Greetings Rocky Mountain/San Juan/Elk Mountain sliders!

Can I tell you how honored I am to have such incredible readers! Not only have you made the Colorado newsletter the fastest growing publication of the Sliding on the Cheap series, but you continue to provide me with questions, suggestions, and materials that only savvy, tru-pow loving folks could offer! Wow, thanks, and WOW! Let's keep this thang rollin' down the frozen river and I'll give you nothing but the best goods, 'cause the season is just peaking in my neck of the woods! And if resort lodging all seems booked, I still haven't found any better last-minute deals than at the Last Second Club on the www.skitown.com. web page. A condo at Steamboat for $57/pn? See for yourself, and there's more at all the Colorado resorts!

The final winter season newsletter will appear at your e-doorstep April 10, but I have a bazillion things to tell you about Season Pass offers, ridiculously low end-of-season lodging prices and lift ticket deals, and celebrations that will keep you in memories till next season. Be sure to stay tuned in at www.slidingonthecheap.com. for this terrific mountain beta!

Travel skivvies: Though it's likely nigh on to impossible to find air travel in and out of DIA this time of year, it's worth a gander online. Offering the best domestic fares on major carriers, www.hotwire.com. and www.travelone.com. may surprise you with what they have. Comparison shop for published airfares and hotel rates at www.FareChase.com. and www.SideStep.com.

Co' Sno' Repo': You wouldn't believe tomorrow is the first day of spring with the looming weather forecast. Though the sun is shining over the Divide today and will through Friday, look for snow and cold beginning Saturday on through Monday, then cloudy and cold mid-week next week. For ongoing and updated weather information, visit our happy sponsors at www.weather.com. or watch their 24-hour live coverage on the Weather Channel.

Thought of the ski week: If you're gonna ski, then ski; if you ain't gonna ski, then ski-daddle! (a good thought to share with those who stop in the MIDDLE of the trail!)

Our featured resort this week is COPPER MOUNTAIN: Holy Hill Metallica, Batman! There's still discount lodging available at Colorado's favorite Skiway on the Freeway! Hotel rooms from $79/pn, 1 BR condos from $119/pn, 2 BR condos from $189/pn, good through 3/24. When you've bashed yourself enough on the steeps and bumps of the back bowls, stop at Copper Station for a $2.99 burger, then head to Endo's Adrenaline Cafe for a brew-ski. www.coppercolorado.com. Final runs April 21.

AHHHH-BASIN: You can still get an adult, unlimited season pass to the Basin for $149! Since final runs are still planned for May 5, that leaves 47 days for just over $3 a day. Heck, ride four days before season's end and you've saved big-time! www.arapahoebasin.com.

ASPEN/SNOWMASS: Getting regularly dumped on with the traditional March Mass of Snow, there are still rooms available for spring break. Try the Tyrolean Lodge, Main Street Aspen, on the bus route to all four resorts and within walking distance of metropolitan Aspen - rooms for 5 (Q+Q+T) with kitchenettes run from $120 on the bottom floor to $140 on the top floor, 3 night minimum stay, through 3/28. In addition, the historic 7-story Stonebridge Inn is offering rooms for $145/pn, no minimum stay, through 3/29, and includes continental breakfast as well as access to the pool, sauna, hot tub, exercise room, and there's an onsite restaurant available for your late-night noshes. www.aspensnowmass.com. Final runs April 14.

BRECKENRIDGE: Brecken-fridge is just a cool town, and if you're uncertain what you'll be doing when you're not carving some twisted turns on the hill, just cruise this lively little mountain Main Street, 'cause there's nowhere else quite like it. If you're a day-tripper, you might still find some adult Breck/Keystone discount passes at Denver metro King Soopers grocery stores for $45 and the Colorado Adventure Mobile (www.coloradoadventuremobile.com) is making the Breck-trek on Saturday for $15 R/T. We'll tell you all about the Spring Massive Festival (UNBELIEVABLE deals and fun) but you'll have to tune back in next week...... www.breckenridge.snow.com. Final runs April 21 (I was in error last week!)

CRESTED BUTTE: It just wouldn't be like Crested Butte to go an entire year without FREE skiing of some sort! For the week of April 8 - 14, a Season Pass from ANY resort will get you FREE lift tickets in Crested Butte! Just get your Butte there, show your pass and current valid ID to the tix office, and viola! You get to ski the REAL skier's terrain for FREE! For more details, call (800) 810-SNOW or visit www.cbmr.com. Final runs April 14 (sigh).

KEYSTONE: Key's Threes Big Deal through 3/26 will get you into a village condo at a 40% reduction. Offer includes FREE Mountain Passports to a swath of mountain activities. www.keystone.snow.com. Final runs April 28.

LOVELAND: The Land of Love will host the 6th Annual 3 Pin Grin Telemark Contest and Festival Saturday, 3/23. Along with the soon-to-be-a-classic race, Loveland's 3-Pin Grin features Colorado microbrewers, live bluegrass music from Boulder's Two Times Wise and an Apres Ski Awards Party on the deck above The Rathskellar Bar. Only intermediate/advanced heel-lifters are advised to enter the contest (wait till you see the mogul course on Cat's Meow. Yeow!) There will be prizes for top finishers and schwag bags for all participants. Registration is from 8am to 9:30am in the cafeteria at Loveland Basin on Saturday, competition begins at 11:30am. Entry fee is $45 and includes lift ticket, contest entry, schwag bag, awards party and unlimited access to the microbrew garden. (Loveland Pass and Season Pass holders receive a $10 discount on the entry fee.) And if you're not a racer, get your 2-fer lift tix coupons either at Wendy's or on Moosehead beer neck-ringer coupons, or buy two Pearson's Salted Nut Rolls and get a coupon for $14 off your next Love-ly lift tick purchase. www.skiloveland.com. Final runs April 14.

