Ellicottville: Winter Sports and Local History

Ellicottville lies at the foot of the Allegany Mountains in the Southern Tier of western New York State. Holiday Valley is also a year-round destination. The other activities can help you decide when to visit.

Winter and Activities Throughout the Year

In winter, you can include skiing and snowboarding in your travel plans. In the warmer months, Holiday Valley offers golf. This gives you a choice of seasonal highlights: winter sports in the cold season and golf in warmer months. The Sky Flyer Mountain Coaster adds another option, with rides offered in every season.

The Sky Flyer Mountain Coaster ride is 4,805 feet long and takes about six minutes. Its features include fast turns, rolling sections, and scenic views; riders control their own speed. The length and approximate duration give you a specific timeframe for the ride. Along with the features of the track, this makes it easy to consider the coaster a standalone activity during your stay, rather than grouping it with the seasonally available offerings. That is approximately 1.46 kilometers.

Townscape and History

The Ellicottville Historic District includes the central business district and parts of the immediately adjacent residential areas. The district includes 93 buildings, 13 of which are non-contributing. This means both the business district and neighboring residential areas are part of the historic district described here.

Ellicottville Town Hall was built in 1825 as the Cattaraugus County courthouse and has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1973. Its construction and subsequent listing mark two distinct dates in its history. The Ellicottville Historical Museum presents the history of Ellicottville, adding an explicitly historical focus to this look at the town.

Village Life, Tastings, and Nature

The village of Ellicottville has boutiques, cafés, and dining options. There are also two specific tasting opportunities: visitors can sample spirits at Ellicottville Distillery and take part in a tasting at Winery of Ellicottville. These offerings have different highlights—from dining and shopping in the village to tastings at the distillery and winery.

Rock n’ Roll Weekend has been held annually in Ellicottville for more than 20 years. Program details may change from year to year; if the weekend is a deciding factor in your trip, check the dates for the relevant edition.

In the Town of Ellicottville, Nannen Arboretum features more than 250 species of trees and shrubs and offers opportunities for nature observation and recreation. If you plan to visit the arboretum, check the current visitor information in advance.

For an overview of the wider area: Cattaraugus County.