News
New Year’s Celebrations Christmas ’08 is now a memory, but now begins the New Year’s Eve celebrations and New Year’s Day activities. Holiday Valley will once again host their Annual Torch Light Parade that starts at 11:30 pm followed by the traditional fireworks at 11:45 pm. The Valley expects to have all 56 slopes operating, weather permitting. All of the area restaurants are gearing up for the New Year’s festivities and most will have special menus. Try Surf ‘N Turf at The Barn Restaurant, or crab legs and prime rib at The Birdwalk. Tips Up is also planning to serve special New Year’s food items. You can always expect some special entertainment during the holidays. Balloons Restaurant and Nightclub will be offering live music by Mo’ Porter from 5 – 9 pm followed by a DJ until 4 am. The Double Diamond will be featuring one of the best bands in the area with The Tripper Harrison Band. The Gin Mill will be heading into the New Year with The Headers from 9 pm until 1 am. These are just a few of our local establishments that will be providing us with entertainment, be sure to check out all the others. January 1st - Polar Bear Series of Runs & Walks - 5K Run/Walk Special event coordinated by The Olean YMCA and held on January 1st at St. Bonaventure University. Check out the Olean YMCA’s website at www.oleanmca.org for all the details and registration form. January 5th – 9th - Canadian Friendship Week The year 2009 begins with our annual Canadian Friendship Week which starts January 5 and runs until January 9. A week for our friends across the border! Holiday Valley will be accepting Canadian money at par for lift tickets.
Although many people often think of Holiday Valley for its skiing renown, this month the slopes will be used by the elite of another sport—Bowhunting. From August 20th through the 23rd, Ellicottville should be filled with thousands of extra people, as competitors come from around the world for the 2008 World Bowhunting Championships. The Championships are an International Bowhunting Organization event. Because of this, over 2,000 competitors will come to Ellicottville from the world over. Once here, they will compete on twenty man-made courses across the Holiday Valley grounds. On these courses, competitors will stand up to forty yards away from their targets, which will be 3D models of animals. The archer who can hit these targets the best will walk away with a World championship title. All those in the running must be qualified to enter, and additional qualifying rounds begin on the 21st. In addition to the World title, those who make rank face other, more lucrative chances: over $200,000.00 in cash and prizes will be disbursed to the winners. Archers who aren’t world-elite can also enjoy the weekend, thanks to Holiday Valley. The hosting resort will offer an Archery Festival during the competition dates. For forty dollars, pre-registered archers can try their hand at the same course as the World Championship competitors, but without the pressure. Additionally, a Future Bowhunters event will be run for the younger champions of tomorrow.