Holiday Valley grew from a small ski area created in the late 1950s into Western New York’s main ski resort and the leading tourist draw around Ellicottville. Local founders raised money in 1956, the first four runs were cut in 1957, and mild weather delayed opening until January 7, 1958. What began with four runs and one T-bar lift expanded to 60 slopes and 13 lifts, with snowmaking playing a central role from the start. The resort developed lodges, lodging, tubing, golf, and year-round attractions, helping establish Ellicottville as a notable New York ski town and earning repeated recognition within eastern skiing.