ELLICOTTVILLE, N.Y. (WKBW) — Dreams of a white Christmas were dashed for many Western New Yorkers, except for those on the slopes.
Santa Claus delivered the gift of mild temperatures to skiers and snowboarders at Holiday Valley and Kissing Bridge. There was one gift, however, to top them all: a slope-side engagement at Holiday Valley.
"Holiday Valley is where we found our first love," said Pat Kenney, the groom-to-be.
It's hard to top that, but the mild temperatures did provide the gift of more comfortable skiing conditions for new riders in particular, according to Jane Eshbaugh, the Director of Marketing at Holiday Valley. She said the resort made a record amount of snow for this point in the season. Snow blowers proving to be a true Christmas miracle.
"Man-made snow is really durable, but we still even have some snow in the woods that's natural snow," Eshbaugh said.
Over at Kissing Bridge, riders at all levels soaked up the sun. Some families came for the first time.
"We didn't have too many plans, and we knew it was sunny, it was warm, the kids have never skied and I thought it would be a good day for a lesson," said mother Jill Rizzo.
For other, like the Raymond family, it's a Christmas tradition. They said the warm conditions made for less icy snow, allowing them to get more runs in.
There were no Santa spottings out on the slopes, however. He must still be tired from delivering presents.
