Crowds from all over head to the slopes at Holiday Valley for opening day

ELLICOTTVILLE — At Holiday Valley in Ellicottville, it’s that time of the year again to strap on your skis or buckle into your board. Friday was opening day at the resort and even though only five slopes were open that didn’t stop people from coming.

Dan Seelig, from Attica New York, says, “There’s nothing more excited than looking forward to the first day and luckily we had a half-day at school so came out right after school. The conditions are okay but it's open and no one else is so it’s exciting being out there.”

People traveled from all over for the big day including from up north where the border is now open for Canadian travelers.

Donna Kulchyk, from Oakville Ontario, says, “Now that they have gotten rid of the PCR testing we don’t have to do that if it's 72 hours or less so it makes it a lot easier.”

Canadians coming into the United States no longer have to take a covid test when they return to Canada if the trip is 72 hours or less. That means more businesses for Holiday Valley and Ellicottville which was ready to welcome our Canadian neighbors back after over a year.

Jane Eshbaugh, the Director Of Marketing at Holiday Valley, says, “Normally about 20 percent of our total visitors are Canadians so it’s a big part of our market and they have been so excited to come back. A lot of them own property here and haven’t been able to come.”

The goal is to get more slopes open soon as long as it’s cold enough to make more snow.

“Whenever we can make snow right now we will make snow,” said Eshbaugh.

With the parking lot filled with cars, some plan to spend the whole weekend at the resort until they come back again.

“Looking forward to getting out, they do a great job of making snow so the conditions are good in the area, and I look forward to getting in a lot of days this year,” said Seelig.

Even though they only have five slopes open right now, Holiday Valley’s goal is to have all 60 slopes open by Christmas.