Hello Sliders!

We are most definitely back in the saddle again dear sliders. All ski areas are open, with the exception of Diamond Peak and Homewood, these two are scheduled to open on December 15th. Ski and Boarding conditions are surprising good, considering that much of last week's super-storm came as rain, well, it came as rain below 7,000 feet. Above 7,000 the higher elevation resorts got pounded with up to five feet of snow. The tail end of the storm got cold and the frosting on top: 12 inches of light powder. With cold temperatures, and snowmaking, even the lower slopes are filling in and it's currently snowing lightly in the Tahoe basin. The bottom line: sliding is about as good as it gets for early December and there are still plenty of deals and discounts, including discounted or great value lift tickets: Northstar $46, Alpine $41 and Sugar Bowl $36. These prices can and do change dear sliders--check again.

Our Wonderful Sponsor - Cal Neva!
Have you been to Cal Neva recently? It's one of the most affordable but elegant hotels on the Northshore. Every room has a lake view. Easy access to five ski resorts. Great ski and stay packages with breakfast. Plenty of free/valet parking. Free live entertainment in the Circle Bar Lounge Friday and Saturday nights. Apres Ski. Tahoe transit has on-property stops. Package information and reservations. We love the Cal Neva, so will you! 1 800 225 3682. http://www.calnevaresort.com

Deals You Ask?
We've got so many, you'll have to scan down to find what you need. Sugar Bowl, Homewood, Northstar, Sierra, and Heavenly still have (value) season pass deals available. If you're planning to ski or ride more than five days this season, it pays to buy a pass--bottom line.

Learn to Ski/Ride on the Northshore for $20! - December 10th and 11th
It's the annual $20 ski/ride bargain of the year. Do you want to learn or know someone who does? First-timers have their choice of resorts to learn at including: Alpine Meadows, Granlibakken, Mountain Resort, Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe, Northstar-at-Tahoe, Squaw Valley USA and Sugar Bowl. Reservations are not required but sliders should arrive early. Lesson packages can be purchased at each individual resort the day of lessons. Some restrictions apply. Call 800-824-6348 for lodging details. Resorts that may not be open December 10th, 11th will offer a Learn to Ski Weekend when weather permits. http://www.puretahoenorth.com

Sliding on the Cheap Weekend? Yes! $129.00!
It's time to live on the wild side, sliders! Come up and ski/ride with the crew this weekend. $129.00 gets you: Two nights at the Tahoe Biltmore Hotel and Casino, two breakfasts each, two tickets each to Alpine Meadows. This package is per person double occupancy, no singles. This package is valid this Friday, Saturday and Sunday ONLY! December 9th, 10th, 11th.

It's just $129.00 per person double occupancy, plus taxes and surcharges. YOU MUST use code: SOC 12 when calling to book this ski weekend. Call 1 800 BIL-TMOR and use code SOC 12 http://www.tahoebiltmore.com

Our Esteemed Meteorologist!
KCBS and SOTC's Mike Pechner says to expect 2" -6" of new snow by tomorrow morning, clear and cold weekend ahead, great for snow making. Next chance for serious snow--middle/late next week.

A Dream Come True! Ski Free at Northstar/Sierra!
How would you like to ski FREE at Northstar or Sierra-at-Tahoe?? Help TelePacific and they can send you to the slopes! Click here to find out more about the TelePacific Powder Program: http://www.telepacific.com/ski

What is Sliding on the Cheap?
The Sliding on the Cheap newsletter is free and is delivered once a week during the season and twice monthly during the fall! What will you find? A complete INSIDER guide to skiing and riding Lake Tahoe's world-class resorts. Yeah. Sure. We got cheap tickets, hotel, lodging, food...but we've also got the best up to date scoop on Tahoe happenings--anywhere on the planet. To sign-up (or drop) go to www.slidingonthecheap.com! Yes, and we give away FREE lift passes, (and swag) to SOTC readers selected at random from our list each and every week!

