early on weekends. The grooming is freshest and the lift lines are shortest before mid morning.
- Midday: Break for lunch a little early or a little late to skip the lodge rush.
- Night skiing: Holiday Valley lights up the slopes after dark. It is one of the best reasons to ski here and a very different feel from the day.
- Check conditions first: Both resorts post live mountain reports and webcams. Look before you leave so you know what is open and how it is skiing.
Where to stay and park
The magic of Ellicottville is that the village, the lodging, and both mountains are all within a few minutes of each other. You can stay in town, walk to dinner, and be clicked in at either resort within a short drive. Arrive early on peak weekends, since base parking fills up fast.