Life in the Alleghenies - Winter 2023

winter

dec 7 2023

bradford publishing company

HoliMont photo

Ellicottville Winter Fun • ICE Skating • Allegany County Activities • Bike rides in ASP

Pennsylvania state parks • Cross country skiing • Snowmobiling • WINTER Fishing

Holiday Valley photo

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Winter Life

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December 7, 2023 | Bradford Publishing Company

NowAvailable The 2023 Limited Edition 90th Anniversary Clydesdales Holiday Stein.

Bradford Publishing Company | December 7, 2023

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December 7, 2023 | Bradford Publishing Company

Ellicottville ski resorts looking forward to a great season

By Deb Everts

ELLICOTTVILLE — Old Man Winter is making a comeback as the staff at Holiday Valley Resort and HoliMont Ski Area have been preparing the slopes and chalets to offer their guests a great winter season experience.

Holiday Valley was aiming to open Dec. 1.

Dash Hegeman, director of marketing, said the staff is optimistic that they’ll be able to get people out on the slopes that day.

“The excitement level is high and we’re just waiting on the winter temperatures to stay more consistent so our dedicated Snowmaking Team can work their magic and blanket the resort with snow. More money

was put into the snowmaking system so when the temperatures allow, the team can make snow even more efficiently,” he said. “The Grooming Team got a new PistenBully groomer, which will help them be even more efficient when grooming the slopes every night.”

Hegeman said the new Mardi Gras 6 chairlift is a fantastic addition to the resort’s network of lifts.

He said the Mountain Crew did a phenomenal job getting the lift built this past summer and the staff is very excited to put skiers and riders on it soon.

The Inn at Holiday Valley renovated 33 rooms over the summer.

Hegeman said the Tamarack Club is under-

going a similar room renovation project and saw a nice lobby upgrade this past spring. The restaurant is undergoing an overhaul, as well.

Hegeman said Holiday Valley has been all about making memories and having fun for generations. He said their goal is to show each and every guest a great time so they are already planning their next trip back to Ellicottville before they even leave.

Events begin Dec. 16 with Demo Day, which gives people the opportunity to try gear from local ski and snowboard

shops. The events continue with a New Year’s Eve celebration and go all the way through the annual Pond Skimming party at the end of the season.

For more information, call (716) 699-3904 or visit online at holidayvalley. com.

HOLIMONT’s projected

opening date is Dec. 16.

Jennah Bradley, sales and marketing manager, said the staff is dedicated to creating the ultimate destination for families to spend quality time together.

“Our goal every year is to ensure that families not only enjoy everything our club has to offer but also continued on page 5 >>

HoliMont photo Youth skiers are excited to hit the slopes at HoliMont Ski Area. The Ellicottville resort was aiming to open on Dec. 16.

Bradford Publishing Company | December 7, 2023

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Ellicottville ski resorts create cherished memories that will last a lifetime. Of course, we always hope for lots of snow and a great ski season,” she said.

The staff at HoliMont prepares for the upcoming ski season throughout the entire year. Bradley said this includes conducting lift inspections, performing maintenance on the hills and inside the chalet and providing comprehensive training to all staff members in safety protocols and day-to-day operations.

Bradley said that although the majority of upgrades they have made this year are not immediately visible, they will have a tremendous impact on the experience for skiers and snowboarders.

“We have installed new underground water pipes that will enhance our snowmaking capabilities, making our already incredible snow conditions even more remarkable,” she said.

HoliMont has also completely revitalized its Member Services and Ticket Sales office, creating a more spacious and functional environment to better serve its members and guests.

Several public events are planned for this season. Contractor’s Day will take place Jan. 26. The 2nd annual “Ski 4 a Cure” event, to benefit Roswell Park Cancer Institute, is coming back Feb. 16.

HoliMont is open to the public Monday through Friday. For more details, call (716) 699.2320 or visit online at holimont. com.

Holiday Valley photo A skier makes their way down a slope at Holiday Valley during a previous season. The Ellicottville ski resort was aiming to open Dec. 1.

Winter Life

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Winter Life

Life in the

December 7, 2023 | Bradford Publishing Company

Lace up your skates at Callahan Ice Rink

By SARA FURLONG

Callahan Ice Rink is open five days a week from early November through early March to offer locals another winter activity option.

The rink, located at 64 Poplin Ave. in Bradford, has been busy so far this season. Opening Nov. 7,

hundreds of area residents have already laced up their skates to hit the ice.

Chip Comilla, Bradford City Department of Public Works’ Parks Facilities director, reported 476 students, 22 adults and four seniors made use of the rink during opening week.