Yes! We cover the entire planet!
(Well, not really--let's just say 99% of where you'd want to ski or ride.) Sign-up for our newsletters for:

Lake Tahoe/Northern California/Nevada Southern California The Northwest Colorado Utah New England

Go to http://www.slidingonthecheap.com to sign up for any one of our cherished email blasts...

As usual, if you don't see what you're looking for here, don't find it here--go to the website of course at: http://www.slidingonthecheap.com

Hot! Hot! Hot!

Great Northstar Christmas Gift Idea for Kids!
Northstar has a world-class children's ski school program, Star Kids. If you have ankle-biting sliders, you can purchase a Star's 4-Pak for just $329.00. The Star's 4-Pak includes four all-day lesson packages: lift tickets, lessons, rentals and lunch. http://www.northstarattahoe.com

Kirkwood
They Got Snow...now you need a kill deal. Costco is the best deal in town, with 2Paks of lift tickets selling for $94.99 ($47.50 each) for Adults; $79.99 ($39.99 each) for Juniors. Kirkwood also has discounted lift tickets at most ski shops in Tahoe and the Bay Area. http://www.skikirkwood.com

Sugar Bowl
Has top to bottom sliding, with $36.00 lift tickets. Located on the top of Donner Summit just off I-80, Sugar Bowl offers the shortest drive time from the Bay Area for that quick fix. http://www.sugarbowl.com

Heavenly
Still selling the $319.00 season pass! http://www.skiheavenly.com

Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe--Great choice for an affordable holiday ski vacation
While some Tahoe-based hotels are commanding enormous holiday rates, you'll find great packages with Mt. Rose and Reno. Check http://www.renotahoe.com

Alpine Meadows
Got pounded with the last storm so they're good to go, top to bottom. Good ticket price: $41.00 www.skialpine.com

You've Won a Free Ticket to Northstar/Sierra!
Northstar: The-Best-Family-Resort-On-The-Planet Sierra-at-Tahoe and Northstar-at-Tahoe Gift Cards Available Now! Purchase gift cards directly from the resorts off their websites. They come in denominations including: $25, $50, $75, $100, $150, $200, $250 and $500! http://www.northstarattahoe.com and http://www.sierraattahoe.com. You can always send a couple our way...

If you see your email address listed below...

  dwnhilladv [at] ***.com
  wtwebster [at] *******.net
  Andrew [at] ********.com
  ski12dpd [at] ***.com

Send a note to kwtinto [at] aol.com within 7 days to claim your ticket!

More swag to Giveaway! That's right dear sliders... Vertical Sunglasses is giving away four pair of Extreme Wraps to our sliders. Do you see your address below? Send a note to kwtinto [at] aol.com to claim!

  debbie [at] *******.com
  arouncoumar [at] *****.com
  paul [at] ****.net
  Susanhodell [at] *********.com

Let's go Sliding on the Cheap!

Alpine Meadows - (you want bowl? Alpine's got the best)
Snowing lightly at Alpine! Open top to bottom including chairs: Summit 6, Round House, Kangaroo. They've got 34" at mid mountain and our sources report skiing and riding is very good. Learn more on the North Shore at Alpine! $20.00 for the weekend, expect to find beginner through expert terrain open on a good base. Regular daily lift ticket price will be $41.00, holiday rates are $49.00. Ski & Stay for as low as $59.00 a night! Valid seven days a week! http://www.skialpine.com

Boreal (Learn to Snowboard Mecca, the house chili is good too)
Open top to bottom, with a 36" base. This weekend planning to operate three chairs including: Gunnar's, Claim Jumper, Accelerator, may have more open pending new snow. Open for night skiing/riding from 3:30-9:00pm seven days a week. $22.00 gets you a ticket. This weekend, free contest at Boreal. Premature Jibulation with Rome snowboards. Giving swag away and prizes for best tricks.

