ELLICOTTVILLE, N.Y. — Skiers flock to ski lifts at Holiday Valley to shred the slopes on opening day.
"We’re having so much fun out here. My daughter and I- it’s our first time out here. It’s everyone's first time out here this season, and we’re having so much fun," one skier said.
And the start of the season is not ideal. Mother nature’s decision brings rain into the area. Marketing Director of Holiday Valley, Dash Hegeman says it makes conditions better for skiers.
"The rain probably softens things up a bit. If you’re okay with being out-being a little wet, the conditions are excellent right now," Hegeman says.
Despite the gloomy weather, snow earlier this week hit Western New York, which Hegeman says the resort did not get much of. So, they’re still making snow with their snow machines.
"The snow crystal, if you get into the science of it, that we make is more durable and holds up better than natural snowfall," Hegeman says. "Then, we’ll add to that to make a stronger, deeper base to have a good season."
The resort spent 8 million dollars on renovations for this season. One is a new Mardi Gras 6 ski lift.
"It’s the first six-passenger chair lift in this region. We also made investments in our snow-making infrastructure. We’ve done some renovations at the Inn at Holiday Valley; 33 rooms got renovated there," Hegeman says.
While Holiday Valley is up and running, 40 minutes away, Kissing Bridge is still closed. Kissing Bridges' Creative Director, Kaitlyn Affuso, says they plan to open mid-December.
"Mother Nature is our business partner. We have to coordinate with her on conditions. So we have to have the right temperatures and humidity, and for that to align, we can make snow," Affuso says.
But until that happens, skiers here at Holiday Valley will continue to catch some air on the slopes.
Click here to see all of the events they're having this season.