Counting those involved in the Bradford Blizzard hockey program, the total climbed to 1,013.

The rink is fully enclosed and includes locker rooms, a concession stand and a heated seating area.

Sharpen your skates for $6, or rent a pair for $3.

Admission for students and seniors is $4, adults pay $5. Training aids are available for beginners.

A party room can be rented for birthdays and reunions, the cost of which covers admission and

skate rentals for as many as 16 people. Reservations are required.

Callahan Ice Rink offers public skating hours 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, 1 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m.

Saturday and 1 to 4 and 6 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, contact the rink at (814) 368-8190.

Bradford Publishing Company | December 7, 2023

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December 7, 2023 | Bradford Publishing Company

Hit the ice in Olean this season Other public activities at the rink include:

By BOB CLARK

OLEAN — The city’s municipal ice rink offers plenty of chances for recreation this winter.

The rink at the William O. Smith Recreation Center opened in late August, with plans to close in late March or early April. Visitors this month will see some free public skating hours thanks to various businesses and civic groups.

Sessions of the 12 Ice Skating Days of Christmas, running from Dec. 19-31, are sponsored by 15 groups, said Kris Shewairy, coordinator of the city’s Youth Bureau and Recreation Department.

Dec. 19 — 5-6:30 p.m., United Way of Cattaraugus County

Dec. 20 — 5-6:30 p.m.,

Southern Tier Realty

Dec. 21 — 5-6:30 p.m.,

High Point Federal Credit Union

Dec. 22 — 5-6:30 p.m.,

Olean Junior/Senior League Coasters

Dec. 23 — 1-2:30 p.m.,

Olean City Firefighters IAFF Local 1796

Skate and Shoot sessions — Youth skate

and shoot is held 3:30-5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; while adult’s skate and shoot: 10:30 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; and 10-11:30 a.m. Sunday.

Youth sessions are $6, and adult sessions are $8.

Ice bocce — Noon-2 p.m.

Thursdays. Admission is $3.

File photo Skaters enjoy the 12 Days of Ice Skating in 2019 at the William O. Smith Recreation Center in Olean.

Dec. 27 — 5-6:30 p.m., City of Olean CSEA Unit 6202

Dec. 28 — 5-6:30 p.m., Olean Dempsey Club

Dec. 29 — 5-6:30 p.m., City of Olean Youth Bureau

Dec. 30 — 1-2:30 p.m., Olean Moose Lodge

Dec. 30 — 5-7 p.m.,

Pulaski Club of Olean

Dec. 31 — Noon-2 p.m., RPJ Ready Print

Dec. 23 — 5-7 p.m., Olean

Dec. 31 — 4-6 p.m., Olean

Sports Boosters

Lion’s Club

Dec. 24 — Noon-2 p.m.,

While skating is free, there will be a $3 skate rental fee, Shewairy noted.

A special holiday session, to be held from noon-2 p.m. New Year’s Day, will see the normal admission rates return.

The sessions are in

Olean Rotary Club Skate with Santa

Dec. 25 — Rink closed for Christmas Day Dec. 26 — 5-6:30 p.m., Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce

addition to public open skating hours, which will continue to run through the holiday season. Entry fees for those sessions are $3 for children and senior citizens, $5 for adults and $12 for a family of four.

Skate rentals are $3 each.

Regular public skating hours include:

Monday Noon-2 p.m.

Tuesday Noon-2, 3:30-5 p.m.

Wednesday Noon-2 p.m.

Thursday Noon-2, 3:30-5 p.m.

Friday Noon-2, 3:30-5 p.m.

Saturday 1-2:30, 5:30-7 p.m.

Sunday 1-2:30, 5:30-7 p.m.

A pair of discount packages are available.

Book passes are available for public skating, skate and shoot sessions, skate rentals and skate sharpening, and include 12 passes for the price of 10. Public ice skating season passes — which include both entry and skate rentals for the first time ever — are $120 for children and seniors, $160 for adults and $220 for a family of four.

The center is available for birthday parties, scheduled during public ice skating sessions. The cost is $75 for up to 15 children, and $100 for 16 to 25 children. The fees include admission, skate rental and party room rental.

The center is also open for school rentals. Those interested in rentals should call 373-RINK (7465).

Daily updates on the programs are available online at www.cityofolean.org/departments/ youth-recreation, www. facebook.com/oleanyouthrec and on Twitter @ Oleanyouthrec.

