­Next weekend marks two big ski and snowboard events at Ellicottville’s major ski resorts. On Saturday, Feb. 11 Holiday Valley Ski resort will host, for the fourth time, the Boarding For Breast Cancer (B4BC) event and HoliMont will host the seventh annual Phoenix International Adaptive Race.

In conjunction with the Boardroom, Holiday Valley is hosting B4BC. B4BC is “a non-profit, youth-focused education and fundraising foundation.” The organization’s mission is to increase breast cancer awareness and the value of early detection and a healthy, active lifestyle. Activities in the name of breast cancer awareness will include: Special riding and park clinics for women, a park contest open to men and women, local shop demos, a cancer awareness outreach booth, silent and Chinese auctions and an awards reception party. Proceeds from Holiday Valley’s B4BC event will go to the Buffalo area’s Women’s Oncology Program at Camp Good Days (see more below) and Boarding for Breast Cancer Awareness Programs.

HoliMont Ski Resort will host the eighth annual Phoenix International Adaptive Race. The Phoenix Adaptive Program gives individuals with disabilities the opportunity to build the confidence and skills to learn how to ski, and has been operating at HoliMont for 16 years. The race, which has a $40 entrance fee is divided into beginner, novice, intermediate and advanced groups, and features a demonstration of the equipment used in adaptive skiing, too. The beginner division will begin racing at 9 a.m. “This is a family-oriented learning experience for students with special needs,” said Chuck Richardson, director of the Phoenix Adaptive Program.

For more information about the Phoenix Adaptive Ski Program and Saturday’s event contact HoliMont Ski Resort at (716) 699-2320. For information about Saturday’s B4BC at Holiday Valley call the ski resort at (716) 699-2345.