Kissing Bridge is an aging facility that only does what it has to do. The lift lines can be really long do to the antiquated lift system. If you travel 45 minutes south you are in the real ski country! High speed lifts and up to date amenities.
I've been skiing KB for over 20 years and I still enjoy coming here every time. Yes, it is dated and needs updating for sure, but I think that is all part of the KB charm. It's a "blue collar" ski hill where you can wear a pair of jeans and and your old ski jacket and not feel out of place. People come here to ski, grab a drink and have a good time....not to sit around drinking a latte, and showing off their new ski outfit that will never touch a lift. It's never crazy busy, and there is enough variety to keep you going for a day or two. The food, drinks and lift tickets are reasonable compared to many other ski resorts I've been to. All I can say is give KB a try, you wont be disappointed.
In the middle of February 2014, I skied KB on Saturday and Holiday Valley on Sunday. HV is larger and has a more varienty that KB. KB had the better terrain parks. Lift lines were about the same. Snow was actully better at KB. HV was actually had more ice. Same day, same day same snow, I'd go to KB if I'm a boarder. If I'm a skier and done't have a full day, I'd go to KB. Consider the extra hour in the car.
We visited this ski area just to check it out for the first time. While we were in the parking lot a truck slid into another parked car while trying to park. Small hill with more than a few runs. They were really getting the snow when we were there. It is small but very close to drive to from Orchard Park, NY it was within 30 minutes on a good day of driving conditions. Lodge is dated but after all it is a ski area. Good family fun area.
After 20 years of going to Ellicottville to ski I decided to take my daughter to Kissing Bridge. It is the perfect place for a nine year old to ski. We have been back since and plan to ski there again.
I have thoroughly enjoyed skiing at KB for over 30 years. Grooming has usually been remarkable until recently. Today, January 20, only 3 slopes of the entire area were groomed. Despite driving an hour each way to KB, I left at noon and met others leaving for the same reason. Adding insult to injury, the snow report claimed all slopes in the Central area to be groomed. I like KB very much and don't want to see it lose out due to false advertising and cutting corners. I'm sure you can do better.Respectfully yours,JCB
Well i havnt been to KB in many years but me and my daughter went this week and after having been to holiday valley alot latley it was a nice change. Its compact and convinant everything is right there in one place. Rentals, food,drinks,lift tickets,and parking. If you want a easy place to go with less hussle bussle then this is it. That being said to go week after week this it would prolly get old because it is a smaller place. Enjoy!!!
Not a bad hill, especially if you have kids. My kids (ten and eight) are still learning to ski. Kissing Bridge is more than enough hill for them. The lifts are very dated (slow) and some are very uncomfortable. And the lodges are definitely showing their age. But the runs are well kept and it is not too crowded. I like you can easily move around the hill. I also like that Kissing Bridge is in a valley; the wind was never an issue. Tickets are reasonably priced. Lack of good signage is an issue. Food is expensive and nothing special. Overall, we found Kissing Bridge, despite its old age, to be fine for our intermediate-level skiing needs. We will be back.
For Beginners and Intermediate skiers this place is PERFECT. Loved Thunder Run. The runs arent as difficult as posted and when conditions are nice there really isnt a run someone couldn't do unless you have been on skis for an hour. The employees are wonderful! Its quaint and for a Saturday, it wasnt busy at all. Hardly any waiting. This place is perfect for a day trip. Its a 31;2 hr drive for us and we were pleased. Try to go with a ski club to get the best deals. Ski and Learn with rentals should not cost you more than 40.00.
What you are not getting: fast lifts, quality dining, impressive lodges, long lines, crowded slopes, architectural aesthetics, places to spend the night.What you do get: inexpensive lift tickets, friendly and authentic service, cheap beer and food, excellent instructors, a variety of beginner and intermediate terrain, a reasonable terrain park, very short lines (but with slow lifts) an easy walk from the parking lot, night skiing, great grooming and snow making, lots of seating for families to seat and eat their own food.Bottom line - this is a good value especially if you're able to get discounted lift tickets - they've been at the Peace Bridge before. It has a fun and unpretentious feel about it. Yes, the buildings are old and the the lifts are in desperate need of upgrades; however, it's close to home for us and makes a somewhat cheap yet very fun day trip. If you're from Canada it's as close to the GTA as Collingwood yet is so much cheaper and has virtually no line ups. So, if you want an inexpensive day on the slopes and don't care about the infrastructure, KB can be a good option if you realize the trade-offs.