HoliMont Opens Saturday, Kicking Off the 2025–2026 Winter Season
HoliMont Opens Saturday, Kicking Off the 2025–2026 Winter Season
Fresh lake-effect snow, expanded terrain park plans, and top-to-bottom snowmaking set the stage for opening weekend at the nation’s largest private ski resort.
With the latest round of lake effect snow to grace the Western New York region, winter (and ski and snowboard season!) is un-officially here! Gearing up for fresh tracks is HoliMont Ski Area, opening this Saturday, December 13th for the 2025-2026 season. Widely known as the largest private ski resort in the U.S., HoliMont boasts 700 feet of vertical drop, top-to-bottom state-of-the-art snowmaking capabilities, stands at an elevation of over 1,500 with the tallest peak over 2,200, and is a favorite with both locals and visitors alike. In anticipation of opening day, ellicottvilleNOW caught up with Travis Widger, the director for HoliMont’s Snowsports, for comments on what to expect for the new season.
“Expect our commitment to great snow and no lift lines,” Widger said by way of email interview. “Thanks to our snowmaking improvements and the help of Mother Nature with cold temperatures and natural snow, we should see a great start to winter.”
A great start, indeed, as snow continues to fall and the temperature continues to drop, making conditions ample for snowmaking. Regarding the base, Travis added that the depth should average around 18-24 inches with wall-to-wall coverage on all manmade groomers.
“Depending on the natural snow and weather, we may be able to open some additional trails on natural base coverage, which would be less base,” he said, adding that members and their guests should expect machine groomed/packed powder for Day One. As for lifts, Cascade and Exhibition are anticipated to run, as well as the Grasshoper Magic Carpet over in the Beginner Area.
Although the Main Snowbird Park will be closed opening weekend, Widger mentioned that a few features may be installed near the top of the Exhibition lift. In terms of new terrain parks and features, he added that an expansion is underway for the new season. “We have expanded the area near the base to use for more progression in our terrain parks, thanks to taking out a section of old dead pine trees, which we are very excited about,” he said.
If you’re in need of a tune-up or a fresh wax before hitting the slopes, head over to the GearUp shop in the HoliCenter next to the main lodge, which is open from 8:00am-5:00pm on the weekends, and 9:00am-5:00pm on the weekdays. “We have a full-service rental, retail, and repair shop,” said Widger. “We offer seasonal and daily rentals, full-service tuning, binding adjustments, and small repairs.” GearUp also features many retail items available for purchase, including HoliMont logoed wear.
Families will enjoy the many offerings available at Snowsports this season. “We offer lessons for skiing, snowboarding, cross country, fat biking, adaptive, and more - for all ages and abilities,” Widger said. “We are pumped for the start of the Snowsports season. We have over 600 of our member children enrolled in seasonal programs, and we offer private lessons and groups Monday through Friday. In addition to this, our Phoenix Adaptive program ensures any ability skier or snowboarder has the same opportunities.”
Last but not least, Dina’s at the Mont will once again dish up some seriously fine eats. “Dina's at the Mont provides top notch cuisine you cannot find at another ski area, and we are so grateful for our nearly 30-year partnership,” Widger said. “The Dina's team is committed to wonderful food and great service; guests can expect to find their menu favorites and always a great twist with daily soups and salads.”
With regards to public ticket options, Travis explained that there are a few options available to the public for midweek skiing and riding, in addition to daily tickets and passes. The Weekday Experience Pass includes 10 weekday passes, two lessons, and two half-price passes, with an option to transfer to friends and family after March 1st, he explained. The Weekday Experience Pass is also available in a five-pack of lift tickets without the lessons and half-price passes. “New this year, we are offering the Ride and Slide Pass, which is a multi-season pass that includes a Bike Park season pass, plus 15 weekday ski/ride passes, five of which are transferable to friends and family,” he said.
Opening Day brings all the excitement for the upcoming ski/board season, and what could be better than a few (or several!) corduroy laps! For opening weekend, Widger explained that HoliMont is open to its members and their guests, but will open to the public on the following Monday, December 15th, and all weekdays thereafter, with some blackout dates. “The only exceptions to this are Christmas Week (December 25th-January 1st), Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Presidents’ Day, where we are also members and guests only,” he said.
“We are committed to providing generations of outdoor family fun and social experiences to our membership and community, and hope that all will join us this winter for some beautiful days on snow with your friends and family,” Widger said. “Bring your little ones where they have the freedom and independence to explore our mountain and community.”
HoliMont Ski Area is located at 6921 NY-242 in Ellicottville. For more information, contact the main office at 716-699-2320 or visit www.holimont.com.