2014 Ski & Entertainment Guide

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2014-15 Ski & Entertainment Guide Page 2 The Salamanca Press

Page 3 The Salamanca Press 2014-15 Ski & Entertainment Guide

Table of ContentsA message from the editor ...You don’t have to live or stay in Cattaraugus County long to

know beauty in this area takes many different forms. From budding flowers in spring to green grass and crisp, blue

lakes in summer to blazing colors in autumn, there’s breathtak-ing moments even before this time of year.

But even in winter, when driving is more difficult and shovel-ing is a must, the snow delivers a picturesque landscape those in other parts of the country just don’t get the opportunity to expe-rience.

And that’s not even considering the fact that a fresh coating of snow offers plenty of activities and entertainment not avail-able in our other three seasons of the year.

On behalf of the staff at The Salamanca Press, located only minutes from both downtown Ellicottville and Allegany State Park, we’re proud to bring you the 2014-15 edition of the Ski & Entertainment Guide. We’ve been publishing this edition for more than two decades, a testament to our commitment to pro-viding everyone from permanent residents to day-trippers a dependable source for area winter news and updates.

Thanks for choosing us again and warm wishes this winter season. May you enjoy everything this region has to offer.

Sincerely,

Rich Place Managing Editor The Salamanca Press Cover photo courtesy Holiday Valley

Cover design by Rich Place

• Letter from the President.....................................• Holiday Valley earns high regard in ranking........• Holiday Valley makes improvements in 2014.......• Riglet Park passes on love for slopes early.............• Winter events at Holiday Valley...........................

• Introduction and improvements............................• Find HoliMont on the web and social media........

Allegany State Park• Letter from the Park Manager..............................• Snowmobiling trails a great way to see area..........• Ice fi shing available at two lakes in park................

Full Color Trail Maps • Holiday Valley.....................................................• HoliMont............................................................• Allegany State Park.............................................

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Welcome skiers and winter sport enthusiasts!

On behalf of New York State Parks, it is my pleasure to welcome you to our region and Allegany State Park, a world-class destination for lovers of winter-time outdoor pursuits. If you’re a cross country skier, snowshoer, ice fisherman, hunter, bird watcher, winter camper, snowmobiler or snowman maker, Allegany State Park has you covered for your outdoor adventure.

We offer a variety of winter lodgings at Allegany State Park, from full-service cottages to rustic heated cabins, to make us your base of opera-tions for your vacation or quick getaway. If you like life on the slopes a little bit faster, there are excellent downhill skiing oppor-tunities in the surrounding area as well as a multitude of other activities to keep the whole family engaged.

For the day-tripper and our overnight guests alike, we also offer space to come in from the cold and enjoy a roaring fire while taking in great views of winter’s majesty. Relax in our Administration Building “Great Room” with a cup of hot coffee from our gift shop, and check up on family and friends with our free Wi-Fi. If you’re on a snowmobile tour of our expansive groomed trail system or skiing in the groomed Art Roscoe Cross Country Ski Complex, stop in at our Summit Warming Hut for a quick rest and hot cup before heading out on the trail again.

With a rich history, lively culture, great activities, and wonder-ful accommodations, you can’t go wrong visiting our region. This guide provides a great deal of information to keep you enter-tained, healthy and fit. Take your time planning your perfect cold weather outing, but then get out there — the winter excitement awaits!

For more information on Allegany State Park’s accommoda-tions and amenities, or for up to date trail conditions call (716) 354-9121 or visit New York State Parks’ website nysparks.com and Allegany State Park’s Facebook page facebook.com/allegan-ystatepark.

Stay warm out there!

Jay G. BaileyPark ManagerAllegany Region

Dear Winter Visitor,

Winter adventure awaits at Holiday Valley and Ellicottville, with crisp fresh air and sparkling snow during this very special time of year. From all of us in Cattaraugus County, we extend to you our warm welcome!

There are so many things to do for visitors of all ages and interests here at Holiday Valley. Skiing or snowboarding with your family and friends gives you a fresh feeling of freedom, rejuvenation and excitement. Take a thrilling ride down through the snowy trees on the Sky High Mountain Coaster. Go tubing with your family at the Holiday Valley Tubing Company. Cross country skiing and snowshoeing are great exercise and easy to learn. You can use the lower trails for free at Holiday Valley and the Art Roscoe trails at Allegany State Park are amazing.

