Greetings, Rocky Mountain and Wild, Wild West sliders!

Conditions in the Rockies are tracking nicely for a superb holiday weekend, what with our recent and upcoming snowfall, so if you haven't made your reservations yet you'd better get your mojo in gear and do your research! What do you want to be able to tell your buddies you did over the holiday weekend?!?!?! Impress them with not only your superior riding skills and story-telling, but with your awesome ability to save big resort bucks!

Weather outlook from our friends at Weather.com: northeast and north central Colorado, mountain snow through Saturday, dry and clear on Sunday. Southeast, south central, and western Colorado, mountain snow for the remainder of the week. Western Wyoming calls for increasing clouds beginning Wednesday evening, mountain snow through Saturday, clear and cold Sunday. Northern New Mexico has posted a winter storm warning through Thursday morning, then continued snow through the weekend. Stay on top of the up-to-date weather conditions and snow report with our happy sponsors at www.weather.com.

Thanks to the generosity of the happy folks at WINTER PARK/MARY JANE, this week's winners of the Random Slide Pick each receive two FREE lift tickets to, you got it, Winter Park. Drum roll, please, and everybody's new friends are: jfdezdel [at] sct.gob.mx Proem1 [at] aol.com Congratulations to our lucky riders! Claim your prize by contacting me, Skibabeage, at the email address below with your mailing address, and you'll be on the slopes in no time. And if you haven't already, sign up for all the weekly goods at www.slidingonthecheap.com/Colorado and the chance to win FREE LIFT TICKETS every week!

WINTER PARK/MARY JANE:
Happy to report that our sponsors continue to make it twice as difficult to refuse their friendly generosity. Consider the Winteractive Escape, the perfect quick trip to the hills. Two days lifts/two nights lodging in a motel, starting at $195/pp. Winter Park has also teamed up with Amtrak to offer the Kids Ski Free AND Ride Amtrak Free deal - get four nights lodging/three days lift tickets and R/T coach travel on Amtrak, from Chicago starting at $473/per adult, and the kids lift tickets and train ride are free (based on two adults two children in the same room, some restrictions apply). Clickity-clack, get on track by calling 1-800-977-6199 or visit www.winterparkresort.com.

COPPER MOUNTAIN:
The Hill Metallica is also joining in with some almost exclusive and incredible deals. Hotel Rooms from $79/pp/pn/do, including lift tickets! Rate valid 2/9-2/27, excluding 2/14-2/16, two night minimum required in a deluxe hotel room (gee, that's tough!). Sweethearts unite Friday night 2/14 in hotel rooms from $119. Rate is valid Friday only and inventory is limited! For details or to book either of these Hill Metallica deals, call 1-800-458-8386. www.coppercolorado.com.

Thought o' the Ski Week: "Cross country skiing is great if you live in a small country." Steven Wright

AHHHH-BASIN:
Total accumulation almost 16 feet season-to-date, and they need about another foot to open the East Wall, so keep those Ullr dances going! Make it a party and save 40% off mid-week stays at condos and homes in Keystone and Silverthorne, some restrictions apply, but call 1-800-248-1942 or visit www.keytotherockies.com and they'll discount your lift tickets, too! More hot deals at www.arapahoebasin.com.

ASPEN RESORTS:
Aspen/Snowmass Highlands/Buttermilks Check with the following to see if there's anything available for this weekend - you never know, but the Price is Surely Right! Snowmass Inn, standard room $90/pn, no minimum night stay. Chalet Lisl, standard studio $112/pn, Funky Basement Studio $98/pn, two-night minimum stay. And our friends at the Pokolodi Lodge are offering lower floor rooms for $139/pn, no minimum stay. It's affordable Aspen as always at www.aspensnowmass.com, and be certain to check out the Virtual Hostel link.

CRESTED BUTTE:
Sleep, shower, & ski from $125/pp! The Butte-i-ful has a ski bum deal for you. Stay at the Manor Lodge mid-week and/or off-peak, starting at $125 for 3 nights lodging/2 days lift tickets. With its own full-service bar, complete with live music and cozy fireplace, the Manor is one of Crested Butte's original ski & party lodges still standing. A five minute walk to lifts and a one minute walk to beer! It's not the fanciest room on the mountain, but it's clean and AFFORDABLE!!! Call 1-888-426-2733 or look for more deals at www.skicb.com!

