Greetings, Rocky Mountain Sliders!

Okay, the 2002 Winter Olympic Games Closing Ceremonies are this weekend, so reasonably excusable couch-potatoism is almost out the door. (And, BTW, a SLIDER is actually a LUGER, but you'll forgive the literary freedom we've taken on this one!) We're in exactly the middle of the riding season with snow and temperatures at their best. Most resort closings are mid-April, so it's looking like only 53 more skiing days. Spring breaks throughout March mean crowds, people, and more crowds. AAUUUUGGGGHHH! Sounds as if this is a good weekend to get away, and the resorts would seem to agree given the deals they're still making. If you've missed past newletters, there's lots of information on discount lift tickets, rentals, and packages in them that's still current, and you'll just have to be patient for next week's edition on the best breaks for Spring Break! But for now, find a way to catch a ride on the falling snowflake that keeps filling your fantasy!

Tip o' the Ski Week: Can you say hostel? Not a nasty something you feel, but a terrific place to go, save denaro, and have the international experience of your life without leaving US shores. Be prepared for often rustic, dorm-like facilities - www.hostelsofamerica.com. has a property in Dillon just off I-70 at CO 6, and American Youth Hostels at www.hostelweb.com. has places in Breckenridge, Crested Butte, Durango, and Glenwood Springs. A small, annual membership fee gives access to hundreds of facilities throughout the world. And there's a great travel guidebook series, called Hidden America, published by Ulysses Press of Berkeley. Hidden Colorado, written by Richard Harris, will give you all the insider's tips on where to go for great lodging, food, entertainment, off-beat treks and the like, and it's available at www.amazon.com. for $11.99, a 20% savings on shelf price, or buy one used for $6.99 and share it with a friend!

Co' Sno' Repo': Eastern/Central Colorado looks like a general pattern of snow showers in the mountains through Thursday (it's been snowing over the northern Divide for the past 24 hours, I cleared 4 inches of fresh off my car at el 9000 feet this morning, and it's STILL coming down!), clear on the plains. Dry and cold Friday and Saturday throughout with more snow moving into mountain regions on Sunday. Western Colorado calls for snow through Wednesday, partly cloudy and warmer Thursday and Friday, with chance of snow on Saturday and Sunday. Monday and Tuesday show cloudy and mild to the western portion of the state, cold and snowy in the mountains and eastern plains. For more updated weather and snow info, visit our happy sponsors at www.weather.com.

Thought for the week: I've never met a mountain I didn't like.....

A-BASIN: Stay and ski at the Best Western in Dillon through the 28th
for $59.97/pn/pp Sun-Th or $72.50/pn/pp F-Sa. Includes one night lodging and a lift ticket to AHHHHHH-Basin, where you can Ski AHHHbove AHHHll! If you wanna rip it up out of bounds, spend three days with A-Basin's expert ski patrol learning the fundamentals of backcountry riding and avalanche awareness. Course runs February 22-24, 8-3 daily. Register by calling (970) 496-7007. www.arapahoebasin.com.

ASPEN/SNOWMASS: Olympic Bronze medallist Chris Klug's home turf is
giving YOU the chance to test your entry-level mettle at the first EVIAN Colorado Freeride Competition this Saturday. There are two restrictions - you must be at least 18 years old and you must be willing to beat yourself up on Snowmass' Hanging Valley Headwall. Winners of the competition will not only get the chance to move on to bigger and better things, including medals and cash prizes, but everyone wins at the apres-ski brew fest (is that why they're called "brewskis?"). You'll obviously need a place to stay, so check out this deal at the Laurelwood at Snowmass: studio condo (sleeps four), steps away from the slopes, includes fireplace, full-kitchen, used to cost $245/pn, but until March 7, it's only $95/pn. See this and other incredible deals at www.stayaspen.com. and hit the specials link.

BRECKENRIDGE: Do a good turn for humanity: the SOS Outreach Series
Snowboard X Comp is this Saturday, 2/23. Riders of all ages and abilities are welcome to participate in this boardercross event benefiting the Snowboard Outreach Society. Don't want to race? Volunteer, and get free lunch for your efforts. Visit www.sosoutreach.org. for more event info. In the spirit of friendly competition and bragging rights, Sunday (2/24) sports the Dublin Down Skier/Boarder X. The top three finishers in each division split a purse totaling $2,600 with the cream of the crop two-stickers and knuckle-draggers going head to head in a final round determining the King and Queen of the Mountain. Best lodging deal on the hill is at Beaver Run Resort, a hotel-style accommodation, at $154/pn, or choose 30% off any room type by calling 1-800-525-2253. East/West Resorts are offering 2 bedroom units from $75/pp/pn, 3 night minimum, by calling 1-800-525-2258. Visit www.breckenridge.com. for more deals and info on the PEAKS discount lift ticket card.