Holiday Valley offers 58 slopes and 13 lifts, along with beautiful base lodges, ski and snowboard programs, slope-side lodging, plus dining, shopping and activities in the village of Ellicottville. Why not turn your visit into a vacation with lodging at the comfortable Inn at Holiday Valley, the Tamarack Club condominium/hotel or one of our cozy rental proper-ties? Tamarack also houses the Falling Waters Spa, John Harvard’s Brew House and Restaurant, conference rooms, an indoor/outdoor heated year round pool, a sauna and two outdoor hot tubs

And don’t forget, summer in Ellicottville is a refreshing change of pace. The mountains are green and lush and there’s plenty of fun at Sky High Adventure Park, the Holiday Valley pools, the Double Black Diamond Golf Course and the mountain biking and hiking trails.

From all of us at Holiday Valley and our fun-loving village of Ellicottville, we’re glad you’re here. Welcome to our community, and we’ll see you on the slopes!

Dennis A. EshbaughPresident and General ManagerHoliday Valley Resort

Holiday Valley president welcomes you to winter in Ellicottville

A warm welcome from the

Allegany State Park manager

Dennis A. Eshbaugh

Jay G. Bailey


By Christa NianiatusPress Reporter

ELLICOTTVILLE — It looks to be the makings of a great 2014-15 season for Holiday Valley, with a week-early start already in the books.

Originally scheduled for a Nov. 28 opening date, and thanks to the fringes of a lake-effect storm that pounded the Buffalo area, the resort man-aged to open for a “preview weekend” Nov. 21 to 23.

“That weekend we were able to open early because we had about 26 to 27 inches starting on (Nov. 14) all the way into (Nov. 21), which was very helpful,” said Jane Eshbaugh, market-ing director for Holiday Valley.

She said that the cold temperatures and new snowmaking system — with an added boost of 54 new automated snow guns — made for “amazing conditions” that weekend and allowed them to get a good snow base down for the start of the season.

The snow was a blessing and a curse for some, leading to many road closures due to inclement weather and travel advisories, which Eshbaugh said prevented some visitors from getting down to Ellicottville for the start of the season.

Last year, Holiday Valley was right at its average snowfall of 180 inches, despite a per-ceived bump by the “polar vortex” of early 2014.

“Last year was a good year for us. We had great early snow and we had a few weather

cycles the end of December and early January. Then we had the polar vortex, as you

might recall, which made for some amazing condi-

tions,” said Eshbaugh. The prolonged freezing temperatures enabled

the resort to add a week onto the end of its sea-son.

“There was so much snow we just had to keep going,” she said.

The great finish to last year’s season left a good impression in the minds of skiers and boarders and had a positive impact on preseason sales for this year, Eshbaugh said.

As for 2014-15, Holiday Valley officials remain optimistic, yet aware they are at the mercy of the weather.

“I wish I had a crystal ball into the future, but just going on my own opinion I think it’s going to be an awesome year with wonderful snow,” said Eshbaugh. “We’re always optimistic and hopefully the Farmer’s Almanac and long-term predictions are accurate and we’ll have a great year.”

ELLICOTTVILLE — For the second year in a row, SKI Magazine readers ranked Holiday Valley fifth best among the top resorts in eastern North America.

“We’re thrilled that our guests think so highly of their experiences at Holiday Valley,” said Dennis Eshbaugh, president and general manager of the resort. “And we’re honored to be listed along with these highly respected eastern resorts.”

When asked how Holiday Valley manages to main-tain this top position, Eshbaugh said, “It’s all about giving people a place where they can have fun and enjoy experiences with their family and friends. We work hard at listening to our guests and providing what they want. We’re always improving and reinvesting in the resort to stay ahead of the curve.”

In March 2014, magazine readers were asked to rate resorts they had recently visited and Holiday Valley ranked in the top ten in 13 categories. The ranking shows that terrain is important, but there are so many additional factors that create satisfied, loyal skiers.

Holiday Valley’s lift system was ranked No. 1 for the third year in a row. “Kid friendliness,” one of Holiday Valley’s key targets, was ranked No. 2. On-mountain food was ranked No. 2 for the second year in a row. Service, dining and après ski were all ranked third. Access, sustainability (a new category), off hill activities and overall satisfaction were ranked No. 5. Grooming was up seven places to No. 7 and ter-rain parks jumped three places to No. 9. The full survey and rankings were made available in October’s issue of SKI Magazine.