MONARCH: The Monarch Mountain Lodge is still offering their Play & Stay package (lodging and lift ticket) - last time I was on Rte. 50 over Monarch Pass, it was $59/pp/pn, and that includes access to the indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, restaurant, and lounge. I want to fly like a monarch through the trees! www.skimonarch.com. Final runs April 14.

POWDERHORN: The Horn of Plenty Pow-pow is selling ALL lift tickets from now until closing for only $18. Final runs are March 31, and if you find the gold and silver eggs hidden on the mountain March 30 and 31, you'll win a FREE season pass for 2002-2003! www.powderhorn.com.

PURGATORY MOUNTAIN [at] DURANGO RESORT: Whoa, Do-Rango, how can you Do what you Do and Do-Rango it so well?! Shop at Performance Peak and dig this: 30% off all skis, boots, bindings, 40% off ski/binding combo purchase, 50% off a SuperFeet foot bed (guaranteed fit), and season pass holders purchase a ski/binding combo at 40% off and get FREE mounting and FREE ski poles ($70 value). Now while you're waiting for your new gear, sashay your way to the 1st Annual Hula Moon Snowshoe Classic - the 5k snowshoe race (come on, that's only 3 miles!) will start under a full moon on the beach outside Purgy's at 7 pm, with the loop course lined by tiki torches and glow sticks. Following the moonlit madness, Hula-thusiasts will be treated to a Hawaiian style pizza buffet, tropical drink specials and some cool island tunes by the Lawn Chair Kings back at Purgy's. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 male and female finishers and for best aloha attire and tacky (can you say polyester?!) tourist outfits. Event check-in and race day registration starts at 5 pm, 3/23. For the $40 entry fee entrants receive a whale of a Dakine schwag bag, a big wave t-shirt, a chance to win some of the $10,000 in Big Kahuna draw prizes, the Hawaiian Buffet Feast, and the opportunity to hula the night away. The first 50 to register receive a pair of Thorlo socks, good to wear under mountain-style grass skirts.......book 'em, Dan-o, at www.ski-purg.com. Final runs April 7.

SKI COOPER: You can still get a family pass to the Coop for $700. That means four people (2 adults, 2 kids) ski from now through the end of the season for $700. Can't beat that! Visit this training home of the 10th Mountain Division, and while there soak in the high-alpine charm of Leadville (elevation 10,200) and view Colorado's highest 14er from the little red church on Rte 24. This is Colorado at its finest. www.skicooper.com. Final runs March 31.

STEAMBOAT: Float at Das Boot with the Snowsaver package - $297/pp/do will get you 4 nights lodging in a motel and 3 days of lifts on sugar-coated Mt. Werner. If there's still room, the Boat's only wine dinner this season is this Saturday night at Ragner's - $85 buys you a four-course meal, lift up on the gondola, sleigh ride, and lots of Veuve Cliquot bubbly and Newton Vineyards wines. www.steamboat.com. Final runs April 14.

SUNLIGHT: If you like it lite 'n' lively without all the glitz, you'll definitely like Sunlight and the town of Glenwood Springs. You'll also like the fact that Glenwood still has Spring Break availability! Ski,Swim & Stay packages are still as low as $75/pp/pn. What a difference a train makes, and Glenwood Springs knows it - travel R/T on Amtrak coach from Denver or Salt Lake City to Glenwood Springs, add hotel lodging and transfers, and a 1-day hot springs pool pass - it will set you back (are you ready for this?) $127/pp/do for one night lodging, $170/pp/do for two nights lodging. Lift tix aren't included in this package, but at Sunlight they're only $32/pp, and they drop to $16/pp 4/1, no foolin'! Why Glenwood Springs? Well, Sunlight Mountain is a hoot and a holler away by FREE shuttle bus. What are you waiting for? Call RMA Tours at (303)759-4600 for this package, or visit www.sunlightmtn.com. for important stuff. Final runs April 7.

TELL-U-RIDE: Today runs the Giant Slalom relay on Competition Hill, and if you miss it 'cause you have to pay to play, you'll still get to see the racing Mahre brothers and Tommy Moe this Sunday on CBS, 12-1 EST. Enjoy Tell-U-Ride's signature mountain hospitality at the Bear Creek B&B, rates as low as $104/pn, full homestyle breakfast is included, and the roof-top hot-tub soaks sill leave you breathless! www.tellurideskiresort.com. Final runs April 7.

VAIL: Colorado's largest Skiway on the Freeway is apparently pretty well booked up for the rest of the month, but if you can hold your alpine horses, they're offering two ways to ski for less. Buy a $99 pass and ski the entire week at Vail or Beaver Creek from 4/7-4/14, or ride for $29 per day when you purchase ONLINE only. Better read the restrictions at www.vail.snow.com/madness.asp. Final runs April 14.

WINTER PARK: Colorado's Favorite is favorite for a lot of reasons, but you'll really understand why with this: 2002-2003 season passes are on sale NOW, and if you're a new purchase, it's only $255 plus you get to ski FREE between April 1 and closing. If you're renewing your pass from last year, it's only $225, 'cause they're glad to have you back! Book the AirLift special through Winter Park Central Reservations - fly United and receive a FREE lift ticket for every plane ticket you purchase! You'll still find lodging starting at $95/pn/two doubles at the Winter Park Mountain Lodge (that means as low as $24/pp/pn!) and you can walk to the resort! Saturday apres-ski during March Madness is still rockin' to the FREE music, $2/brews and $2/slices at Pepperoni's Janeside. www.winterparkresort.com. Final runs April 14.

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