ELLICOTTVILLE, HOLIDAY VALLEY

Holiday Valley Opens Today By Robert Rizzuto rrizzuto@post-journal.com  Holiday Valley will open its 50th season at 9 a.m. today with a first-hour offer of $4 lift tickets. Submitted photo 12/5/2007 - ELLICOTTVILLE — The crew at Holiday Valley in Ellicottville has been hoping for a storm which would provide the consistent cold and snow necessary to open. Their wish has been granted. Holiday Valley will officially begin its 50th season today at 9 a.m. with its 1957 lift ticket price of $4 available for the first hour only. ''We thought it was a great way to kick off the whole season,'' said Jane Eshbaugh, Holiday Valley marketing director. ''We will have five to seven slopes open and possibly open another black diamond.'' Steve Crowley, mountain operations director, said the resort began making snow on Nov. 17 and continued as temperatures allowed. He explained that the longer the snow 'cures' on the mountain before grooming, the deeper the base, which results in it holding up better for Holiday's skiers and riders. ''We're expecting a great run of snowmaking this week,'' he added. ''Additional lifts and slopes will be opening very soon.'' This season, Holiday Valley will be hosting events and showing off improvements made across the resort, all in celebration of its ''Golden Anniversary.'' Among the $2.9 million spent in renovations is the Spruce Lake Quad Chair Lift and service to three new slopes, according to Ms. Eshbaugh. Holiday Valley also spent $25,000 on new rails for the terrain park and renovated the guest rooms at the Slope Slide Inn. Although some locals might not appreciate the recent burst of cold and snow, Ms. Eshbaugh said she looks forward to it. ''Keep sending all the cold and lake-effect snow to Ellicottville,'' she said. ''If you're going to live in Western New York, you might as well enjoy it.''   For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com