This year marks the ninth time in eleven years that Holiday Valley has ranked in the top 10 resorts in Eastern North America.

Holiday Valley ranks

fi fth in the East

With early start, Holiday Valley

looking forward to upcoming season



By Rich PlaceManaging Editor

ELLICOTTVILLE — For more than 50 years, HoliMont has been providing pictur-esque hills and unique land-scapes for skiers to enjoy the winter season in the region.

The resort, located along Route 242 just south of the

Ellicottville village line, is prepared for the winter season by staying busy during this past summer; installing a warming hut, continuing the WestMont Ridge project, giv-ing a “facelift” to another lift and other improvements.

“If you’ve been following the HoliMont social media channels you probably know

that the roadways for WestMont are now complete,” said Dash Hegeman, market-ing director at HoliMont. “Despite an array of flash floods over the summer, the roads were installed and now give people a fantastic take on the layout of the project.

“Additionally, the slope that will eventually be

HoliMont’s new terrain park was cut over the summer so that natural gas lines could be installed.”

The resort also performed upgrades to its Cascade lift, which was chosen this year as the lift to receive a “facelift.” Hegeman said one lift is selected each year to be upgraded so eventually all

lifts will have one common look.

That process was started with the recent installation of the Exhibition Express, and lifts will be upgraded each year to reflect the new look.

“Now when you visit HoliMont, you will notice the similarit ies between Exhibition Express, Cascade and Meadow,” said Hegeman.

Also during the busy sum-mer at HoliMont, crews upgraded the warming hut at the top of Cascade/Greer — a huge hit last winter — with a deck. Hegeman said it “will be a great place to take a break in between runs and take in a little Vitamin D on those gor-geous bluebird days.”

HoliMont also made upgrades to its chalet bath-rooms, continuing a remodel-ing project that began in the summer of 2013. Various air and water lines were also dug up and replaced in an upgrade to the resort’s snowmaking system.

HoliMont was founded in 1962 by William Merk and is now by many measures con-sidered the largest private family ski area in North America.

According to HoliMont’s website, Merk and the support of local investors purchased parcels of land along Route 242 to create HoliMont. The first trail was cut in 1961 and seven more followed soon after, once HoliMont had been legally established in 1962. In the days before high speed chair lifts, skiers during HoliMont’s first seasons were towed up the hill on a fash-ioned sled behind a Tucker Sno-Cat.

Additional terrain has been added since the opening in 1962 and have included many expansion projects, like the WestMont Ridge project and the new chair lifts.

HoliMont is open to non-members and groups on week-days and has eight lifts which service over 50 slopes and trails, as well as the Terrain Parks.

HoliMont welcomes winter following busy summer of upgrades

Submitted photo


Allegany State Park is con-sidered one of the most excit-ing areas to enjoy everything that winter has to offer. One of the most popular winter activi-ties is snowmobiling. Whether you’re riding through Thunder Rocks or enjoying the open trails and the serene landscape views, there is days’ worth of adventure to be had.

Some of the first early snowmobiles were built with skis in front and a sprocket wheel and tracked system in back — with some machines carrying as many as 12 people. Family doctors, veterinarians, ambulance and taxi drivers were first in line to purchase one of these large machines. It wasn’t until the late 1950s, with the development of small-er gasoline engines, that the one- or two-passenger, light-weight-chassis snowmobiles were marketed — with that, a new recreational activity was born.

The snowmobile trail sys-

tem in Allegany State Park was founded in 1970 in response to this new recreational activity appearing in Western New York. The original snowmo-bile trail system consisted of only 12 miles of narrow hiking trails. Those ungroomed trails are a far cry from the trails that make up Allegany’s trail sys-tem today. With more than 90

miles of groomed, designated snowmobile trails, connecting to the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania and the Seneca Allegany Casino, the park boasts one of the finest trail systems in the area.

