How would New York be for a family holiday?

How to Go Skiing in Holiday Valley, New York

• Answer:

  Holiday Valley has been a New York treasure for 45 years. The valley has 53 trails, 35 percent of which are marked for beginners. The area is jam-packed with cozy slope-side lodging to accommodate 2,000 guests and you can find over 300 area condominiums, town homes and ski lodges in Ellicotville. Difficulty: Easy Things You'll Need Internet access Computer Telephone Instructions Book a Ski Trip to Holiday Valley Visit the Holiday Valley website to book accommodations online (see Resources below). You can stay on-site at the highly ranked Inn at Holiday Valley. You can also book luxurious accommodations at nearby condominiums and bed and breakfast inns from the website. Rates tend to be expensive. To book online with Holiday Valley, simply click on the 'online reservations' icon at the top of the page. Click on any of the several inns and lodges listed to make your reservation. Each inn has separate instructions for booking reservations, so refer to the website for specifics. You can also call Holiday Valley directly at 716-699-2345. Fly in to Buffalo International Airport, which is about an hour away from the Holiday Valley. Holiday Valley is located on NYS Rt. 219, and you can also drive there from surrounding cities like Rochester, Toronto, Pittsburgh or Cleveland. Try to book your ski trip 6 to 8 months in advance if possible to get the best deals on your vacation package, particularly if you want to ski on a weekend. You can generally count on adequate snow for skiing during the months of December through March. Find Information on Holiday Valley Check the snow report for Holiday Valley at the Holiday Valley website. You can also sign up at the site to have snow reports emailed to you. Know the mountain. You'll find a 750 foot vertical drop at Holiday Valley on a mountain with a top elevation of 2,250 feet. Although not particularly challenging for expert skiers, Holiday Valley is extremely popular, and its 1,100 acres of skiable terrain provide plenty of variety. Call the Snow Phones at 800-367-9691 to get the latest snow reports for New York from the road. Tips & Warnings Tip: Book online and early. Online booking provides 24-hour a day convenience and allows you to make reservations before accommodations at this perennially crowded resort fill up with New York locals. Tip: Check the ski conditions, snow reports, mountain statistics, road reports and avalanche advisories prior to leaving for your ski trip.