Bradford Publishing Company | December 7, 2023

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Allegany County under snow

By KATHRYN ROSS

Allegany County in the wintertime offers a variety of activities, from ice fishing on Cuba and Rushford Lakes to hiking and snowshoeing hundreds of miles of forest trails to gliding down a manicured ski slope on skis, boards, tubes, toboggans or sleds.

Or, one may just curl up in a comfy chair and read a good book from any of the many local libraries in the area.

When Buffalo and most of Western New York are digging out from under double-digit inches of snow, much of

Allegany County’s Ski Swain at night. The ski resort is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

the landscape in Allegany County is often under blue skies and just enough snow to make it pretty for photographs.

But between Belmont and Belfast, roughly along the I-86 corridor, the weather can change with a blink of an eye and more closely resemble the storms and snowfall seen in counties to the north and west — closer to the lake-effect bands.

Swain Ski Resort near Dansville is celebrating its 75th anniversary of operation. It offers more than 30 professionally maintained trails accessible by several ski lifts for downhill and cross country skiing and boarding.

Lessons and equipment rentals are available along with a variety of admission packages.

There is also a lodge for after-ski food and beverages and entertainment.

Gunny’s Gorge, right next to Swain Ski Resort, offers family tubing.

Call (607) 545-6511 or go to info@swain.com for information about slope conditions and current costs.

Allegany County offers many miles of cross-country trails on state forest lands with more than 400 miles of maintained trails for hiking, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.

Trails cab be found

on the WesternNYWilds website.

If you prefer to stay indoors in winter, the county’s picture perfect, postcard towns and villages offer a wide range of cultural activities, shopping and dining amid historic downtowns.

Look for events on library websites to catch a lecture or take in a movie or grab the latest best seller. The Wellsville Area Chamber of Commerce also offers a calendar of local activities on its new website.

Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or a couch-potato, you can find a winter activity in Allegany County that suits your style.

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Winter Life

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December 7, 2023 | Bradford Publishing Company

Bike rides this fall, winter at Allegany State Park

SALAMANCA — The Allegany State Park Environmental Education and Recreation Department and the Western New York Mountain Bike Association (WNYMBA) announced another year of fat-bike rides.

Fat bikes are mountain bikes with extra-large tires to handle mud, sand and even snow.

The 5- to 8-mile fun rides are for all levels and will last up to 2 hours, depending on the weather. Riders will roll through the Red House area of the park. If there is no snow, any bike is welcome.

Although pre-registration is not required, anyone interested in borrowing a bike should call (716) 379-6939 as availability is limited.

New Gear’s Eve Bike Ride begins at Camp Allegany at 6 p.m. Dec. 31; ride starts at 6:30.

Bring lights, wear warm and reflective gear and a helmet. A social will follow in the Mess Hall at Camp Allegany. Bring your own snacks.

For more info, call the Environmental Education Department at (716) 3796939.

Next Level Mountain Biking will lead First Day Bike in the Red House area. Meet at the Administration Building at 11 a.m. Jan. 1, 2024.

Fat-tire bikes suggested. For more info, contact Kristian Reiber at nextlevelmountainbiking@gmail.com or (716) 785-2685.

Monthly fat bike rides are set for 6:45 p.m. (meet at 6:30) Friday evenings Jan. 19, Feb. 16 and March 15. Bring warm clothes, a helmet, a head light and a sense of adventure.

Check in will be at Camp Allegany in January and February and the Red House Administration Building on March 15.

Bradford Publishing Company | December 7, 2023

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Life in the

December 7, 2023 | Bradford Publishing Company

Pennsylvania’s state parks offer year-round outdoor fun for cross-country skiing, however, several offer groomed trails and a few also have warming huts.

The following state parks offer groomed cross-country skiing trails: Denton Hill (trail use fee applies), Chapman, Ole Bull, Cook Forest, Parker Dam, Laurel Ridge, Kooser, Oil Creek and Ohiopyle state parks.

By MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER

Looking to explore Pennsylvania’s great outdoors? There are 124 state parks with more than 300,000 acres for all kinds of outdoor activities, year round.

There are opportunities for cross-country skiing, sled riding, snowmobiling and ice skating, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Nature lovers might even enjoy seeing a familiar park without its cover of leaves and under a blanket of snow. Kinzua Bridge State Park doesn’t have areas set aside for activities like sled riding, but the visitors center is open seven days a week until January, when the schedule changes to Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Educational programs are scheduled year-round.

Snowshoeing is available anywhere there is enough snow.

Find out where there is snow in state parks with the State Parks winter report on the DCNR’s website at https://www. dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/ WinterReport, updated from first snow until spring thaw.