Night Pass! $99 - Ski or ride 3:30-9pm every night! Valid 7 days a week and holidays! College Pass! $99 - Valid Monday-Friday including Holidays

Boreal's Season Pass rates are a great deal. Buy an anytime adult pass for just $399, anytime child pass (ages 5-12) for just $150.00. Your 2005/2006 Boreal pass is valid at Alpine Meadows in the spring when Boreal closes for the season. http://www.rideboreal.com (Night Skiing and Riding Sliders...Boreal hosts the best in Tahoe) Super Saver Pass! $249 - Sunday-Friday non holiday Checkout Tahoe's only all-mountain terrain park. http://www.rideboreal.com

Bear Valley (your east bay connection)
Reporting 30" base on top, 20" at lodge. OPENING WEDNESDAY! (That's today dear sliders) Projected operations include three lifts with access to the Upper Mountain and 90 percent of the Backside. All guest services will be open and ready to serve.

Bear Valley is the first Northern California ski resort to offer direct to lift holiday gift certificates. Purchase the lift ticket from any participating retailer, and you can simply peel off the backing, slam it onto a wicket and you're sliding. No waiting in line. The best part dear sliders--- the tickets are discounted! >From $37 to $39 depending upon the retailer. For a list of retailers: http://www.bearvalley.com

For up to date weather forecasts, mountain cam and unbelievable lodging specials visit http://www.bearvalley.com or contact the main office at 209.753.2301

Diamond Peak (best views in Tahoe, best food nearby at T's)
Diamond Peak Ski Resort will open for the 2005/2006 ski season on December 15, 2005, weather permitting and we think they're gonna open on schedule. Opening Day at Diamond Peak is also Community Appreciation Day. Anyone who lives within a fifty-mile radius of Diamond Peak can ski for only $15 all day! Locals can present their picture ID at any ticket window for the discount ticket. (You've still got time to quit that job commuting from Roseville into San Francisco, move to Incline and grab that $15.00 ticket.)

It is a special day for Diamond Peak Passholders too! Free BBQ lunch on opening day! Season Passholders just need to pick up their free BBQ coupon in the Base Lodge Cafeteria between 11am - 1pm. (If there's free food, can the SOTC crew be far behind? I think not.)

Diamond Peak will host a huge party at the Hacienda December 14 to celebrate the beginning of a great ski season. There will be drink specials, live music and tons of great prizes from Diamond Peak and Village Ski Loft. Party starts at 7pm. The Hacienda is located at 931 Tahoe Boulevard in Incline Village, across the street from Raley's. For more information and current conditions at Diamond Peak call 775-832-1177 or visit http://www.diamondpeak.com. (That's what I'm talking about!)

Check out the Costco 2-Pack $63.99 for two tickets. For more info, check the website for participating locations. http://www.diamondpeak.com

Heavenly (world-class destination resort)
Heavenly offers top to bottom skiing in both California and Nevada! With up to four feet of snow covering its higher elevations, Heavenly will open Stagecoach Lodge on Thursday, December 8th. At that point, Heavenly will be open top to bottom in both Nevada and California, from Stagecoach to Gunbarrel, and offer close to 75 percent of the resort's most popular trails. For more detailed information, please visit http://www.skiheavenly.com

With Tahoe's highest elevation - 10,067 feet, Heavenly received a quality blanket of snow above the 7,500 foot level from last week's storm. However, preparations haven't stopped there. With the largest snowmaking system on the west coast, Heavenly's snowmaking crew continues to blow snow, with the goal of having the entire resort open prior to the Christmas holiday.

And now that the season is officially under way, it's the perfect time to buy your $319 Heavenly Season Pass! The biggest mountain, the best snow, and the highest elevation deserve the best season pass deal! BUY NOW at http://www.heavenlypass.com

Homewood (great view, better value, bigger mountain than you think)
Planning to open December 15th. Ho-Ho-Homewood Day. Bring unwrapped toy with value of $10.00 or more and you get a lift ticket for just $10.00. Still have the $99.00 value pass sale going on. Valid Monday-Thursday, non holiday.

