Hello Sliders!

I just got off the phone, (well, it was 3:30 am actually) with Mike Pechner, KCBS, KZZO, KNCI and SOTC meteorologist. He says there's a major change in the weather inbound! On or around December 22nd, a monster storm is headed our way, with up to five feet of snow, perhaps more. Snow to continue through Christmas. Alas dear sliders, how will we cook that turkey while basking in five feet of fresh? We'll pick that bad-boy up from Safeway, that's how!

There's plenty of snow for early season skiing and riding, higher elevations resorts, like Kirkwood are at near full operation right now. Even better, the sun is shining and tickets/lodging are a real value. We've got great hotel deals at both the Cal Neva and Tahoe Biltmore, so you can take that sleeping bag out of your trunk,at least for this weekend.

Slidingonthecheapgear.com!
"But I got to go Christmas shopping," you whine. Forget-about-it! We got you covered at slidingonthecheapgear.com! That's right! We're having the blowout sale of the century on helmets, boards, skis and more, just in time for Christmas! Simply go to slidingonthecheapgear.com, order all the swag you need to cover off family and crew and you're headed for Tahoe today! www.slidingonthecheapgear.com.

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.

Want a special deal? Copy the entire ink below including the second line (if it splits) and paste! http://hit.namimedia.com/cgi-bin/hit?page=13573-113345848329234

Christmas Deals You Ask?
Wow, it was just a couple of years ago, you'd look high and low for deals during the holiday. This season, (if you've got SOTC) you can simply scan down and find lots of great bargains.

Sliding on the Cheap Weekend? Yes! $129.00!
Last chance 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 16th, 17th, 18th.

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

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 http://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 covering:

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 FREE 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

Surviving Christmas, SOTC Style!
Well, it's finally here... The long-awaited traditional beginning of the ski and snowboard season: Christmas holiday. Since you and your family have the time off, and hopefully, a hotel or motel reservation, it's time to wax up those boards and get ready to enjoy one or more days at your favorite resort.

Over the holidays, one of the best way to save money is by purchasing your lift ticket near home, either from a ski shop or resort promotional tie-in partner. In order to guarantee your business when you get to the mountains, some resorts offer discounts in non-ski markets, encouraging you to purchase your tickets in advance.

Where do you find these pearls of cheap-ski information? Sliding on the Cheap, of course. Scan down, dear sliders...or check the website.

While some skiers will pour over the web in search of the best deal there are several common sense ways to save money and time that don't require a coupon, or a buddy working at the resort. Get to the resort early! You've paid a king's ransom for a hotel, perhaps even airfare, and yet you don't roll out of the hotel until 9 or 10 in the morning, only to find long rental lines and crowded slopes.

Plan to arrive an hour before lifts open. Enjoy breakfast, or a cup of coffee while adjusting your gear, getting a trail map and securing the kids into ski school. When the lifts open, be the first one on the chair. You'll do more skiing in the first two hours than the late birds will do the entire day. Groomed slopes only stay perfect so long, especially on a holiday, so make sure you're getting the most for that $60.00 lift ticket.

Eating at the resort kills your budget and consumes precious time. Bring along a lunch and plan to eat early at 11am. At noon, when the slopes empty, you'll get another golden hour, and at the end of the day, you'll magically discover another $100.00 in your wallet.

Kids. Kids. Kids. Most Tahoe resorts cater toward families. Find out who offers free or discounted kids tickets. Squaw Valley for instance, a world class resort, offers kids 12 and under lift tickets for just $5.00.

Other resorts, like Northstar, offer world class Children's programs, half and full day that include lunch and snacks. Parent Share tickets, so parents can trade off skiing and baby-sitting make it much easier on young families. Alpine Meadows, already a bargain, has such a ticket. Super Kids Bargain? Try Planet Kids at Soda Springs!

Here are some quickies: Purchase your tickets in 3,4,5 Paks Buy a season pass, still available at Heavenly, Northstar/Sierra and Sugar Bowl If you're a beginner, a small mountain is all you need and it's cheap!

Hot! Hot! Hot!

Northstar and Sierra
Turn in your lift ticket and get FULL credit toward your Double Whammy Pass. The Double Whammy is already a bargain, starting at just $309.00. Right now, you can turn in your day ticket for FULL VALUE against a Double Whammy. Think about it, ski or ride 5 days this season, and you're sliding the balance freebie, thanks to Julie and Donna. http://www.northstar-at-tahoe.com

Sierra-at-Tahoe
$199 Sierra Pass still valid. Better yet, turn in your all-day lift ticket, (end of day, of course) and get FULL CREDIT toward a $199 Sierra season pass...and that's not all! For a limited time, you get a FREE Sierra--at-Tahoe, stained-glass ornament, thanks to Nicole. www.sierraattahoe.com

Holiday Lessons a Bargain at Diamond Peak.
Take advantage of Diamond Peak's Family and Friends semi-private lesson program, 2-5 people, similar ability you can learn for as little as $18.00 if you take the early bird lessons. Find out why Diamond Peak is your Tahoe place. Details: http://www.diamondpeak.com/

The Tahoe Card... Don't leave for Tahoe without it!
Price goes up after Christmas!!!! One card currently costs $49.99 and if you buy two or more the cost is only $39.99 per card...

