In fact, Ellicottville is the only school in the CCAA with a competitive skiing program. Add in a combined team from the Williamsville area and a team from GOW — a private school in the Buffalo area — and those are the only schools in Section VI that offer skiing as a sport.

The limited opportunities certainly have not stopped Ellicottville senior sisters Logan and Hayly Fredrickson from having a prolific success on the slopes.

Consider this: Ellicottville captured the girls team Alpine title at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Skiing Championships in 2017, 2018 and 2019. The Fredrickson sisters were an integral part of those team accomplishments. When it comes to individual honors, Logan was the winner and state champion in the slalom and giant slalom competition in 2019. She also placed first in the giant slalom in 2020. Hayly placed fifth in the slalom and seventh in the giant slalom in 2019. She was second in the giant slalom in 2020.

Those are impressive results, to say the least.

Ellicottville senior Logan Fredrickson competes last winter. P-J photo by Tim Frank

Their father and coach, Kelly Fredrickson, has been able to witness the girls thrive firsthand.

“Just the hard work that it’s taken,” Kelly said when asked what has impressed him the most about his daughters. “They keep at it and (have) determination and just continue to work at it. It has gotten them to where they are at.”

Skiing has been an important part of Logan and Hayly’s lives since they were young.

“I started skiing when I was 2 and I started ski racing when I was 7,” Logan said. “I really like the sport because the adrenaline is insane. The feeling you get when you are waiting at the top of the hill to go down the hill is such a rush and going down the hill so fast and having to think about what you need to do. I just like traveling, too, and having all different experiences. … It’s just a lot of fun.”

As far as the girls’ senior skiing season, the schedule has been somewhat affected because of the COVID-19 pandemic. A normal slate of six to eight events has been cut down to four events, starting March 1 at Holiday Valley. The other events will take place throughout March at Holiday Valley.

In addition, the NYSPHSAA Skiing Championships have been canceled this year, which will prevent the Fredrickson girls from adding to their accolades at the state level.

Logan is currently out of action for an extended period due to an injury and is looking forward to being able to bounce back. Hayly is eager to kick off her senior campaign despite the schedule alterations.

“We don’t have states this year so that’s kind of disappointing,” Hayly said. “But I am mostly just looking to have fun and improve as much as I can, you know? Get the best results I can through high school and through club racing, too.”

The Fredrickson sisters are not sure of their college plans just yet. However, their high school athletic journeys have been unforgettable for them personally. And, most importantly, they have been able to go through those journeys together, which has made the accomplishments and success even more rewarding.

“It’s an unreal feeling when you win a state championship,” Logan said. ” … (Hayly and I) are always so supportive of each other. And it is always so helpful. We understand each other extremely well and we are just so supportive. Last year (at states) when I won and she was standing right beside me on the podium, it was such a proud moment for us. … It was such an amazing feeling and I just couldn’t have done it without her, honestly.”