It’s been called “an outdoor-lover’s paradise” by USA Today and “one of the top adventure towns in America” by National Geographic, so it’s no surprise that Ellicottville, N.Y., is on the map as a hot tourism destination. But what makes this slope-side town so special is that there is something for everyone, giving visitors an instant sense of belonging. And they keep coming back for more.

“We had so many new people last year – new to skiing and snowboarding, new to Holiday Valley – or people who had not been skiing in a long time,” said Jane Eshbaugh, director of marketing at Holiday Valley Resort. “We’re hoping they all continue with the fun!”

Development is a Draw

From salt caves and breweries to mountain biking and golf, Ellicottville has expanded over the years into a four-season destination, but that didn’t happen overnight. “Summer and fall changed the face of Ellicottville,” said Brian McFadden, executive director of the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce, noting that skiers tend to visit on weekends while summer tourists visit all week long.

“We built the first nine holes of golf and a public pool in 1963, so it has been a very long transition, done a little at a time,” Eshbaugh explained. “We built the Inn at Holiday Valley in 1994-95, which allowed us to start attracting golf packages and conferences and weddings.”

Holiday Valley also added Spruce Lake, the Tamarack Club and Sky High Adventure Park, inspiring entrepreneurs to also consider Ellicottville for their small businesses. The result is a charming area with plenty to do.

“Ellicottville attracting visitors year-round with festivals and fun and shops and restaurants also helps bring people to the resort,” Eshbaugh said.

Fast forward over the years and through the calendar to ski season, Ellicottville’s original passion, and you will find residents and visitors alike welcoming snowflakes.

Learn more about what to do, where to stay, and more with our AAA Ellicottville Travel Guide.

Welcoming Winter and Visitors

“Winter season is our sweet spot,” said Billy Finnerty, who opened Finnerty’s Taproom with three other partners four years ago, witnessing Ellicottville’s sense of belonging first-hand. “With 13 TVs, we’re the sports bar in town. We mirror Buffalo Bills bars, but the cool thing is when (the) Ohio (crowd) visits during winter and college bowl season, we become an Ohio State bar. When Pennsylvania comes, we become a Pennsylvania bar.”

Hitting the Slopes

Ellicottville is known for its ski areas, including Holiday Valley, which just invested $4 million into Yodeler Express, a high-speed detachable quad lift, and Holimont, which is open to the public on weekdays and reserved for members on weekends. Both feature mountain bike lifts with flow trails. Holiday Valley also offers tubing and an adventure park for non-skiers.

Retail Therapy

Ellicottville is a shopper’s delight, with boutiques offering items including specialty socks and housewares to luxury alpaca apparel and jewelry.

“We’ve got an eclectic list of shops here and the nice part is they are all mom-and-pop shops,” McFadden said. “Despite the pandemic, we broke records last year.” It’s easy to spot visitors strolling through downtown shops as they work up an appetite.

Food Scene

Food plays a key role in any tourism experience, and Ellicottville is no exception. Tourists and locals alike enjoy the dining scene with options like Ellicottville Brewing Company, which offers craft beers and cuisine; West Rose, where you might even spot Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen enjoying the seasonal menu; Villagio, featuring relaxed Italian; the Gin Mill, a mainstay featuring a new, expanded location; or Finnerty’s, which took home Rookie of the Year Award and second place in the “extra hot traditional hot sauce” category at the 2021 National Buffalo Chicken Wing Festival.

“There’s a little bit of everything,” McFadden said. “There are no bad restaurants, and they are all locally owned.

When to Visit this Winter

Finnerty says the winter season “rolls from Christmas right through Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day.” Visitors should check the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce calendar for event listings in advance. “The thing about Ellicottville is that it’s a great vacation spot so no one is having a bad time – everyone is always in a good mood down here,” he said.

Where to Stay

There are many overnight options to choose from, so travelers should plan ahead, especially for popular dates and events. Ellicottville is home to one AAA Three Diamond property, The Wingate by Wyndham; and the nearest AAA Four Diamond hotel is a short drive away at Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino. AAA members receive hotel discounts at both properties.

Let AAA’s travel experts help you plan your winter getaway. Call 1-800-937-1222 or click the link below.

AAA Travel