The sport of snowmobiling, while not only fun, is recog-nized as valuable to the quality of life. It is an invigorating

sport that is great for stress release and good mental health. Snowmobiling is great exercise that encourages peo-ple to get outside and get involved with a winter activity. It allows them to enjoy the beauty of “naturally yours” Cattaraugus County during the winter months. By having a family outing, or doing it alone, you can observe and photograph winter’s wildlife and crisp scenery. With all this to offer, snowmobiling is a major winter recreational activity with a significant posi-tive impact on winter tourism

in our area.Snowmobiling has evolved

into a predominately group- or family-oriented activity. Spend the weekend or a week in Allegany’s more than 150 win-terized cabins that line the trails. They are easily accessi-ble and affordable to everyone. Additionally, for large groups such as snowmobile clubs, Quaker’s Group Camp 5 (shown in the photo to the left) houses up to 72 people in 18 newly remodeled cabins com-plete with table, benches, heat-er, four bunk-style beds and space to breathe. Also in Camp 5 is a mess hall with 14 bench-es, three upright refrigerators, one freezer and all the ameni-ties you need to prepare large meals. Also worth mentioning is the restroom facilities with seven individual showers.

Want to join in on the fun? Need help deciding where to start? For a Allegany State Park snowmobile trails map or additional information contact the Park at (716) 354-9121 or visit the downloadable county trails map to help you navigate our area via snowmobile at www.enchantedmountains.com/downloads/map/snowmo-bile-trails-map.

Snowmobile trails at Allegany State Park allow

for scenic view of winter wonderland




ELLICOTTVILLE — A new season means new improvements to Holiday Valley Ski Resort.

Holiday Valley has reinvest-ed $3.7 million into their facili-ties over the off-season to ensure an enhanced experience for skiers and boarders.

“We feel pretty strongly that our continual expansion helped to keep Holiday Valley and Ellicottville in the forefront, as well as maintain our reputation of a great experience and lots of fun,” said Jane Eshbaugh, director of marketing for Holiday Valley.

The most significant invest-ment this year was in their snowmaking infrastructure, adding 54 HKD Impulse auto-mated snow guns to their trails. The new guns are installed on Snowledge, the Wall, Morning Star and Crystal.

“It’s important to us to always be improving the resort, and we’ve already made great use of the snow guns,” said Eshbaugh during Holiday Valley’s first week of operation this season — which was a week earlier than anticipated.

In addition to the blast of cold weather, the marketing director said it was the new snow guns that made that early opening possible.

“We called it our preview weekend,” she said. “And the automated snow guns really made that possible, working a lot more efficiently and making better snow in a shorter period of time.”

The automation of the pro-cess is more efficient because they can adjust to changes in humidity and temperature quickly, and in a manner that saves energy, said Eshbaugh.

Holiday Valley now has a total of 595 snow guns, includ-ing the new automated models.

Holiday Valley additionally purchased a turbo fan gun, a

large “cannon” style gun, for the Tubing Park. New snow-making pipelines were also installed on five slopes: Reindeer, Woodpecker, Firecracker, Cindy’s and Champagne.

Eshbaugh said the resort has made some efforts to make their more popular slopes more accessible and easier to navi-gate by adding connecting trails and expanding some of the more popular trails to ease con-gestion.

“It’s just easier to get around the resort this way. They’re not actual new slopes, they just connect to the top of Sunrise to a trail people really like to add to the fun factor,” she said.

A new, easier trail was cut from the top of Sunrise to Cindy’s Run, giving beginners access from the Inn to the base area and the Snowsports School meeting place. The Eagle slope was widened, and new connect-ing trails were cut from the top of Morning Star to Crystal and the top of Sunrise to Bear Cub.

An old icon has returned to the Holiday Valley landscape as the old clock tower — torn down during the construction of the new lodge in 2012 — has been redesigned and replaced outside the Holiday Valley Lodge base area. It serves as a meeting place for visitors and as an information station, Eshbaugh said.

“In the past we had this cool clock tower that was kind of the icon of Holiday Valley, and it was really an anchor,” she said. “Now we’ve built a better clock tower with a similar look and in a slightly different location. I think everyone will be happy to have their meeting place back.”

Plans for the realignment of Holiday Valley Road, while not completed, are underway, with construction slated to begin this summer. The goal of this proj-ect is to improve access to the resort, parking, traffic and pedestrian circulation and safe-ty, added Eshbaugh.

Holiday Valley invests

$3.7M during off -season


To Little ValleyTo Little Valley

on the web

facebook.com/skiholimont

twitter.com/holimont

instagram.com/holimont

youtube.com/holimontskiarea

www.holimont.comholimont.blogspot.com

Snow Report: (877) SKIHOLI(877) 754-4654

General Info: (716) 699-2320Or call:

The 2015 Art Roscoe Loppet is scheduled to kick off on Sunday, Feb. 15 at Allegany State Park’s Summit Ski Area in beautiful, challenging, rolling and snowy Salamanca.