Regular Ticket Prices: Monday-Thursday: $27.00 Friday-Sunday: $45.00 Holiday Price: $48.00

Kids 10 and under ski free with purchase of adult ticket. Buy consecutive day tickets, save $5.00. 530-525-2992 http://www.skihomewood.com/

Kirkwood (It's the French Alps without an attitude)
For Kirkwood, last week's wet storm was more like the perfect storm, providing a solid base, then temperatures dropped and Kirkwood received a couple feet of dry, light snow on top. With consistent cold temperatures, a solid 18-36 inches of base depth and more snow in the forecast this week, Kirkwood is positioned to offer some of the best sliding in the Lake Tahoe region.

Tracy Miller says Kirkwood will be spinning all 11 lifts on Saturday, and with 2,300 acres of terrain ranging from gentle groomers to hair raising steeps, there is endless terrain for all levels to explore. From the top of Thimble Peak to the bottom of Timber Creek, good coverage and tons of real snow - cold, chalky and soft - to play in.

The Cross Country Center is open with 50 kilometers of groomed track with skating lanes and snowshoe lanes to the top of the trail system, offering the most terrain of any cross country center in the High Sierra and exquisite views. Dogs are allowed on the Meadow Loop; pet pass required. Rentals and lessons are available; call (209) 258-7248 for more information.

Stay and Ski Free package. Packages start as low as $64.50 per person, double occupancy, and include accommodations and lift ticket. Please call Kirkwood Vacations at (800) 967-7500 for more information.

Season passes are still on sale, starting at just $199. All paid lift tickets can be turned in for full credit towards a season pass; pass must be purchased same day.

Need More? Call the toll free snow phone at 877 KIRKWOOD. 1 800 967-7500. http://www.kirkwood.com

Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe (great value, huge mountain, cheap lodging!)
Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe is open! They got 36" base and with Mt. Rose's high elevation, much of last week's rain came as snow! Planning to have 80% + open for the weekend, lift ticket price is $54.00. The locals are recommending Ponderosa and Carson Traverse. All daily specials are valid including: 2 fer Tuesdays (Buy 1 Get 1 Free) Student Wednesdays, all student ID's slide for $21.00 Ladies Thursdays - all ladies ski/ride for just $19.00 Want a great Mt. Rose weekend special? Purchase the weekend extender: Three consecutive days, including Saturday and Sunday: $99.00. Runs and Roses! 2 adults, 2 children for just $108.00. Check the website at http://www.skirose.com. Are you planning a holiday ski/snowboard vacation? Reno/Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe offers ski and stay from as low as $59.00. A great way to enjoy a holiday ski vacation at affordable rates. http://www.renolaketahoe.com for all the information.

Sierra-at-Tahoe (big mountain with a family feel)
Open top to bottom, 60% of the terrain is open, reduced lift ticket rates until more terrain open. Locals are recommending: Castle and Lower Main.

Want a cheaper rate than $50.00? Pick up a discount voucher at any participating ski and board shop in the Bay Area, Sacramento and Reno. Present this voucher and get a $41.00 lift ticket. For a list of participating shops, check http://www.sierraattahoe.com.

Turn in your lift ticket at the end of the day and put up to $30.00 toward the purchase of your Double Whammy season pass.

Special Military Discounts! All active duty military ski free every Sunday this winter at Sierra-at-Tahoe excluding two holidays - January 15th and February 19th. You'll need to show official I.D.

3-Paks are back! You get three lift tickets to Sierra valid any day and you don't have to use them consecutive days. $117.00 which means you're sliding for just $39.00 a day. Limited quantity available so purchase them now!

