Greetings, Rocky Mountain and Wild, Wild West sliders!

The holiday crowds have gone home, there's consistent snowfall at almost all the major resorts, lodging and ticket prices have dropped, and this is the last calm before the Spring Break storm. Give it a go - ride freshly groomed trails where you're the only one in sight, pay less for lodging and lift tickets, and walk around with a silly grin on your face. But hurry, once word gets out about conditions and prices, deals'll go like Rocky Mountain Hot Cakes!

Weather outlook from our friends at Weather.com: Colorado, cold and snow in the mountains. Western Wyoming calls for snow through Saturday, dry and cold Sunday. Northern New Mexico high terrain cold and snow. 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: daves51 [at] swbell.net jpalatine [at] osdchi.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. This weekend sports the Mary Jane Bump Jamboree AND the Redfeather Snowshoe Festival. Ski more, drive less with their $47/pp/pn lodging specials, rates vary based on date of arrival and type of lodging. Kids Ski Free packages include 4 nights lodging, 3 days skiing, rates starting at $362/per adult/do, based on four people in a motel room, but kids 13 and under ski FREE! It doesn't hurt to look at www.winterparkresort.com.

COPPER MOUNTAIN:
The Hill Metallica is also joining in with some almost exclusive and incredible deals. Deluxe hotel rooms from $79/pp/pn/do, INCLUDING LIFT TICKETS!! Rate valid 2/17 - 2/27. Two night minimum required. For details or to book, get those phones ringing at 1-866-264-1838. Copper Saver Room-Only rates also available for the rest of February, with hotel rooms starting at $89/pn/do. No minimum stay requirements! For details or to book go to www.coppercolorado.com/01_lodging/01_lodg_coppersavers.tml?campaignid=home_copsavers.

Tip o' the Ski Week: READ THE FINE PRINT! Packages, specials, and deals are great, but do your homework and get all the details in hand first. Resorts may bait riders by breaking down overall costs to the least common denominator, but that denominator may not be what you're looking for in a package. When it says "restrictions apply," get cozy with what those are. Common resort restrictions may include: not available holiday weekends or spring break (this year from March 7 - March 23), minimum night stay, taxes and fees not included, lodging in an economy motel, mid-week stay, based on double or quad occupancy, subject to availability, and the like. This writer's advice: stay flexible, do your homework, ask lots of questions, and get the mountain holiday you really want.

AHHHH-BASIN:
Kids age 6-14 ski free all season with a paying adult. Stay in a shared dorm room at the Alpen Hutte Lodge for $50/nt and that INCLUDES your adult lift ticket. Call (970) 468-6336 or go online at www.alpenhutte.com. More hot deals at www.arapahoebasin.com.

ASPEN RESORTS:
Aspen/Snowmass Highlands/Buttermilks The competition is heating up, and we're not talking through the GS gates. More and more properties are jumping on the affordable Aspen bandwagon. Consider this: the Fasching Haus is offering a cozy hotel room for $89/pn, two night minimum stay. The Wildwood Lodge superior room, including walking access to Snowmass and a complimentary breakfast, on sale for $99/pn, no minimum stay. You'll need lift tickets, so order 7 days or more in advance and save 10%. Kids 6 and under always ski free. As always at www.aspensnowmass.com, and be certain to check out the Virtual Hostel link.

CRESTED BUTTE:
Luxury lodging at Treasure Point discounted ridiculously. Lodging, lift and equipment rental packages from $125.07/pp/pn, 3 night minimum stay! Fully furnished condos include fireplace, jacuzzi, hot tub access, and outrageous views up and down the canyon. Visit www.crestedbutte.com/lodgingdeals.htm to get your password for this deal and others.

