Greetings, Wild, Wild West Sliders!

Sleighbells riiiiing, are you listenin'? In the laaaannnne, snow is glistenin'! A b'yoo-tiful sight, we're happy tonight, Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland!

And it is in the beautiful state of mind called the Rockies, sliders. Resorts are still reporting daily freshies, some as much as 18 inches overnight, and the cold temperatures have kept the snow in superb condition. No melt-freeze at altitude here! That means even the crud will put a dazzling holiday smile on your face!

Thought of the Ski Week: May the holidays bring you closer to your families and closer to the mountains. Peace to all!

Tip o' the Ski Week: If holiday crowds aren't your style, you'll find your Silent Night on groomed or backcountry Nordic skiing. Most XC ski resorts reported a 23% increase in visitors last season. XCing is something everyone can do (hey, if you can walk, you can XC ski!), it's affordable, family- and poochie-friendly (try skijoring sometime!), healthy, offers lots of variety, and is just downright rejuvenating! Don some wicking layers, grab the kids, grandma and grandpa, and keep that vision in your mind of a lodepole hut with a warm fireplace when you check out the XC areas nearest you at www.xcski.org.

And this week's winners of the Rocky Mountain Random Slide Pick to receive TWO FREE LIFT TICKETS EACH are:
pretzladay [at] aol.com jimdziewior [at] lechlerusa.com

CONGRATULATIONS to our loyal readers, and contact slidecheap [at] aol.com to claim your prize! If you're not an e-mail member yet, join the fun at www.slidingonthecheap.com! It's a win/win situation! And we'll see you on the slopes!

AHHHH-BASIN:
The summit elevation of 13,050 keeps the temps down and the conditions superb. Add the dusting of freshies Santa left behind, and you'll ski above all! Bonus Pass is still on sale, A-Basin Store is having a 20% off sale, kids ages 6-14 ski free with purchase of adult lift tickie, or if you're a beginner, ride all day, any day, no blackouts, on the Molly Hogan lift for $5. Catch the holiday spirit of giving at www.arapahoebasin.com.

ASPEN RESORTS:
Aspen/Snowmass Highlands/Buttermilks Highland Bowl is now 100% open, and just in time for shooting the chutes! Stonebridge Inn of Aspen still has rooms at the reduced rate of $89 through 12/26 or $145 during peak time! Rates include continental breakfast in this 7-story hotel. Aspenwood condos offering a fully furnished studio for the reduced rate of $133, two-night stay requested. But hey, once you check out the best snow in years at www.aspensnowmass.com, you won't be in any hurry to leave!

COPPER MOUNTAIN:
They're not joking when they say standard and deluxe hotel rooms still available for $84/pp/pn! Good 12/21-1/6/03, just in time to ring in the New Year! It's an ongoing party in the Village with beverage specials, and Santa schussing in person, then off to the New Year's Eve festivities! Be sure to bring your spur-sharpeners to the C&W bash! You've got to read it to believe it at www.coppercolorado.com!

CRESTED BUTTE:
Pull out all the stops and be one with the large guy! Receive a complimentary lift ticket for Christmas Day when you dress like Santa Claus or Mrs. Claus. Kids pay their age per day for their lift tickets, ages 5-16, all day, every day! www.skicb.com

DURANGO MOUNTAIN RESORT/PURGATORY:
Over two feet of Colorado freshies last week, and Santa's so excited he's offering this: lodging, lift ticket, and full breakfast for only $99/pp/pn, minimum 2-night stay, but ya gotta hurry 'cause it's first come, first serve offer! Call 1-800-982-6103 for info and reservations. www.durangomountainresort.com

LOVELAND:
Make fresh tracks while watching all those folks determined to get to the other side of the Eisenhower sit in a traffic jam! Got a lot of money booty under the tree? Buy your six-pack, no black-outs, no restrictions, for $204/adults and $90/kids 6-14. The Land of Love is still offering their Loveland Pass, the $45 frequent skier card that gets you not only discounts on daily lift passes, but superb breaks at on-mountain retailers and vendors. Purchase includes a free lift ticket, option to purchase one additional ticket per visit for a buddy, and every fifth visit is free! www.skiloveland.com

