Winter in the Enchanted Mountains
Cattaraugus County welcomes the coming of Jack Frost's season with the start of Christmas festivals, events and open houses across the region.
Olean's official start of the holiday season begins November 25th with the annual Santa Claus Lane Parade. The festivities continue throughout December with concerts, auctions and Twelve Ice Skating Days of Christmas. Victorian Holidays are honored at the Fannie E. Bartlett House. This grand Queen Anne home is decorated in traditional Victorian holiday splendor and may be toured throughout the season.
Sports activities begin at St. Bonaventure with men’s and women’s basketball and hockey.
Ellicottville hosts its Christmas Open House on November 25th - 27th. The Christmas Stroll in Ellicottville heralds the arrival of Santa Claus and concludes with a Living Nativity that will amaze you will be held on December 3rd.
Randolph opens its weekend of Old Fashioned Country Christmas Weekend celebrations on December 2nd & 3rd with Christmas Tree Lighting. Many other activities will be held throughout the weekend including a parade, dances, sleigh rides, the Festival of Trees and Photos with Santa.
Salamanca will host its 3rd Annual Silver Bells festival on December 10th and 11th in a tribute to Ray Evans author of the famous Christmas song, Silver Bells.
Holiday Valley Resort offers top day and nighttime skiing and snowboarding excitement all season long with special promotions and events for both the avid participant and the casual spectator. HoliMont, the largest private resort in NYS, is open to the public weekdays and offers special activities and events. On January 7th & 8th make your way to Ellicottville to enjoy "The Winter Blues Festival." Or try an old-fashioned sleigh ride at Mansfield Coach & Cutter.
And if you are seeking some adventure just down the road is O'Dea's Mountain Snow Tubing Paradise in Allegany or Holiday Valley Tubing Co. in Ellicottville where you rush down the hillside on a gigantic inner tube.
Allegany State Park offers more than 35 miles of challenging cross-country skiing and 74 miles of snowmobile trails in the beautiful winter terrain. You also may rent an all weather cabin to relax and enjoy the beauty of the Park in the winter. There is something to do all year round in this park, the largest in the NYS Park system.
When the snow flies, our snowmobile trails will be open! Contact us for your FREE snowmobile trail map/brochure that shows all the trails across our entire county and into Allegany State Park. These trails have all been GPS'd and landowners have approved their usage.
For more information on these and many other winter activities and events or if you would like a free copy of the Enchanted Mountains of Cattaraugus County travel guide; please call 1-800-331-0543 or e-mail us. Discover the Enchanted Mountains of Cattaraugus County... Naturally yours to experience.