Cross-country skiing at State Parks

Parks in the northern tier typically receive plenty of snowfall each year for winter activities,

Sledding at State Parks

particularly in the northern-most counties and the northeast and northwest corners of the state.

Lake-effect snowfall in the northwest blankets the region with an average of 70 to 113 inches of snowfall during winter ensuring suitable conditions for cross-country skiing.

In the northeast corner, snow generally sticks around a little longer with the region’s cold temperatures.

The Laurel Highlands hold great potential for snow cover as well with the highest average snowfall in the state. Most state parks have trails open

Racing down a hill on a sled or snow tube is a winter activity enjoyed by children of all ages.

Many state parks block off an area during the winter for sledding, and some have warming huts or fire pits.

Please abide by the guidelines set by the individual parks for the safety and enjoyment of everyone involved.

In the north and west parts of the state, sledding is available at Lyman Run State Park, Chapman State Park, along with Bald Eagle, Hills Creek, Kettle Creek, Little Pine, Parker Dam, Raymond B. Winter, Clear Creek, Cook Forest, Keystone, Laurel Hill, Maurice K. Goddard, Moraine, Ohiopyle, Pymatuning, Raccoon Creek, Ryerson Station and Yellow Creek state parks.

Ice Skating at State Parks

Ice skating in a state park is on the natural ice of the lake, but the ice is

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Bradford Publishing Company | December 7, 2023

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Pennsylvania’s state parks

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Tioga State Forest land daily after the close of the deer season in December. The park provides parking, picnic tables and restrooms.

At Kettle Creek State Park, Renovo, snowmobiles must stay on designated trails and have a current registration.

Park trails connect to many miles of trails in the surrounding Sproul State Forest.

Lyman Run State Park, never as smooth as a rink.

The view in a park can be spectacular. Always be careful when venturing onto the ice!

If you plan to go where the ice is not monitored for safety, make sure ice is at least 4 inches thick for a single skater and 7 inches thick for a small group. Always carry safety equipment.

In the northern part of the state, Lyman Run State Park provides ice skating in the swimming area. Ice thickness is not monitored.

At Sinnemahoning State Park, with conditions permitting, an ice skating area is available on the pond at the Wildlife Viewing Area near the northern end of the park. Please use caution.

Snowmobiling at State Parks

Snowmobiles may be operated on designated trails and roads within state parks from the day following the last deer season in December until April 1, conditions and weather permitting.

Chapman State Park, Warren, is a trailhead to

more than 300 miles of trails in Allegheny National Forest. Many of these trails are groomed depending on conditions.

The trails are open after the end of deer season in late December through March 31. Chapman provides ample trailer parking, heated restrooms and a warming hut.

At Colton Point State Park, Wellsboro, registered snowmobiles may use the trail network on

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Galeton, has a 43-mile loop trail in Susquehannock State Forest that passes through the park.

At Ole Bull State Park, Cross Fork, a snowmobile trailhead provides access to the many miles of Susquehannock State Forest trails. Snowmobiles are permitted on marked trails only. ATVs are not permitted.

At Sinnemahoning State Park, Austin, the park trail consists of 1.1mile of joint-use road and 4.1 miles of trail for a total of 5.2 miles. The trail is clearly delineated by signs and orange blaze markers. The park trail joins the trails of the Elk State Forest at the Brooks Run Road, making a 25-mile trail system (park and forestry). All state forest trails are groomed weekly.

At Sizerville State Park, Emporium, the two miles of park trails provide access to 66 miles of groomed snowmobile trails on adjacent Elk State Forest land. The average yearly snowfall is 60-70 inches. The park provides parking and restrooms.

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December 7, 2023 | Bradford Publishing Company

Life in the

Cross country skiers hope for better winter weather in ASP

By RICK MILLER

RED HOUSE — Due to a lack of snow, the 202223 season was up and down for cross country skiing on the Art Roscoe Cross-Country Ski Trail System in Allegany State Park.

Often last season there was either no snow or not enough for state park grooming equipment to groom and lay double tracks on the 20-mile trail system.

After a late start in January, there were frequent reports of fair to poor conditions and washouts at lower levels on the Art Roscoe trails.

Park officials and skiers alike are hoping for better, consistent conditions for the 2023-24 season.

Two good sources for trail information is Allegany State Park (716) 3549101 or Allegany Nordic, a group of volunteers who help look after the Art Roscoe trails and describe it as “one of the finest double-track trail systems in the Northeast U.S.” Their blog can be found at www. alleganynordic.org.

