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Holiday Valley Announces Plans for over $3 Million in Improvements for 2017-18

Continual reinvestment is Holiday Valley's trademark, and this summer the resort is adding to their automated snowmaking system, purchasing 2 groomers, adding a Magic Carpet lift to the beginner's area and a host of other projects. Holiday Valley guests will benefit by increased snowmaking and efficiency and more enjoyment on the slopes. Pending the Cattaraugus County IDA closing in mid-June, this year's $3 million brings the total investment for this independent resort to over $126 million in the past 24 years.

Other projects include replacement of the Cindy's Warming Hut and the Mistletoe Lean To, two new connector trails, Inn at Holiday Valley renovations, new uniforms for the Mountain Operations department, a new Resort Shuttle Van, a call center for Customer Service, a family area in the main Lodge, an additional mountain bike trail, new golf carts and new fountains in the golf course ponds.

Snowmaking is the life blood of ski resorts throughout the country, and Holiday Valley has invested heavily in a state-of-the-art automated system. This year's purchase of 70 HKD Auto units and 10 HKD Viper ground guns gives the resort a total of 314 automated guns, which allow the talented snowmaking crew to make more snow in a shorter period of time using less energy. The new snowmaking guns will be placed on up to six trails

The 2 new Pisten Bully 600 Grooming Tractors will replace 2 older units, resulting in a cleaner and more energy efficient fleet of 6 groomers. These highly specialized machines are used almost every night of the winter season to resurface the slopes with soft, powdery snow.

The Magic Carpet is a "moving sidewalk" that will be installed on the Slippery Streets beginner's slope. It replaces a handle tow to make it easier and more comfortable for beginners to get to the top of the gentle slope. Incidentally, this slope is specially groomed to make the learning process more intuitive and more enjoyable for students of all ages.

The Cindy's Warming Hut has quite a history at Holiday Valley, as it was the original 1960 bottom terminal building of the Tannenbaum T-Bar that was moved to its current site over 30 years ago. The Mistletoe Lean To has also been a part of Holiday Valley's history, and the new Lean To will be very similar in size and shape, but will be set back a bit more into the tall iconic pines of the Mistletoe slope.

The two new trails are located off lower Northwind slope. One trail is will bypass the steep section of lower Northwind to give beginners and families easier access to the base of the Mardi Gras lift. The second trail will end at the base of the Morning Star Quad chair. Plans are to outfit both of these slopes with lights and snowmaking.

The slopeside Inn at Holiday Valley will be purchasing new furniture and vanity countertops in a continuous plan to keep the lodging facility current.

The Call Center will benefit customers by centralizing informational calls to one location and specially trained staff who have in depth knowledge of the resort and its many features and programs.

The family area in the main Lodge will have comfortable chairs, couches and a small game area for parents and very young children to relax while spouses and brothers and sisters are out enjoying the slopes.

The new Mountain Bike trail will start at the intersection of Northwind and Mardi Gras and connects to the midpoint of 2016's new Senear Valley flow trail that leads to the Training Center.

​Source : ​Holiday Valley