What you get: One free lift ticket good at YOUR CHOICE of Kirkwood or Sugar Bowl, plus tons of other deals and discounts. Bottom line, one use pays for the Tahoe Card. Mention you heard about the card from SOTC by putting SOTC in the "heard about" field during checkout and they will include special bonuses:

- A free appetizer at Pyramid Alehouse. A $10 value with no requirement to buy anything. (located in both Berkeley and Sac) - A 2 for 1 lift ticket voucher to Diamond Peak http://www.snowbomb.com/tahoecard

Kirkwood Cross Country
Looking for a fun activity that the whole family can enjoy together? Check out Kirkwood's first-class Cross Country and Snowshoe center, where Debbie and her staff can set you up with cross-country skis or snowshoes and a sled to tow the little ones behind you. Great exercise and nobody gets left out.

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...

  bebobabot [at] *******.net
  ryan.gessel [at] *****.com
  alex90706 [at] *****.com
  kfilice [at] ****.edu

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

Let's go Sliding on the Cheap!

Squaw Valley USA
Holiday Gift Certificates available at http://www.squawshop.com You can slide Squaw free this winter if you're active Military. For details, www.squaw.com If you're sliding Squaw over the holidays, make sure and purchase the Frequent Skier Card. Buy four days, your fifth day is free. Also, kids 12 and under slide for just $5.00. http://www.squaw.com.

Alpine Meadows (holiday rates a bargain at $49.00!)
Open top to bottom with runs for the first time beginner through double diamond expert. Cold temperatures at night means fresh snow daily at Alpine.

Alpine Meadows is adding chairs and terrain daily. Subway will be in operation by the holidays, which will complete the beginner area. For beginners, also open: Meadow, Sunkid, Hot Wheels. Will open Scott chair this weekend. Full terrain park off the kangaroo chair. Stay for as low as $59.00 a night! Valid seven days a week! http://www.skialpine.com

Boreal
Open top to bottom, terrain park with features including: rails, jibs, jumps, super pipe. Open 9am-9pm. Bargain holiday lift ticket price of $38.00! Open for night skiing/riding from 3:30pm-9:00pm seven days a week. $22.00 for night skiing! Boreal's sister resort, Soda Springs will have Planet Kids open daily through the holiday. Designed for Children 10 and under. Includes: Magic Carpet, Tubing, sledding and miniature snowmobiles! http://www.rideboreal.com/

Bear Valley
Coverage top to bottom with some of the best conditions in Northern California. Locals are recommending: Grouse and The Face. Sliders tell us the grooming is excellent.

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

Purchase a discounted Bear Valley lift ticket from participating Bay Area ski shops. Go to http://www.bearvalley.com for listings.

5-Paks are valid daily! Get 5 unrestricted adult lift tickets for just $199.00. You can use these during the holidays.

Learn-to-ski packages: Group lesson 5-Pak. 5 lessons for just $154.00. You'll need to have equipment and purchase lift pass.

3-Pak Save $68.00. You're getting three lesson packages for the price of two.

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
Early Season Prices in effect until December 24th. Ski or Ride for just $35.00 all day. Diamond Peak Ski Resort will open for the 2005/2006 ski season on December 15, 2005. 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. Diamond Peak hosts a variety of ways to ski and ride the holiday cheap, if you just do a bit of preplanning.

Purchase the Costco 2-Pack $63.99 for two tickets. Valid during Christmas holiday.

Purchase a Mini Pass, valid for 2,3,5 or 7 days. You can for as low as $30.14 a day using the Mini Pass The Mini Pass is valid daily, including holidays and is transferable.

Santa will visit Diamond Peak, on December 23rd and 24th. Giving away free candy canes.

Learn to Ski/Ride Cheap! Take advantage of Diamond Peak's Family and Friends semi-private lesson program, 2-5 people, similar ability you can learn for as little as $18.00.

Ski and Stay Package at Diamond Peak: From $59.00 per person http://www.diamondpeak.com/ for more information.

Heavenly
Open top to bottom, massive snowmaking. Locals report the skiing and riding, excellent, especially at the higher elevations.