An example of a good skiing day was listed on the Allegany Nordic website on March 13, 2022: “ASP received 6 inches of new snow. Park employees are clearing the trails of debris and setting tracks this AM. Should be some great skiing! “

A posting by Mary Vincent Gibbs on Allegany Nordic’s Facebook page two weeks later found the Art Roscoe trails “unskiable. Short season, but there were a few good days.”

In the comments on that post, Jerry Steiner wrote it was, “A tragic, unforgettable lost season.

I’ll keep the faith and hope for an awesome season next year.”

In the waning days of November this year, the U.S. Weather Service forecast lake-effect snow over parts of Western New York which could net the higher altitudes at Allegany State Park — including the Summit Area that is the trailhead for the Art Roscoe Cross Country Skiing Trail System — between 6 and 8 inches of snow on Nov. 27 and 28.

That lake-effect snow warning was enough to get the attention of cross-country skiers within driving distance of Allegany State Park. Dozens of cross-country skiers began checking their equipment at the news.

With 6-8 inches of snow, some cross country skiers would be out checking the trails even before there is enough of a base for the park snow groomers. It’s not uncommon to see a track on the from cross-country skis even

File photo Cross country skiers at the trailhead of the Art Roscoe Cross Country Ski Area in Allegany State Park.

before the snow stops.

While the park trail crew has made improvements to the trail and cleared it as late as this fall, be prepared to stop for fallen trees that can come down in high winds.

Make sure to report any downed trees to state park officials at (716) 354-9101.

There is no snowshoeing or hiking on the cross-country trails and dogs are not permitted on the trails during the winter.

Bradford Publishing Company | December 7, 2023

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December 7, 2023 | Bradford Publishing Company

Life in the

Deb Everts photo The Eagles group from Holiday Valley’s Snowsports are ready to make like penguins and slide down the slope for a worthy cause.

Winter fun both on the slopes and off in Ellicottville

By Kellen M. Quigley

ELLICOTTVILLE — Chase away the winter blues and share some good times with family and friends at the many events offered in Ellicottville as well as at Holiday Valley and HoliMont ski resorts.

Welcome 2024 at the resort’s New Year’s Eve Celebration on Dec. 31.

The event begins Dec. 31 at 9 p.m. and continues through Jan. 1 at 1 a.m. This will be a family-friendly party on the main floor of the lodge with a DJ. Afterward, guests will have the perfect view of the Groomer Parade and the Torchlight Parade on

Cindy’s Run at 11:15 p.m.

Fireworks will follow at 11:45 p.m. with the Grand Finale at midnight.

There are several ski packages and events for those hitting the slopes at Holiday Valley in the new year, including College Daze from Jan. 7-9, Your Turn Women’s Ski Clinic on Jan. 24 and 25, the Tell a Friend Tour on Feb. 15 and the Telestock day on Feb. 23.

The Penguin Paddle, set for Saturday, Feb. 24, is one of the most anticipated events of the ski season and the major source of funding for the Lounsbury Adaptive Ski Program or LASP. The annual Penguin Paddle is an all-day event that is held slope side of Yodeler Lodge.

In addition to the belly slides down the hill, there will be a buffet cook-out lunch, silent auction, wine wall and a raffle filled with awesome items. The silent auction features over 150 items including beautiful gift baskets, ski and outdoor gear, home decor and gift cards from many of Ellicottville’s fine local restaurants and businesses.

Holiday Valley Resort is located at 6557 Holiday Valley Road. To find out more, call (716) 699-2345 or visit online at holidayvalley.com.

HoliMont Ski Area also has several events in store for the public this winter.

Contractor’s Day is set for Jan. 26 and will be filled with many fun activities taking place on and off the slopes. This includes the 36th annual Dave Pitkin Memorial Ski Race, dedicated to him to commemorate his enduring spirit, his contributions to the HoliMont Racing Club, and his part in creating the racing hill.

The following month, the 2nd annual Ski4aCure event will take place Feb. 16. HoliMont and Ski Club of Lockport are hosting a “Ski 4 a Cure” event to help raise money for Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Come enjoy a day of skiing, food and entertain-

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Bradford Publishing Company | December 7, 2023

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Ellicottville

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ment, while supporting a great cause. This includes a scavenger hunt, fun race, Bombardier ball drop, costume parade and more.

HoliMont will also host several members’ events during the winter months.

HoliMont Ski Area is located at 6921 Route 242 at the western end of Ellicottville. For information on public skiing, events and rates, visit online at holimont.com or call (716) 699-2320.