DURANGO MOUNTAIN RESORT/PURGATORY:
NINETEEN inches of freshies in the past week! SKI FREE/RIDE FREE when you stay slopeside. Itīs that simple. Room rates start at $85/pp/pn/do, based on regular season studio condo, minimum three night stay, and including breakfast. More sizzling deals at www.durangomountainresort.com

ELDORA:
The four-pack ends Friday, the 21st. Get four lift tickets, valid M-F, for $59 at Front Range King Soopers or at Eldora's new Boulder store (28th and Canyon), OR buy them at the hill for $69. www.eldora.com

LOVELAND:
Ongoing reasons #522 and 523 to skip the Ice-enhower Tunnel: this Saturday is Find Sam Adams day sponsored by Boston Beer Company. Tag the jolly old brewmeister and receive coupons for prizes and beer specials. As if that weren't enough, the Rathskeller is featuring Bluegrass as only Colorado can with the No-Longer Boys Bluegrass band from Evergreen. Feel the Love at www.skiloveland.com.

MONARCH:
Monarch Lodge is back down to $48/pp/pn, including lodging and lift tickets (www.monarchmountainlodge.com. Save big money on lift tickets (and they've had quality freshies in the last 47 hours!) by purchasing the Snowbank card for $15, then pay somewhere between $22 and $39 per day for lift tickies AND every sixth visit is FREE. www.skimonarch.com

STEAMBOAT:
To heck with paying expensive fees for hotel rooms. Ownership opportunities at the Steamboat Grand Hotel now start from an amazing $19,900! This exclusive offer entitles you to 1/8 share ownership of a condominium with privileges and amenities others could only imagine. This is not a one-week time-share - it is true vacation home ownership right at the base of Steamboat. For more information visit the Steamboat Grand Real Estate Gallery or contact a Real Estate Sales Executive at 970-871-5505. More info at www.steamboat.com.

TELL-U-RIDE:
Check out the website at www.telluridemtnlodging.com and look for the February/March specials, including ski-in access hotel rooms at the Mountainside Inn, starting at $109/pn, $119/pn with kitchenette. Book at The New Sheridan (you know, the one in the car commercial?) during February and receive a 25% discount, just 'cause! Purchase your 4-day or more lift pass 7 days in advance online and keep your toes toasty with a FREE pair of Thorlo socks! www.tellurideskiresort.com

VAIL RESORTS:
Beaver Creek, Brecken-fridge, Keystone, Vail Vail rocked the slopes over the weekend with 8 inches of freshies on Monday alone, and word is out that Blue Sky Basin is hip deep in the glades. Get on board with this Saturday's Tele workshop - $99 will get you lesson and lift ticket, season pass holders pay only $62, and rentals are $26. Show up at Brecken-Fridge on Sunday between 11 AM and 4 PM to audition for "Fear Factor." No joke, you too can eat sloppy bugs and get crawled on by vermin! It's now Heavenly at www.snow.com!

WYOMING:
JACKSON HOLE:
They're getting regular dumps and the sunny powder days between are rumored to be superb. These deals just in to entice you even further: $99/pn in a Jackson Hole Racquet Club 1BR condo now through the end of February, or consider a Teton Village Condominium/Village Center Inn at $99/pn, same time frame. Based on space available and certain dates may sell out. Go Big or Go Home at www.jacksonhole.com

GRAND TARGHEE:
Special rate this Saturday night only at the Teewinot Lodge - $89/pn, online booking only! Want to stay longer? Two nights lodging, two days lift tickets also at the Teewinot, $149/pp/pn/do, mid-week only, but extend your stay for the same price! Find more ways to save at www.grandtarghee.com.

NEW MEXICO:
ANGEL FIRE:
Special online lift ticket purchase price on mid-week tickets through the end of February - $5 OFF every adult lift ticket! Light that fire and check it out more hot deals at www.angelfireresort.com!

TAOS:
The Ski Valley has received nine inches of fresh in the past 24 hours. I like the sound of this - stay at the Sun God Lodge in an economy motel room for only $54/pn/so, $59/pn/do. Three or more multi-day lift tickets are $45/day, so what are you gonna do with all that denaro you're saving! 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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