HEAVENLY TURNS 50! It's been 50 years since Chris and Dottie Kuraisa purchased two rope-tows and the Bijou Ski Run for $5,700 to open "Heavenly Valley." Join Heavenly December 15-18 for an epic birthday bash including rail jams, an explosive fireworks display, live music and DJs, the Warren Miller Experience, parties both day and night, and plenty more surprises! The only things "Over the Hill" about Heavenly these days are the runs - all 91 to be exact. So grab your skis or board, and get ready to party like it's 1955! http://www.skiheavenly.com/ for schedule of events.

Give the Gift of Heavenly There's no better gift than Lake Tahoe's largest winter playground. Click here to buy a Heavenly gift certificate! http://www.skiheavenly.com/tickets_rentals/gondola_lift_certs/

For the Sport on Your List Check out great deals on hard and soft goods at Heavenly Sports! http://www.heavenlysports.com/

Heavenly All Year Long! That's right; there's still time to buy your Heavenly season pass for only $319! http://www.skiheavenly.com/tickets_rentals/season_pass/ Pass Sale Ends December 16th!

Heavenly for the Holidays Spend the holidays at Heavenly! Pre-Christmas, post-Christmas, and Ski Free, Stay Free packages are available online! Starting at $226 per person! http://reservations.snow.com/promo.mainmenu.asp?SiteID=9

Homewood (Not open yet!)
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
The-best-natural-snow-in-Tahoe. Locals recommend: Intermediate - Timber Creek/Chair 7, Advanced/Expert - Chair 10 The Wall Ski/Ride, top to bottom. Will be 100% open at Christmas. Find discounted tickets at participating retailers. Take advantage of Kirkwood exclusives: Expedition Camps and Clinics Junior Expedition Team (3-day camp for kids) Dog Sled Rides Kids Disco

COSTCO 2-PAKS: $94.99 Adult & $79.99 Junior. Save over 20% on adult and 18% on Jr. tickets when purchasing 2-Paks at participating Costco stores. Adult vouchers can be exchanged for a Learn To Ski package ages 13+. Costco 2-Paks are available in 22 locations throughout Northern California and Nevada.

Learn to Ski/Ride Package: $69 Includes, Lifts, Lessons, Rentals If you try it and love it--you can purchase an Adventure Pass for $229.00. This gives you Season Pass, Unlimited lessons and rentals!

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
Open top to bottom, find some of the best conditions in Lake Tahoe at Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe, They have the highest base elevation of any resort in Tahoe.

The Weekend Extender is valid during the holiday. Purchase three consecutive lift tickets for the discount rate of $99.00 using the Weekend extender. Valid for purchase on Friday and Saturdays.

Learn-to-ski/ride for just $49.00. Valid everyday, one of the best learn-to-ski values in Tahoe.

Check the website at http://www.skirose.com. Are you planning a holiday ski/snowboard vacation? Reno 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 and http://www.skirose.com/

Sierra-at-Tahoe
$199 Sierra Pass still valid. Better yet, turn in your all-day lift ticket, (end of day, of course) and get FULL CREDIT toward a $199 Sierra season pass...and that's not all! For a limited time, you get a FREE Sierra--at-Tahoe, stained-glass ornament.

Valid all season long, unlimited excluding holidays, you can rent or test, skis, boots, boards, poles all season long. Great for kids who outgrow gear.

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
Limitless Rentals! Valid all season long, unlimited excluding holidays, you can rent or test, skis, boots, boards, poles all season long. Great for kids who outgrow gear. www.northstarattahoe.com for details.

Reduced Rate lift ticket: $46.00 adults, Adults young adults, $16 for children. Turn in your lift ticket and get FULL 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
Season Pass Sale Ends December 16th! Great Value, Big Mountain, terrain for everyone. Sugar Bowl, located on Donner summit is a short drive from the Bay Area and Sacramento. Their high elevation provides them with excellent snow conditions and the mountain has slopes fit for the beginner through the most advanced expert. $59 lift ticket price during the holidays. Learn to Ski at Sugar Bowl this Christmas! $50 Beginner package, includes group lessons, rentals and beginner lift ticket. Get $10.00 of a children's ticket by getting a free coupon at any participating McDonalds See http://www.sugarbowl.com for details.

Mt. Judah Day Lodge Grand Opening Party! Now scheduled for December 17th. 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

Soda Springs
Lift ticket price at Soda Springs: $25.00, $16.00 tubing and $10.00 for kids. Soda Springs will have Planet Kids open daily through the holiday. Designed for Children 10 and under. Includes: Magic Carpet, Tubing, sledding and miniature snowmobiles! 10 laps on the miniature snowmobiles for $7.00. (Electric snowmobiles, your kids will go wild.) http://www.skisodasprings.com/

Next week dear sliders...more snow and Christmas deals!

Kevin Tinto + Crew
Editor-in-Chief