Classic style skiing at it’s finest draws competitors and participants from several states in a lung crushing wild ride through the tracked rolling trails of the Art Roscoe Trail System inside Red House at Allegany State Park.

Again this year, the Loppet will feature three different course options to suit all levels of skiers. Courses include a 6K, 13K and 22K. In other words, the Loppet offers something from the first timer through the seasoned pro.

The 22K course is a wild ride through and around the perimeter of the Art Roscoe Trail System featuring many climbs, descents and a wild 2-mile climbing finish.

The 13K is no picnic as skiers are tested to the demands of almost endless pole and kick work. Weekend warriors and first timers the 6K is an excellent journey around Sweetwater Trail and lets you set your pace for a fun and thrilling day on the trails.

For more information on the Art Roscoe Loppet, visit HeartRateUp.com.

Art Roscoe Loppet is Feb. 15

at Allegany State Park



By Rich PlaceManaging Editor

SALAMANCA — Snowmobiling has been a longtime activity in Cattaraugus County, but now snowmobiling racing is becoming an annual tra-dition at the Seneca A l l e g a n y Casino in Salamanca.

The AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series will return to Salamanca on Feb. 6 and 7 for its third year, and it’s beginning to feel like home already for mem-bers of the professional snow-mobiling circuit.

And this year, it’s returning bigger and better than ever — literally.

“Our goal is to make the track larger, by at least 20 per-cent,” said Carl Schubitzke, president and director for ISOC Racing. “This will increase the lap times, allow for more areas to pass and generally create even better racing than we’ve had the past two years.”

The series has been improv-ing its circuit outside the Seneca Allegany Casino each year since arriving in 2013.

During the first year, the track was located in the parking lot before being moved in 2014 to the empty lot west of the casi-no.

The change was received positively by both fans and series officials, and

S c h u b i t z k e said the series

continued to listen to its

fans after last year’s event

and plans to again enhance the

experience.“Based on the input from

fans that attended the Salamanca round, Seneca Allegany Resort and Casino made the area we’re moving to a lot larger, giving the spec-tators access right next to the track and not sitting some-what further away like in the previous two years,” he said. “Fans this year will be right in the mix.”

The series has seen nearly 15,000 people attend each of the first two years of the event, according to officials. That includes last year’s event where temperatures in the teens — stereotypical for snowmobilers but chilly for spectators.

“Of course we always hear things from our fans at pretty

much every round that the outdoor seating can get a bit chilly,” Schubitzke said. “But what we saw with New Yorkers, being that they’re a hearty bunch to begin with, was (seeing more) people

dressed to be prepared for the conditions after our second year.

“(There were) lots more snowmobile suits and hunt-er’s orange in the crowd for year two!”

Salamanca is the fifth of eight races for the AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series, which is headquar-tered in Minnesota and has races throughout the upper midwest. Its stop in Salamanca is the furthest east for the series.

For those who can’t make it to the event live, both days of action from the Seneca Allegany Casino will be broadcast on the CBS Sports Network. The action from Feb. 6 will be shown Feb. 22 at 9 and 11 a.m. and the action from Feb. 7 will be shown March 1 at 9 and 11 a.m.

This year’s event, deemed the Seneca Allegany’s U.S. Air Force National, will take place at the Seneca Allegany Casino and Hotel on Feb. 6 and 7. Advance ticket prices are $25 for Friday, $25 for Saturday or $30 for all week-end.

Snocross to make third visit to Salamanca in 2015

Photo courtesy Lissa Marsolek/AMSOIL Championship SnocrossA competitor soars through the air near the Seneca Allegany Casino and Hotel during the AM-SOIL Championship Snocross Series’ visit to the city last year.


By Katie VecellioSpecial to The Press

For most, fishing is consid-ered a fair-weather activity, but if you are wishing you could drop a line in Allegany waters year round, you can. Whether you are an avid fisherman or someone who occasionally enjoys casting a line in hopes of catching a fish, there is no need to let the long winter months keep you from participating in this popular sport.

