Although you may have just retired your skis and boards for the season, the cool thing about Ellicottville is that the fine folks up at Holiday Valley Resort make sure they always have ‘something next’ on their constantly-evolving event calendar. Without wasting a moment, here are some of the exciting things you can expect in the coming months while you’re visiting town!
SKY HIGH ADVENTURE PARK
One of the most popular attractions in Ellicottville the previous two summers is none other than Sky High Adventure Park at Holiday Valley. The aerial portion of the park boasts a series of obstacle courses in a 4-acre section of woods near Tannenbaum Lodge. The platforms, which are built high up in the trees, are connected by bridges and zip lines. (Bridges may be in the form of a log, hanging chunks of wood or other obstacles or ladders.) The challenge is to figure out how to get across from one platform to the next. Don’t be fooled … it is not all strength; to be successful you’ll need strategy and balance.
Last season, Sky High added a 3-D Climbing Forest, which is essentially a series of bouldering holds of varying difficulties that allows climbers to ascend trees as high as 60’ and then rappel downwards from the top. This season the park is growing again! Over the past several months, the crew has been busy building a new black diamond (most difficult) course that is both challenging and thrilling.
Sky High Adventure Park also features a mountain coaster, a fun ride for all ages that bobs and weaves its way through the Tanenbaum woods area. (If you haven’t experienced the Mountain Coaster yet, put it on your to-do list for this summer!)
Holiday Valley’s Sky High Adventure Park opens for the 2014 season on May 2, with rates starting at $48. Call 716-699-HIGH for reservations and inquiries, or click over to www.holidayvalley.com/skyhigh for a full list of rates and options.
BICYCLE WEEKEND
A new event for the Ellicottville area is the recently created ‘Bicycle Weekend’ taking place June 6-8. It’s three days of cycling fun for riders and spectators who will no doubt enjoy the ideal road riding routes around Holiday Valley in Cattaraugus County, as well as exciting downtown bicycling events.
Often noted for the incredible road cycling in the area, now is the perfect chance for you to see for yourself all the area has to offer. The event is geared towards level 2 and 3 riders - those who regularly ride 30-50+ miles at a time on rolling (and sometimes steeper) hills.
Cost to participate in Bicycle Weekend as a rider is $259 per person (double occupancy) which includes Friday and Saturday night lodging at the Inn at Holiday Valley, three guided road rides (with sag wagon), cycling clinics and "light" instruction, meals, social activities and a goody bag full of cycling treats! You'll leave with new friends, new places to ride and some useful cycling tips. Commuter rate without lodging is $170.
Head downtown for even more excitement as the Chris Clark Bicycle Stunt Show rolls into town over the weekend, sponsored by Wingate By Wyndham.
“We are very excited to have Chris in the village for Bicycle Weekend,” stated Brian McFadden of the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce. “This event is geared towards children and young adults seeking an active outdoor lifestyle, and Chris is sure to excite event-goers of all ages.”
Click over to the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce’s website at www.ellicottvilleny.com for links to both Chris Clark and the road cycling events at Holiday Valley.
MUDSLIDE
An event that has quickly become a summertime favorite, the one and only Holiday Valley Mudslide will take place on Saturday, June 14. This is the third consecutive year for the “mudrun that's FUN!” Yes, you'll get muddy, yes there is running, yes there are nine obstacles but NO fire, NO barbed wire and NO electric shocks!
The 3.5-mile course starts at the top of the mountain at Spruce Lake (we'll even give you a ride up on a chairlift) and runs along the ridgeline then down the hill. The 5.4-mile course adds a bit of uphill running … just in case you're feeling especially tough. There is a max of 2,000 competitors with registration coming in at $60 for either run.
Rounding this out as a family-oriented event, the special “Kids Race” is just $5 (up to age 12), so there’s no reason to leave the little ones at home. Bring them with you and make a day of it!
Day of race registration is not available, and you must pre-register before June 1 to be guaranteed a t-shirt. All competitors will receive a goody bag and a super cool finisher's medal plus a hot dog and two beers (or beverages). If you're thinking about entering ... do it now at active.com!
With all that said, start looking forward to those warmer temps and the coming months ahead. Summer will be here before you know it, and it’s clear we have a lot to look forward to here in Ellicottville, NY!
