Greetings Rocky Mountain Lovers, er, SLIDERS!

PHEEWWW! What a week and what a weekend coming up! The US swept the Men's snowboard half pipe competition, and for the first time in almost 50 years! Two US Gold medalists in riding are from my home state of Vermont (just so you know I know my snow!), and the bronze medalist in men's half pipe is from nearby Golden in my adoptive state of Colorado! And guess where he trained, oh snow lovers and friends: LOVELAND! And I guess you all survived Mardi Gras last night or you wouldn't be reading this - I trust you didn't give up SNOWRIDING for Lent! Give up procrastination and have fun instead, and remember to bring your babe and treat him/her to the best thing on the slopes - YOU! The deals we've included in this week's newsletter should sweeten the long holiday weekend even more!

Thought for the week: Aging? Phooey! I can still do what I did when I was nineteen, it just takes longer and hurts more.

Tip o' the Ski Week: Don't know what to get your sweetie for Valentine's Day? Call any resort and ask about a gift certificate! Most of them are good for anything on the mountain, including lift tix, rentals, ski school, retail, and grub, and what a great way to say "I wuv you and wanna wide wiv you fo-wever!" And don't forget to check www.skitown.com. for those procrastinator rewards on their Last Second Club link - there are still 1BR luxury condos available at Keystone for $152/pn (normally $253/pn!). That leaves enough money for the roses and chocolates you really mean to get your sweetie!

Co' Sno' Repo': It's February, and the weather pattern calls for chance of snow showers in the mountains, dry in the plains, through Tuesday and beyond. For more updated weather and snow conditions, visit our happy sponsors at www.weather.com.

AHHHHH-BASIN: Natural attributes. Summit elevation of 13,050, the highest
that's lift-accessed in the US. Is your head in the clouds yet? Last week's mention is well worth repeating - $169 for a rest-of-the-season adult pass which includes unlimited snowriding at the Basin PLUS 5 tickets good at Keystone or Breck, and you can trade one of those in for a pass to Vail or Beaver! While supplies last means call 'em NOW! www.arapahoebasin.com.

ASPEN/SNOWMASS: Yes, there is still inexpensive lodging available for you
and the Aspen of your eye, or grab your best friends, book a condo, and go west, young riders, go west. Too numerous to mention here, you have to see it to believe it at Aspen's Virtual Hostel website, www.aspen4u.com. They weren't kidding when they buzzed the phrase "Affordable Aspen!" www.aspensnowmass.com.

COPPER MOUNTAIN: Everything's coming up roses with this special: surprise
your SO with the Sweethearts Package, one-night lodging in a premium condo, only steps away from the base, combined with a private 1/2 day lesson for the two of you, $190/pp, and book soon because the deal is too darned hot to last long! BTW, here's the insider scoop on Copper: park in the Alpine lot and take the Super Bee gondola, a quick nine-minute ride to the summit. At the base of the always UNCROWDED Bee, hike up to the second level of Copper Station to Grand Hall and get yourself a burger for only $2.99 - they're $11.00 at some other resorts! www.coppercolorado.com.

CRESTED BUTTE: The Last Great Colorado Ski Town offers lift tix prices
to make you swoon - book lodging at Crested Butte Vacations by calling 1-800-810-SNOW and your lift passes are as low as $33/day! Ask about the Mardi Gras Mania package, including four-nights lodging and 3-days lift tix starting at $254/pp land, $634/pp air inclusive. Home of the reintroduction of Telemark skiing to the US and to some of the best powder in Colorado, these Butte-y-ous deals and more are found at www.cbmr.com.

DURANGO MOUNTAIN RESORT: Do-rango, and it'll do you just fine. Buy your
lodging and lift tix together and save big buckaroos. View the specials at www.ski-purg.com, click the Vacation Planner link, and click to view the packages. UNDO-RANGOABLE! If you're into stellar winter activities of all kinds on great terrain, consider the Total Adventure Ticket; buy a four-or-more day lift ticket and exchange one day for a backcountry adventure. There's Nordic skiing, casino fun at Sky Ute Casino followed by a hot tub and massage at Trimble Hot Springs, sno-mo adventures, a horse-drawn sleigh ride/dinner package, or snowcat skiing. What a great way to win someone's heart! www.ski-purg.com.

LOVELAND: Hellooooo, romance! The Land of Love is holding their 11th
annual "Marry Me & Ski For Free" mountaintop wedding extravaganza on Valentine's Day at noon. Couples getting married for the first time or those renewing their vows should look over the information at www.skiloveland.com/promo/mountaintop_wedding_ceremony_2.htm. It's all legal, it includes a reception afterward, and you can bring up to six friends! Nothin' could be fina on a mountain than to make you mine-a! www.skiloveland.com.

STEAMBOAT: What do we want? POW-DER! When do we want it? NOW! The Boat
just got nailed with 22 inches of fresh, and their last-minute packages will leave you begging for more. Float your Boat with the Snowsaver package, including four nights lodging and three days lift tix starting at only $297/pp/do. Don't believe it? Give them a call at 1-877-237-2628 and let them WOO you! www.steamboat.com.

TELL-U-RIDE: It's like a dream come true that Tell-U-Ride can offer such
spectacular deals, and the secret stash is found at www.tellurideskiresort.com/hotdeals.html. Even Norm Schwarzkopf is completely in love with the new Prospect Bowl! Spend a romantic dinner with your SO at Allred's at the Gondola Station, and enjoy a five-course Chef's Tasting Menu that will leave your head spinning! And you thought it was altitude and your heart going pitty-pat! If that doesn't fit your fancy, consider a Saturday evening with that great aphrodisiac, cocoa, at the Chocolate Lover's Fling on 2/16 to benefit the San Miguel Resource Center. For only $45, taste the delights of some of Telluride's finest pastry chefs, and dance those calories off at "A Night in Havana" to the sound of Mambo Jambo. Recommended dress is tropical black tie, so use your imagination! www.tellurideskiresort.com.

WINTER PARK: Winter Park is offering their half-season pass RIGHT NOW,
adults for $410. Considering the season is really just beginning, you'll get your money's worth with just 8 visits! Though much of the lodging is booked for this honey of a holiday weekend, there are still deals out there - do your one-stop shopping by going online at www.winterparkresort.com, or call the Central Reservations Office at 1-800-453-2525. If you're coming up for just the day, consider taking the Breeze ski bus for only $20 R/T, and you can get your rentals at the ski shop and your lift ticket as well before heading up, all three for only $80, and you won't find a Winter Park deal any sweeter than that! Call 1-888-4Breeze for info and reservations.

BACKCOUNTRY: Silverton Mountain Ski Area. A new, small, inexpensive
resort born of a love affair a man had with a mountain. Located in the Gladstone Valley six miles north of Silverton, the mountain is not for the fainthearted - advanced and expert riders ONLY, please, and you'll be required to take a backcountry test and show your avalanche beacon, probe poles, and shovel. Pay $25 to ride the one double-chair with a base el 10,500, summit el 12,240, and an easy hike will get you to 13,300. The good news, in addition to the fact that the area accepts a maximum of 475 riders on 60-degree slopes, is that every day's a fresh pow day. How can you not love it? www.silvertonmountain.com.

Till next week, stay low, stay smart, and stay luz,
Your Romantically Inclined Robin Hood of the Rockies,
Martha
skibabeage [at] hotmail.com