There are several events planned for the village of Ellicottville during the winter months as well.

The Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce is kicking off 2024 with the Winter Blues Weekend. From Jan. 18-20, live performances

Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce photos

A band performs during a previous year’s Winter Music Jam in Ellicottville. The 2024 event runs Feb. 23-25.

A band performs during a previous year’s Winter Blues Weekend in Ellicottville. The 2024 event runs Jan. 18-20.

will take place at various venues and establishments throughout the village and Holiday Valley.

Back again is Ellicottville’s newest music festival, the Winter Music Jam, which will take place Feb. 23-25 at many favorite venues throughout the Village and at Holiday Valley.

At least 15 different acts are expected to perform over the weekend offering all different kinds of music for people’s listening pleasure.

Ellicottville’s last event of the ski season is the Winter Carnival featuring the Mardi Gras Parade, March 9 and 10. For more information on this and all events, check the chamber’s website at ellicottvilleny.com or call 699-5046.

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December 7, 2023 | Bradford Publishing Company

Life in the

Snowmobile owners hoping for plenty of snow this winter

By RICK MILLER

Everyone is hoping for good snowmobiling weather this winter — from sled owners to restaurant and bar owners, convenience stores and gas stations and motorsports stores.

The Twin Tiers region that includes Cattaraugus and Allegany counties in New York and McKean, Potter, Cameron and Elk counties has access to upwards of 1,000 miles of snowmobile trails.

Trail networks that, by the way, also connect to routes beyond the region include those in Allegany State Park, which offers 90 miles of some of the best groomed trails in Western New York, and the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania, which has more than 365 miles of groomed trails in interconnected loops.

There are a couple of issues, however, that come up every year. First, trails in New York state remain closed until the end of deer hunting season. That eliminates two months of potential snowmobiling — November and December.

The second issue is snow cover. In recent years, much of the region has had limited snowmobiling activity due to a lack of consistent snow cover.

Often, as soon as snowmobile clubs were able to groom trails, it would rain, closing the trails again.

Clubs still get out each fall to put signs up along the trails they negotiate with landowners to use each year. If possible, they get out to mark the trails before deer season starts, but some clubs still find themselves signing the trails at the last moment.

The Cattaraugus County Department of Economic Development, Planning and Tourism offers downloadable maps of the the snowmobile trails in the county, including the state park. The website is at www.cattco.org.

They not only provide detailed trail map, but locations of food, gas, lodging, parts and repairs and other information along the snowmobile trails.

Several of the trails hook up with trails maintained by clubs in surrounding counties as well.

Besides a grate snowmobile trail system, Allegany State Park offers lodging from rustic cabins to cottages.

One reason to join a club is that the $100 snowmobile registration fee is reduced to $45 if the owner is a member of a snowmobile club.

In addition, $10 of that state registration fee comes back to snowmobile clubs to maintain snowmobile trails they oversee and purchase equipment to maintain trails.

This season, nine snowmobile clubs that maintain trails in Cattaraugus County will share in more

File photo Snowmobilers move along the Red House Hiking and Biking Trail in Allegany State Park.

than $174,000 in grants from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

County lawmakers authorized the Snowmobile Trail Grant funding for the Cattaraugus County Federation of Snowmobile Clubs on Nov. 22.

The clubs and the 2023-24 trail maintenance grants are:

Ashford Snowmobile Club (West Valley) — $12,342.

Elibomwons, Inc.

(Randolph) — $30,429

Enchanted Mountains Border Riders Snowmobile Club

(Westons Mills) — $4,608.

Franklinville Snow Sled Club — $29,922.

Portville Snowmobile Club, Inc. — $13,440.

Snow Bounders, Inc. (Cattaraugus) — $53,016.

Southern Tier Snow Drifters, Inc. (Springville) — $10,074.

Tri-County Drift Hoppers Snowmobile Club (Sandusky) — $15,360.

Western New York Snowmobile Club of Boston, Inc. — $5,082.

In Pennsylvania, the State Snowmobile Association (PSSA) can be reached at (888) 411-7772. The Allegheny National Forest provides trail condition reports at (814) 723-5150 (press 4 for a summary) or check out the ANF’s website.

ANF officials note that many snowmobile trails are located on jointuse roads — users may encounter motor vehicles, dog sled teams and cross-country skiers at any time. Obey all posted signage, stay on established trails and yield to groomers.

Grooming of snowmobile trails in the ANF is done during the night, Thursday through Monday.