STEAMBOAT:
FOUR FEET of their famous Champagne Powder last week, almost half of it in one 24-hour period. Might want to get on the phone and book your Stay & Ski Free package before word gets out and they're booked! Hit the slopes at Ski Town USA anytime between 1/6/03 and 2/13/03, and get 4 nights lodging/4 days lift tickets for the price of 3 each, and all starting at $285/pp/do! Let the spirit of the holidays prevail at www.steamboat-ski.com.

SUNLIGHT MOUNTAIN:
Most famous for their Ski, Swin & Stay packages, they're as full of fun and value as ever! One day packages start as low as $59/pp and includes a day on the hill, soaking in the Glenwood Hot Springs, and a night at one of 14 participating lodges. And kids under 13 ski free, one kid per one paying adult! If you're there this Friday, join the partee at the Last Turn Lounge for live music, food & drink specials, and lots of free schwag and give-aways! No wonder it's called Sunlight! www.sunlightmtn.com

TELL-U-RIDE:
Including the 3 inches of freshies Santa left on the hill in time for Christmas morning, you can still get 20% off you last-minute holiday lodging deals at www.resortquesttelluride.com. Book through them, and family and friends fly FREE - that's TWO airfare companion tickets for a 4-or-more night stay! More deals at www.tellurideskiresort.com

VAIL RESORTS:
Beaver Creek, Brecken-fridge, Keystone, Vail Last-minute deals still floating around! Stay at the Comfort Inn in Avon, minutes away from Vail and Beaver Creek on the resort shuttle for less than $200/do, but bring two other friends along and it's $50/pp/pn! Brecken-fridge is in the loop, too - stay in a 1 BR Pine Ridge condo between 12/22-12/31 for only $99/pn, 2 BR from $109/pn and 2 BR plus lofts for only $179/pn, then shop till you drop in this lively little mountain town! Rooms still available at the Inn at Keystone for $99/pn/do! It's all here at www.snow.com

WINTER PARK/MARY JANE:
Sporting a FORTY-THREE inch base at mid-mountain, over TWELVE FEET since the start of the season, and Best Bumps in North America, lose yourself in this soon-to-be-discovered gem with the Kids Ski Free package. Includes one free 13 and under lift ticket for every adult ticket of 3 days or more and four nights lodging from $362 per adult. Get up and get to www.winterparkresort.com!

WOLF CREEK:
Summit base depth 80", MId-mountain base depth 66". Daily freshies. 100% open. You get MORE than what you pay for (and lift tickets are only $43!) at www.wolfcreekski.com

WYOMING:
JACKSON HOLE:
Classic ski packages are available at this classic Teton resort - 5 nights lodging, 4 days lift tickets in an economy motel (hey, who's going to be sitting in their room, now!), starting at $358/pp/do. www.jacksonhole.com

GRAND TARGHEE:
Make a New Year's resolution to visit this land o' plenty pow-pow and save big-time! 5 night/4 day vacation packages from only $256/pp/quad occupancy in the Targhee Lodge! You'll know why they call 'em "perfect" at www.grandtarghee.com!

NEW MEXICO:
TAOS:
Enjoy the New Mexico style at the El Pueblo Lodge, rooms starting at $77/pn for single/1 Q bed, holiday rate. Add a fireplace, and it's only $92/pn! Ski packages available as well at www.taos.org. Pick your chutes at Taos Ski Valley, Sipapu, or Angel Fire! Get your Taos Card for $40, and enjoy incredible savings on lift tickets, packages, and on-mountain purchases! And remember, kids 5 and under SKI FREE with a paying adult! Ski, eat, sleep, ski, repeat when necessary at www.skitaos.org!

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