Ice fishing involves drilling through a frozen body of water and waiting for a fish to take the bait during cold winter condi-tions. In New York state, spe-cifically in Allegany State Park, anglers can catch a variety of fish species. Virtually every fish that is available to fishermen in the summer can be caught through the ice. Some are even caught more frequently in the winter. While fishing through the ice requires knowledge and skill, it can be an enjoyable winter activity for all ages.

EQUIPMENTWith frigid temperatures and

ice several inches thick, ice fishing requires more than just a pole and bait. To get started you will need the basics; something to create a hole in the ice and keep it open and ice free throughout the day; as well as a device to fish with.

The two basic tools used to make holes in the ice are spuds and augers. The hole must be big enough to pull a fish through, but not so large that it would endanger someone’s life. It is recommended to keep holes to a maximum of 8 to 10 inches in diameter, which would easily accommodate the size of most fish species and standard tip-ups.

Once the hole is created it needs to be cleared of ice chips or slush with a skimmer or slush scoop. When a day of fishing has concluded, all opened holes should be marked with a tree branch or stick placed flat on the ice, or with a snow mound to alert others of their presence.

There are two types of ice fishing outfits that are recom-mended for use while fishing in Allegany State Park. They are hook and line, and tip-ups. Often a fisherman who is using the hook and line method will also set a tip-up in a different hole, giving them two ways to catch a fish. Hook and line jig-poles are short limber rods that a fisherman holds above the hole and tip-ups are devices set on the ice above the hole that dangle the bait (most often minnows) beneath them. The device is equipped with a flag that tips up to alert the fisher-man when the bait is taken. Here in Allegany State Park, jig-poles are typically used to catch bluegill, crappie and perch, while the tip-ups are generally used for catching the larger game fish such as north-ern pike.

ICE SAFETYJust walking out on the ice

can be a unique experience, especially when no snow cov-ers the water below. However, as with any outdoor activity, safety should be your top con-cern.

When it comes to ice safety, you should steer clear of dark spots or places where the snow looks discolored, and keep an eye out for markings of aban-doned holes. Some other good rules to follow include never fishing alone, telling someone where you are going and when you expect to return, always testing the ice thickness, bring-ing appropriate emergency items such as a lifejacket, noisemaker, rope, and ice picks, and always carrying a cell phone with you in case you need to call for help.

Also, when ice fishing, dress in layers. Make sure to cover your extremities, which are the first to get frostbite. For further comfort, ice shanties are small shelters that can pro-vide warmth and shelter from the wind.

REGULATIONSIn New York state, general

angling regulations limit

anglers to two jigging lines (or hand lines) and five tip-ups in most waters. Each tip-up must be marked with the operator’s name and address and the oper-ator must be in immediate attendance when the lines are in the water. These regulations are applicable in Allegany State Park. In addition, shelters are permitted, but must be non-permanent and removed at the end of each day. While fishing you must have your current-year fishing license and be aware of all special regulations and catch limits for the fish species you are targeting.

WATERSIn general, ice fishing can

be practiced in nearly all places where ice is thick enough to support the weight of several people. Allegany State Park has two lakes, Quaker and Red House Lake, to offer as suit-able ice fishing venues.

These areas provide anglers with the opportunity to hook several different species, including northern pike, blue-gill, crappie, rock bass, brown trout, brook trout and rainbow trout.

Lastly, be mindful of others while on the ice. Everyone who is out there wants to enjoy their experience. Respect personal space. Do not drill a hole too close to another fisherman. Not only is it rude, but you run a risk of tangling lines. Keep the noise at a manageable level with any electronic devices you may have brought along. Always supervise children and pets. Leave the area as you found it, trash-free.

Once you have spent a little

time on the ice you will soon see winter in a different light.Ice fishing is more than just a way to pass long winter days. Itis a chance to breathe the crisp, clean winter air, experience the thrill of hooking a fish, spendquiet time outdoors with fami-ly and friends, and relax andcollect one’s thoughts while away from the commotion of a hectic world.

(Katie Vecellio is program-ming coordinator at AlleganyState Park.)

Fishing isn’t just for summer — go ice fi shing at Allegany State Park

Press photo by Rich Place



SALAMANCA – The Seneca Allegany Casino has announced a star-studded line-up from February through March.

The Eli Young Band, Lee Greenwood and Crystal Gayle will all make appearances at the Events Center this February.