Double Whammy Means Two Times the Fun! Two Mountains for the price of One. Ski and ride all season at Sierra-at-Tahoe and Northstar-at-Tahoe! Experience great mountains on both the North and South shores: huge variety of terrain, award-winning freestyle parks, three half-pipes and challenges for beginning through expert skiers and riders. http://www.sierraattahoe.com

Northstar-at-Tahoe (the-best-family-resort-on-the-planet)
Northstar is open! 5 lifts open including Comstock Express. Reduced Rate lift ticket: $46.00 adults Turn in your lift ticket and get up to $30.00 credit toward your Double Whammy Pass!

Northstar has a world-class children's ski school program, Star Kids. If you have ankle-biting sliders, you can purchase a Star's 4-Pak for just $329.00. The Star's 4-Pak includes four all-day lesson packages: lift tickets, lessons, rentals and lunch. http://www.northstarattahoe.com/

Cheap early season Northstar tickets! Stop by a participating Bay Area, Sacramento and Reno ski shop and get a voucher that gets you a $41.00 lift ticket. Valid through December 23rd! Northstar Village in full operation including: Rentals, Ski School, Food and Beverage and Open Air market where you can find 2006 ski and snowboard gear and clothing.

Lake Tahoe's original dual mountain season pass is back for 2005/06 and with prices beginning as low as $309, after five visits passholders will be skiing and riding free for the rest of the season. For those who haven't heard, the Double Whammy is the passport to ski/ride some of Tahoe's finest terrain spread over 4,480 acres, 115 runs, 27 lifts (including 10 high-speed quads), 11 award-winning freestyle terrain parks, four halfpipes, snowshoeing trails at both resorts-plus 50 kilometers of cross-country trails at Northstar-at-Tahoe.

Double Whammy passholders also receive loads of perks including afternoon rates on all-day lift ticket purchases during blackout dates, loads of discounts on food and beverages, lessons, rental equipment at the resorts, and much more. For more information or to buy the 2005-2006 Double Whammy Season pass visit http://www.DoubleWhammyPass.com or call 1-800-GO-NORTH or (530) 659-7453 x208.

Sugar Bowl (huge cash infusion--awesome mountain)
$36 lift ticket with top to bottom skiing. Sugar Bowl is reporting good early season conditions, but, ski and ride with caution because there may be some unmarked obstacles. Sugar Bowl will have lodge, rentals, food service and ski school in operation, but only out of the main lodge. Mt. Judah lodge is not open until the remodel is completed toward the middle of this month. Season Pass deadline extended! Call for prices and information 530 426-9000

Mt. Judah Day Lodge Grand Opening Party! Now scheduled to happen during the Christmas holidays! More info on the way. This is to celebrate the addition of 17,000 square feet to the lodge and a total remodel. All of our dear readers are invited to join the festivities! Check out progress on the new killer day lodge at: www.sugarbowl.com Big News! Reduced ticket price to $46.00, non- holiday, $59 for the 13 holiday dates.

New High-speed quad going up at Christmas Tree, 14,000 square foot addition at the Mt. Judah Lodge, New Magic Carpet for Sugar Bears. The entire beginner area has been re-contoured.

New Children's Base Camp Program: Sugar Bowl's popular Base Camp program gets bigger and better!! By popular demand, an expanded program will be offered to adventurous outdoor-loving kids ages 4-6. This is a ski based program for kids ready to take on the challenge and really learn to ski. The program provides lesson, rental, lunch, indoor training techniques and a whole lot of fun!! Call 530-426-9000 for more details. http://www.sugarbowl.com

Squaw Valley USA (I can still scare myself silly--it must be good!)
Open with 11 lifts, sliding top to bottom. The Frequent Skier Card is a must if you ski or ride Squaw on a regular basis. Buy four days, your fifth day is free. Also, kids 12 and under slide for just $5.00. http://www.squaw.com/

Next week dear sliders---More!

Kevin Tinto + Crew
Editor-in-Chief

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