All motorized vehicles, including snowmobiles, ATVs and amphibious watercraft, are prohibited on the Allegheny Reservoir’s frozen surface.

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Photo by Wade Robertson It’s winter and many are looking forward to ice fishing, but the ice has been unpredictable the last few years and time on it has been limited. However, there’s still winter fishing to pursue, ice or no ice.

Winter season doesn’t mean no fishing

By WADE ROBERTSON

Ice fishing is a lot of fun and can be a very productive way of not only getting out of the house into the great outdoors post-hunting season, but in providing some tasty fish fries.

But safe ice for fishing — particularly through

early winter — is never a guarantee. However, you can still go fishing and with a little luck catch a few fish from shore or boat.

On one winter day, the temperature hovered right at the freezing mark.

A friend and I had cabin fever and decided to drive over to Lake Erie and hit a steelhead stream. Snow was on the ground and

crunched underneath our boots as we walked to a run and rigged up. I was using a 7-foot spinning rod with 6-pound test. A recent thaw had the creek up and it was high, but nothing unfishable.

Several fishermen were there ahead of us despite the early hour, already occupying the better spots, but several deeper runs remained open. I tied on a

white woolly bugger and pinched a small split shot about a foot above it, then fastened a small foam float 3 feet above the fly.

The first few casts I had trouble placing the fly exactly where I wanted it.

I moved slightly upstream and a little farther into the current. The next cast hit

continued on page 21 >>

Bradford Publishing Company | December 7, 2023

Winter Life

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Winter season FISHING perfectly against a rock on the far shore and swirled into the eddy beneath it.

The float quivered slightly and I instantly raised the rod tip. Steelhead can hit very delicately and then release your bait quickly.

At first I felt like I had a snag, but lightening the drag slightly, I realized I had a big steelhead on. I stumbled down the frozen shoreline after it and patiently fought the fish for some 15 minutes before beaching the 30-inch, silver-sided beauty.

Just like that, the day seemed warmer, brighter and much more worth living. Thank goodness we gathered enough ambition to go fishing!

When I think of winter fishing I almost always immediately think of trout fishing. Trout are built for cold water and remain active all winter.

The colder the water, the better they taste, which is another advantage.

Before you go fishing this time of year, though, you better think of dressing warm, especially your feet, which can quickly turn into two blocks of ice standing in bitter-cold water.

I like to layer — long underwear, warm pants, heavy shirt, a vest is especially important, and insulating jacket. Since I buy my waders a little large I always slip chemical warmers into the toes to keep the little piggies warm.

Gloves are especially important in icy conditions. Since it’s all but impossible to fish with

heavy gloves on I’ve taken to wearing thin, rubberized gloves. They keep the breeze off your fingers and your hands dry. Sometimes I cut off just the end of the thumb and trigger finger portions so I can feel the reel handle and keep a secure grip on it.

Always wear a very warm hat and a hood on the jacket is a must as well. You can lose up to 10% of your body heat through an uncovered noggin.

Steelhead are in the Lake Erie and Lake Ontario tributaries all winter.

Some lake-run browns also hang around as well.

I’ve caught steelhead

underneath shelves of ice in the winter months; in fact, it’s a favorite holding spot for them if the water’s deep enough. Despite the colder water trout still hold in current, but slower, deeper water is always productive as well.

Thaws slow fishing down some since melted ice and snow really drops the water temperature to just above freezing. But thaws can also bring fish up from the lake. If the weather holds steady for some time at around 32 degrees the streams warm up since spring water is 55 degrees. It’s been my

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experience that you can fish in 28-degree weather if the wind isn’t blowing.

Colder than that and your line and guides ice up too quickly and heavily.

I’ve had good luck on white and black woolly bugger flies. You can drift them using a fly rod or use a light foam float above them. In the winter I tend to use the spinning rod as fly line ices up pretty easily, though you can dress it to prevent that.

I’ve also used just a single salmon egg with good success, as well as little jigs, smaller flies, nightcrawlers and sometimes small crankbaits or spinners.

Many lakes and streams are open to trout fishing year round in the Twin Tiers region. Case Lake, Harwood Lake, Quaker and Red House are just a few in New York state. Bradford’s Marilla Reservoir was slated to be stocked with trout on Dec. 11 by the Fish & Boat Commission, and the Kinzua Creek from the Guffey Road bridge to Westline was stocked in October and trout will remain in that stretch through the winter.

This time of year I believe I’ve done best on live minnows hooked onto a floating jighead. Some days the fish hit quickly

and on others things are slow, just as in the summer.