The Eli Young Band will perform Saturday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $20 and are now on sale. Eli Young Band has charted eight times on the

Billboard country charts, with three of their singles having reached Number One: “Crazy Girl,” which was the top coun-try song of 2011 according to the Billboard Year-End charts, along with “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” and “Drunk Last Night.”

The band’s second studio album, “10,000 Towns,” debuted at Number One on Billboard’s Top Country Albums Chart and the album’s

second single, “Dust,” was released to country radio within the past year.

Two of country music’s true legends, Lee Greenwood with Crystal Gayle, will bring their classics together in one show at the Seneca Allegany Events Center on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $20.

Greenwood’s song, “God Bless the USA,” has been voted the most recognizable patriotic song in America. He has won

numerous industry accolades including, ACM’s Male Vocalist of the year, two CMA Male Vocalist of the Year awards, and a Grammy for Top Male Vocal Performance.

In a career that produced 20 Number One country hits, Gayle has soared to industry heights and earned multiple awards and honors. With her fourth album, 1977’s “We Must Believe In Magic,” she became the first female artist in country

music history to achieve plati-num album sales. The driving force of that album was the song that was to become her enduring signature song, the Grammy Award-winning sin-gle, “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue.”

Next up, Jeff Foxworthy and Eddie Money are slated to headline entertainment at the casino during the month of March.

Eddie Money will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, March 6 with tickets starting at $20. The ‘80s rocker will take the stage with hits like “Baby Hold On,” “Two Tickets to Paradise,” “Take Me Home Tonight,” “Shakin,” “Think I’m in Love,” and “I Wanna Go Back.”

Known for his redneck humor and as host of the televi-sion hit “Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader,” Grammy award-winning and member of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, Jeff Foxworthy will have you rolling in the aisles laughing Saturday, March 28. The show starts at 7 p.m. with tickets at $40.

Tickets are available at select Seneca Resort & Casino retail outlets, Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by phone at 800-745-3000.

Eli Young Band, Jeff Foxworthy winter headliners for casino

Eli Young Band Jeff Foxworthy


Riglet Park passes on a love of the slopes earlyBy Christa Nianiatus

Press Reporter

ELLICOTTVILLE — This year youngsters can get a jump on their snowboarding careers with the start of the season.

In January of last year, Holiday Valley opened Riglet Park, a specialized snow-board teaching area for children 3 to 6 years old. This year, the resort will once again be “build-ing” the park’s miniature fea-tures, made out of snow and pro-viding instructors for individual and group lessons.

“The program was very success-ful while it was open last year and it’s been a great addition to the hill,” said Jane Eshbaugh, director of market-ing for Holiday Valley. “All the features are just made out of snow, and once the tempera-tures rise again it just turns back into part of the golf course.”

As a component of Holiday Valley’s children’s program, the park incorporates super-flexible Burton snowboards, as small as 80 centimeters, which are spe-

cially designed for young chil-dren. The snowboards have beveled edges and convex bases to help prevent falls and a Riglet Reel — a retractable leash that enables the instructor to pull the child around the park and over the features.

“The child stands on their board with

their feet in the bindings and the instructor can pull

the child around over fea-

tures and over d i f f e r e n t t h i n g s , ”

Eshbaugh said. “When they’re

pulled over the fea-tures the children have to flex and extend and move their body in a way that teaches the very beginning

part of learning to ride.”Located at the base of School

Haus East, and right next to the Creekside Lodge, the park is comprised of mainly flat terrain with small rollers and banks and very low boxes and rails. Holiday Valley officials also say that since the children don’t have to power the boards them-selves they don’t get tired as

quickly, making for a longer, more enjoyable session.

“Kids can do amazing things if you give them the right tools, in the right setting,” said Rich Rumfola, supervisor of Holiday Valley’s Mountain Adventures Children’s Program. “The Riglet Park allows us to teach snowboarding to the very young in a way that they will love the experience. We now have equipment and a lesson area that takes their size and physical capabilities into consideration.”

For anyone looking to see to the Riglet Park in action, Eshbaugh added that there is a video of some of their lessons available on the Holiday Valley website, at www.holidayvalley.com.

“There’s such a cute video of it on our website, just little tiny kids with helmets as big as their bodies,” Eshbaugh said with a laugh.

For ages 3 to 4, private les-sons at Riglet Park are available for $75 for a 15-minute session. Group sessions for ages 4 to 6 are also available for $75 for two hours.