LOVELAND:
Ongoing reason #414 to skip the Ice-enhower Tunnel: the 12th ANNUAL MOUNTAINTOP WEDDING CEREMONY, Valentine's Day. A Loveland tradition where new couples are joined in matrimony and married couples renew their vows at the top of Lift #2 at the Ptarmigan Roost Cabin. Sponsored by Coors Beer. Couples that pre-register get a 2-for-1 $43 lift ticket for the day. Free reception following the ceremony in the Loveland Lodge. More information at Loveland's special website: www.skiloveland.com/wedding. Really, Feel the Love at www.skiloveland.com.

STEAMBOAT:
Das Boat seems to be deluged - 16 feet of snowfall to date, and it's still coming down! The word for them this week is AIRFARES - $228 R/T from Chicago, $198 R/T from DFW, $228 R/T from Houston, to name a few non-stop sale fares on American. Check it out at www.steamboat.com and hit the Vacation Planning link.

SUNLIGHT MOUNTAIN:
I've said it before, I'll say it again, Sunlight's Ski, Swim & Stay packages will put the sunshine back into your smile! A one-day package, starting as low as $59/pp, includes lodging in Glenwood Springs, a soak in the famous Hot Springs that Doc Holliday so enjoyed, and a day on the slopes of Sunlight, and kids ski free! www.sunlightmtn.com

TELL-U-RIDE:
Lots of deals popping up at The Ride - Telluride 2 for 1 Temptation: two night ski and spa package for the price of one at the Wyndham Peaks Resort and Golden Door Spa, call 1-800-789-2220 or visit www.wyndham.com. Family and Friends Fly Free through ResortQuest Telluride - stay 4 consecutive nights between now and 5/31 and you'll receive two companion airfare tickets, call 1-866-444-2027 or visit www.resortquesttelluride.com More hot deals at www.tellurideskiresort.com

VAIL RESORTS:
Beaver Creek, Brecken-fridge, Keystone, Vail Keystone's off its Valentine gourd! The following rates are available THROUGH 2/17: $79 per hotel room at the Inn at Keystone, $89 per deluxe studio in Forest Neighborhood, $99 per deluxe 1BR condo in Forest Neighborhood, $149 per deluxe 2BR condo in Forest Neighborhood. Call 1-800-468-4991 for information and reservations. Brecken-fridge is offering their Wildwood Suites, $145 per 1BR condo, offer valid 2/11-3/6, based on availability; other restrictions apply, call 1-800-866-0300 for reservations. It's now Heavenly at www.snow.com!

WYOMING:
JACKSON HOLE:
Mid-mountain to summit base is over six feet, and there's more on the way. The town of Jackson Hole hosts a Super 8 where you can get a standard room for under $43. Call 1-800-800-8000 in advance and they'll offer you a discount ski package you can't refuse including lift tickies. Go Big or Go Home at www.jacksonhole.com

GRAND TARGHEE:
Spring Break's just around the corner, and what better place to take the "college family" on a holiday than The Targhee - get five nights lodging at the ski-in/ski-out Targhee Lodge, four days lift tickets for $333/pp. Kids 14 and under ski and stay free with parents, one child per adult, please. Find more ways to save at www.grandtarghee.com.

NEW MEXICO:
ANGEL FIRE: Why wait till Spring Break to enjoy the good conditions now?
Jumpin' Fuego de los Angeles, these people are smart. Check out the Pre-Spring Break Special - kids 12/under stay at an Angel Fire Resort hotel or condo AND ski free with an adult, 2/18-3/6, midweek, $89.00/pp/do, $62.25/pp/quad! Get away with the weekend lodging/lift ticket package, $107.00/pp/do, or $70/pp/quad! Light that fire and check it out at www.angelfireresort.com!

TAOS:
The mountain has received over two feet of freshies since the 3rd. It's always more economical to stay in town, and there's more après-ski life going on. Consider the Ramada Inn, a standard room will set you back only $69/pn, and remember kids 6 and under ski free for every $49/adult lift ticket you purchase. Budget Host Inn rooms start at only $39/pn, include continental breakfast, and kids 8 and under stay free, call 1-800-323-6009. 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

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