Bass and walleyes are also still feeding this time of year. The Allegheny River has runs of prespawn walleyes and the season’s open until March.

Persistent fishermen are often successful. Again, minnows seem to be the most productive bait this time of year; the fish are moving slower and take a while to make up their mind, it seems.

Lakes can not only produce larger fish this time of year, but the panfish are feeding as well. They hang in water shallower than you might think. Crappies, bluegills and perch are often in only 4 to 8 feet of water.

They may also be holding in 10 to 12 feet of water on the edge of the summer’s weed beds.

One thing to avoid is bays that were thick with weeds. As the vegetation decays it uses up the oxygen and gives off carbon dioxide. The fish avoid such areas. Bay areas where streams have deposited large quantities of the fall’s fallen leaves are also often dead zones in winter.

Tiny jigs tipped with a maggot, butter worm or small piece of nightcrawler can be quite productive.

Small minnows do well on perch and you may even hit a school of crappies.

So, if the water fails to freeze, don’t give up hope.

There’s still lots of fishing out there — and a fish fry to follow if you’re lucky.

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December 7, 2023 | Bradford Publishing Company

Navigating the winter weather

By MANDY COLOSIMO

Winter is on its way.

The temps are falling and the snow is inching its way into the region. With the change in the season comes health hazards that may not be as obvious as they could be.

Seasonal depression, frostbite, thin ice and falls are a few things to keep a lookout for as the weather and season begins to change.

For some, the change in seasons sparks a change in mood. Some changes are more depressive and have been named Seasonal Affective Disorder. For those with SAD, depression begins or gets worse in the fall and winter months, reportedly due to the shorter days and changes in weather, both of which relieve a person of their energy. Talk therapy and light therapy are often the best treatments for SAD. The American Psychiatric Association adds, “For some people, increased exposure to sunlight can help improve symptoms of SAD. For example, spending time outside or arranging your home or office so that you are exposed to a window during the day …Taking care of

your general health and wellness can also help — regular exercise, healthy eating, getting enough sleep and staying active and connected (such as volunteering, participating in group activities and getting together with friends and family) can help.”

If you take the advice and get outside more, know that it takes only give to 10 minutes for frostbite to set in, and the temperature need not be subzero.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, “When the temperature dips below freezing, it’s critical to protect your skin from cold-weather health risks.

Frostbite occurs when the skin — and sometimes the tissue beneath the skin — freezes due to prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. Depending on how long and how frozen the tissue, frostbite can result in severe, sometimes permanent, damage.”

To prevent frostbite and stay warm, they advise dressing in loose, lightweight, comfortable layers; protect feet and toes with two pair of socks — the first pair should be made of moisture-wicking fabric and the second pair should be made of wool; protect the head including the ears with a heavy wool

or fleece hat and cover the face with a scarf or face mask to protect the nose; wear insulated mittens to protect fingers; keep boots and clothing dry and free of snow because wet clothing increases the risk of frostbite.

They also suggest staying hydrated, removing layers if sweating and learning to recognize the symptoms of frostbite early. The first signs of frostbite include redness and a stinging, burning, throbbing or prickling sensation followed by numbness. If this occurs, head indoors immediately.

With a prickling or numb feeling in the feet, you are less likely to feel the frozen ground beneath you which can lead to falling on the slick surface.

Taking smaller steps, using handrails or a walking stick, and moving slowly will help you maintain balance and your center of gravity. In the winter, it’s cool to walk like a penguin on slippery surfaces.

Then there’s that one particular slippery winter surface that is a hazard but traveled often by ice fishers. According to an article on the U.S. Army website, “Conditions such as water depth, temperature, currents and distribution of weight, among other factors, can

render seemingly safe ice suddenly dangerous. Each year in North America there are an average of five deaths and countless close calls due to people falling through ice. However, with the right knowledge and safety precautions, the risk can be significantly reduced.”

The information suggests to look for cracks, breaks, holes, weak spots or abnormal surfaces and, if seen, stay off the ice.

Check the color of the ice because it can indicate the strength, but a measurement is best. Light to dark black means the ice has melted and is not safe to walk on. White or opaque can mean the ice is thin, weak or porous with air pockets and not a good walking surface.

Slushy or “rotten” ice can be deceptive because it might seem thick on the surface but the center has rotted — avoid this unsafe condition.

Blue or clear ice is the safest ice to walk on, as long as it is thick enough.

For all ice, less than three inches means keep off.

Four inches is okay for walking and fishing. Five inches is deemed safe for multiple people, and eight to 12 inches is safe for a group.

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