ELLICOTTVILLE — Winter is the season for Holiday Valley to truly shine, with a lineup of events to entertain skiers and non-skiers alike.

Jane Eshbaugh, director of marketing for Holiday Valley, said visitors can look forward to “a lot of standby favorites,” as events kick off.

One of the first on the dock-et is Demo Day, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20. Major manufacturers of ski and snowboard equipment will be providing demonstrations

“People can come out and try out this year’s skis and snowboards early enough in the year that they can try them out before they decide to buy or put them on their Christmas lists,” said Eshbaugh.

The demos are free for any-one with a lift ticket, but a credit card is required for deposit.

Ending the holiday season with a bang is Holiday Valley’s New Year’s Eve Celebration

from 10 p.m. to midnight Wednesday, Dec. 31. It’s a fun, celebratory event geared to entertain the whole family.

“Our New Year’s Eve party is a family-friendly event and we encourage everyone to come,” said Eshbaugh. “There’s all kinds of games and contests for families and we really keep the kids in mind.”

Slopes are open until 10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and the lift up Cindy’s Run is open until 11 p.m. Intermediate ski-ers or better can join the torch-light parade by meeting at the base of Cindy’s at 11 p.m. The Holiday Valley Groomer’s Parade starts around 11:15 p.m., followed by the torch-light parade at 11:30 p.m.

The event culminates with a grand fireworks show at the stroke of midnight. The entire event is free with a family friendly party on the first floor of the Holiday Valley Lodge featuring music, drink specials (and mocktails), food and holi-day fun. The second floor is available for private parties by calling 699-2010.

January is Learn a Snow Sport Month, and Holiday Valley will be offering specials to couples, pairs of friends or families who would like to learn together.

“We really want to encour-age people to give skiing or

snowboarding a chance,” said Eshbaugh.

Mid-week deals include a couple lesson for the price of one, at $60. The deal also extends to families for anyone ages 12 and up. A Learn to Ski or Snowboard package includes rental equipment, les-son and beginner’s area lift ticket.

Another seasonal favorite, Harley Day, will be held all day Saturday Jan. 25, and cel-ebrates all things Harley Davidson.

“The event is open to the public at no charge and of course to anyone looking to learn how to ride a motorcy-cle,” said Eshbaugh.

Registration for Harley Day events will be on the second floor of the Holiday Valley Lodge. Activities include “Harley” Learn to Ride lessons at Creekside Lodge at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., food and beverage specials on the sec-ond floor of the lodge, bikes on display throughout the resort, and Motorcycle Safety School information. Visitors can also test out the Jumpstart, a Harley on a set of rollers so visitors can see what it’s like to go through the gears and make some noise on the bike.

For a complete list of win-ter events visit Holiday Valley’s webpage at holiday-valley.com.


ELLICOTTVILLE — If you’re feeling the winter blues, hop on over to the Ellicottville Winter Blues Weekend Jan. 9 and 10.

Ellicottville nightspots will host a variety of live local blues acts Friday and Saturday nights.

“It’s a great way to keep warm on a cold winter week-end,” said Chris Chapman, media and communications manager of the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce.

Chapman said last year was an excellent turnout to the event and saw approximately 12 area bands perform.

The weekend, he said, actu-ally came about because it was one of the lowest attended in the Ellicottville area.

“It’s right after the holidays and New Year’s is over and there wasn’t much going on, so people just stayed home,” said Chapman. “So we created something that people could come out and relax and have a

good time — just fill that void.“Like the name of the event,

we all go through those winter blues after the holidays, and this is a way to get together and enjoy good music and friend-ship.”

The chamber coordinates and promotes the event, but mostly, area participants such as Balloons and The Gin Mill bring in their own acts. But overall there is a cooperation among the community to make the event great.

“Without cooperation noth-ing is going to work, and all of our merchants know that. The better we work together the better it is for everyone,” said Chapman.

He also added that the chamber could be cooking up some more fun events this win-ter season, so visitors should be on the lookout.

“You never know what’s coming up,” added Chapman. “So people should definitely check the chamber website, our Facebook page or our Twitter to find out what’s going on in Ellicottville.”

Elllicottville Blues Weekend on

the docket for JanuaryA winter full of events at HV



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2014 Ski & Entertainment Guide

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