Mardi Gras Weekend

My friends and I
all dressed up at Ice Bar

This past weekend was Mardi Gras and Winter Carnival and it is one of my favourite traditions at Holiday Valley. Holiday Valley begins to prepare weeks in advance for the festival with the construction of the infamous ice bar, snow sculpture, and decorating.  The festival kicks of Saturday morning at 10 a.m. Holiday Valley is a family resort and offers all kinds of activities for all ages.  My friends and family like many people who attend go all out and dress up. 

I love this weekend and this year was amazing. The weather was spectacular and perfect for skiing and a BBQ slope-side. As I arrived to Ellicottville late Friday I knew I better rest up because the weekend would be a busy. I woke on Saturday to less then desirable weather, but I wasn't going to let a little snow rain on my parade, and nor would Holiday Valley. We quickly gathered our ski clothes, packed out lunched, and grabbed our beads and were off to she ski hill.

This is a huge weekend for the resort so I recommend to anyone that plans to join us next year, arrive early! Parking fills up quickly and the walk to the lodge can get very long. We arrived early, saved our favourite table on the deck of Yodeler Lodge and went out to make some runs.

My friend Jillian and I

Skiing was fabulous and it's always nice to get out and make some runs with family and friends. By 12:30 we all decide that the hills are getting very busy and its time for a cold beer and a hot  dog. 
We head back to our table and check out the Ice Bar. 
Holiday Valley never ceases to amaze me. They put on an amazing weekend with music, face painting, games, dummy downhill, costume contest and parades down the hill. 

I recommend to all of you, if you're thinking about coming to Ellicottville be sure to check out their weekend events and join us next year for Mardi Gras.

See you on the slopes;
Joanna


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Friday, Friday, Friday

Another Friday has arrived and I am itching to get out the door and on the road. 

My trusty Jetta Candy. I think she needs a car wash!

Before I start I should give you some background on where I ski.  My home mountain is in the small town of Ellicottville, NY called HolidayValley, which is, an hour and half from where I live and go to school. So when Friday finally rolls around I can’t wait to get out the door to brave Mother Nature and hit the road.  It is common for me to drive through whiteouts and sometimes I am forced to take the back roads because the main highways are closed due to weather conditions.  I am sure you all know the saying, "rain or shine" well mine has become "snow or shine". If I don't have any homework, group projects, or family chores I am out the door running on Friday afternoons. This week I am free to hit the road early.

The rush isn't to get there to ski Friday night, the rush is to get there to see all of my friends and family. We always cook an amazing dinners, drink some great wine and get to bed early, because tomorrow morning we separate the skiers from the lodgers. Its always a competition to who will be out the door first? Now I won't say I am always out the door first, it all depends on the night before, I won't lie, but I am out the door first 75% of the time.

This week I am not only rushing to get Ellicottville but I am also on my way to the airport to pick up my godmother, who is coming in from Chicago for a weekend of skiing. 
Well I better hit the road. I hope you all make time for the things you love.
-J