COPPER: You're reading this, so you're obviously savvy about your online
investments: take 20% off rentals and 15% off ski/snowboard lesson bookings when you sign up via internet. Plan it three days in advance, and you're In Like Flint. While you're there, take advantage of the premium 1BR condo for $169/pp/pn. Buy the lift tix with the lodging, get access to the Beeline Advantage, and get more turn for the burn with dedicated lift lines so there's no wait at the gondola. Or, stay free and ski free - 2 BR condo, $93/pp/pn/F-Sa or $68/pp/pn/Sun-Th, four night stay, includes 3 nights lodging and 3 days lift tickets, and the fourth night and day are free! So if your head isn't swimming yet, plan to carpool with three or more people and not only is parking at Copper only $5, the reserved lot is located at the main base area! If you're savvy as a competitor, the 15th Snowboard Series begins 2/23. Think you're up to it? Call (888) 229-9475 for details. It's unbelievable at www.coppermountain.com.

CRESTED BUTTE: All offers good March 2-17, all include 4 nights lodging
and 3 days lift tix, and the snow is superb! Gold luxury packages at the Sheraton Crested Butte, $336/pp; Silver 2BR condo packages at Mt. Crested Butte, $246/pp; Bronze packages at the Manor Lodge, $199/pp. And if you think these land packages are amazing, check out the air inclusive packages by calling 1-888-631-8289 or visit the website at www.cbmr.com.

DURANGO: Okay, if you haven't checked out the Vacation Planner/Packages
link on the website, it's time you did. Do-rango lodging/lift packages start at $63/pp/pn, and there are 11 other deals to tickle your snow-fancy. There are events aplenty to keep you in all kinds of mischief this weekend, including the Big Air Freeride Series final, the Star Safaris Tour of the Universe ($60 fee includes snowcat ride to the summit, StarGazer guided tour, snowshoe rentals, hot choc and a Ben & Jerry's ice cream feast), downhill and SuperG races, and the Subaru Master the Mountain event, including FREE lessons and tips, FREE giveaways, and FREE hot choc! www.ski-purg.com.

KEYSTONE: Ski FREE when you stay at either the Inn at Keystone or
Keystone Lodge - $87/pp/Sun-Thur gets you one night lodging and two adult one-day lift tix, but no procrastinators here - must book 21 days in advance. The Colorado Adventure Mobile is hitting Key's Threes this Sunday, and there's still room, R/T transport and beverages for $15!www.coloradoadventuremobile.com. And this weekend choose between Saturday's 3rd annual Luna Chase Snowshoe Race under the nearly full moon (bring headlamps, Hawaiian shirts and hula skirts), or Sunday's Mt. Dew Vertical Challenge Dual Slalom, FREE to competitors of all ages! www.keystone.snow.com.

LOVELAND: The Land of Love is wooing you to the Georgetown Mountain Inn
for only $99/pp/pn. Deal includes one night's lodging and two adult lift tickets. Loveland is also currently hiring for full- and part-time positions. Perks include an employee season pass, good at 15 CO resorts, and family passes and discounts as well. Hey, you're going up there on the weekends, anyway, no? www.skiloveland.com.

VAIL: Here's the hottest ticket on the hill: Olympic sweepsters Ross
Powers, Danny Kass and JJ Thomas are on the invitees list to the World Snowboarding Championship at Vail through 2/24, and the event is FREE. If you like the sound of that, you'll like the sounds of Ludacris even better directly following the Big Air Finals Saturday night, and let's hope he's not as tiny as he is on MTV! Go to www.worldsnowboardingchampionship.info. for more event information. Book a condo at Vail International for $185/pn, two night stay, by calling 1-800-622-3477, or check out all the web specials at www.vail.snow.com/twn.ldg.spc.asp.

WINTER PARK: Think you're Ski Patrol material for one of the nation's
top patrols? Only the serious need apply! Sign up for the final Volunteer Ski Patrol Shadow Day, to be held Saturday, 3/2. Get a free lift ticket and the chance to spend the day with Colorado's Finest, from trail check beginning at 8 AM to final trail sweep after the lifts close. Contact Rory Andrews at (303) 313-0791 or get online info at www.skiwinterpark.com/employment/SkiPatrolTryouts.html. For ongoing lodging specials too numerous to list here, visit the website at www.skiwinterpark.com/vacation/LodgingSpecials.html. I'll give you a nudge - the Inn at Silvercreek (north of Tabernash, close to cross-country skiing) OR the Vintage (walking distance to the slopes, deal includes breakfast!), mid-week, $69/pn/hotel accommodations. Pick up your lift tix at King Soopers for $43/adult, and you've got the best deal on the best snow in Colorado. www.skiwinterpark.com.

WOLF CREEK: One of Colorado's oldest resorts, summit el 11,900, is
having fun this Thursday, so if you're single (or not) and missed Valentine's Day, here's your chance: Men's and Ladies' Day Thursday (2/21) offers a $44 lift ticket and lesson package (that's pretty much a 2-for-1 price). If you're up for a little privacy afterwards, cross-country skiing in the WC fields is FREE! 'Nuff said. www.wolfcreek.com.

BACKCOUNTRY: Didn't know Colorado had heli-skiing, did you? Well, now
you do! Ride 250 square miles of San Juan deep, untracked, altitude powder with Telluride Heli-Trax. The guides have been doing it for 25 years, cater to all ability levels, and guarantee your gums will sunburn from smiling so much! Five lifts, totalling 12,000 vertical (all above treeline) run $675 and includes lunch; additional lifts are $75/each. Check out all the beta, including their 6-day Winter Adventure Package, at www.helitrax.net.

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