Greetings, Rocky Mountain and Wild, Wild West sliders!

I know I've said this before, but it's snowing. It's been snowing, and our friends at Weather.com are saying it's going to the continue to snow. This is the series of weather systems we've been waiting for this season with all the associate deep powder, and if you miss out on this stellar opportunity to ride the deep and fresh as you'll find ONLY in the Rocky Mountains, you'll be blue from hearing the stories of all the riders who DID make it up to the resorts.

Weather outlook from our friends at Weather.com: monsoon has set up nicely in the Southwest, so combine the moisture with the cold Alaskan air, and that's a perfect recipe for powder. In Colorado, look for cold and snow in the mountains. Western Wyoming calls for snow and cold in the mountains. Northern New Mexico high terrain is looking at a winter weather advisory through Thursday morning, then cold and snow in the mountains. (I love this kind of redundacy!) 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: slabysz [at] lycos.com cori_turpin [at] yahoo.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:
This just in - for the entire month of March, the ski-in/ski-out Zephyr Mountain Lodge, 150 yards from the Zephyr Express lift, is slashing prices. Are you sitting down? $100 off each night you book as long as it's a four-night minimum, some restrictions apply, subject to availability on 1-3 BR condos! That's as good as dinner at The Shed or a new ski jacket every night! Call 1-800-979-0332 to book before they're gone! Want to avoid the high price of lift tickets? When you book your lodging through Winter Park Central Reservations, savings are SUBSTANTIAL on two-day or more multi-day lift passes. Save anywhere from $14/day to $19/day, must book lifts 3 business days in advance - no fooling, these are the best ticket prices currently available to Winter Park/Mary Jane. Call 1-800-979-0332 for the scoop. Hey, it doesn't hurt to look at www.winterparkresort.com.

COPPER MOUNTAIN:
Get the best deals on lodging during one of the most exciting times to visit Copper - March Break! Call Copper today to get 25% off of all remaining hotel rooms through 2BR condominiums from 3/8 - 3/30. But you have to call and book soon because at these special rates, the remaining rooms won't last long. Restrictions may apply. For details or to book call 1-866-264-1838. More hot deals of the last-minute variety as well at www.coppercolorado.com.

And these deals literally hot off the press to you: EAST WEST RESORTS, the
dynamos of resort lodging, has just slashed their prices at KEYSTONE and BRECKEN-FRIDGE. Mid-week savings at Hyatt Main Street Station, Breckenridge! Two night stays start at $38* pp/pn in a studio (based on 2 people), $34* pp/pn in a 2BR condominium (based on 4 people), or $42* pp/pn in a 3BR condominium (based on 6 people). One night stays start at $50* pp/pn in a studio (based on 2 people), $40* pp/pn in a 2BR condominium (based on 4 people), and $46* pp/pn in a 3BR condominium (based on 6 people). Save up to 40% off lodging in Brecken-fridge! Luxury studios starting at $100 pp/pn. 2BR condos starting at $180 pp/pn. Wait, there's MORE! Buy Two Get One FREE at Keystone! Stay 2 nights in a luxury condo at Keystone and get the 3rd night FREE! *All offers are based on standard occupancy, availability and restrictions may apply. Call today 800-525-2258. Or visit skiingdeals.com for the latest, year-round packages! When we say cheap, we mean it!

As readers have written in, and in case you're not certain what my jargon
after the price of lodging and activities means, here's the key to the timesaver text: pp = per person pn = per night do = double occupancy quad = quad occupancy R/T = round trip BR = bedroom

Thought o' the Ski Week: "There are really only three things to learn in
skiing: how to put on your skis, how to slide downhill, and how to walk along the hospital corridor." - Lord Mancroft, "A Chinaman in the Bath," 1974

AHHHH-BASIN:
They're still selling season passes for A-Basin for only $149. That's about what it'll cost you to ride Vail for two days! Consider the possibilities of skiing above all, especially that we can expect East Wall to be opened soon. Get a lodging/lift deal when you stay at Mountain Vista B&B - $50/pp/pn/do, mid-week, two night minimum, and for this one call 1-800-333-5165. And remember, beginner skiers of ALL ages ride Molly Hogan lift for $5/day, all season long. More hot deals at www.arapahoebasin.com.

ASPEN RESORTS:
Aspen/Snowmass Highlands/Buttermilks The Crestwood Lodge in Snowmass is dishing up cheap fares on their fully furnished and kitchen-equipped condos, but only through 3/9, 1BR condos reduced to $175/pn (sleeps four), 1BR w/loft reduced to $225/pn (sleeps six), 2BR down to $250/pn (sleeps six), no minimum night stay. Get in to Aspen with their three night lodging/two-day Highlands & Buttermilk lift packages, starting at $399/pp. As always at www.aspensnowmass.com, and be certain to check out the Virtual Hostel link.

CRESTED BUTTE:
Woo-hoo! Freshies abound at the Butte-iful, as in more than a foot in 24 hours! Get three nights lodging at the Sheraton Crested Butte, two days riding for only $209/pp. Better yet, consider the Plaza condos, same three nights/two days deal, starting at $195/pp. Call 1-800-810-7669 to speak to a friendly operator. Mardi Gras Mania is on its way beginning February 27, with everything from a Fat Tuesday parade to an all-night Masquerade Ball. More party scoop at www.skicb.com.

DURANGO MOUNTAIN RESORT/PURGATORY:
Ski free, ride free when you stay slopeside for only $85/pp/pn/do, and that INCLUDES breakfast! Based on a studio condo, three night minimum, during regular winter season. They're still offering the Rocky Mountain Highway Getaway - $99/pp/pn/do will get you one night slopeside lodging and two days lift tickets. More sizzling deals by calling 1-800-982-6103 or online at www.durangomountainresort.com

LOVELAND:
Ongoing reasons #648 to skip the Ice-enhower Tunnel: if you missed out on the early season pass deal, they're offering their six-packs again for only $204, no restrictions or blackouts. Be part of the ongoing partee this Saturday with the Slap & Tap Boulder Beer Goddess. If she finds you and slaps you with a Hazed and Infused sticker, proceed directly to the Rathskeller Bar for a free draft pint of Hazed & Infused beer, then hang out till 4 PM when one lucky winner will received a $100 gift certificate for dinner at the Chop House. Feel the Love at www.skiloveland.com.

STEAMBOAT:
Holy Champagne Powder, Batman, 41" of freshies in three days?! Now THAT'S what I call Rocky Mountain Riding! They're still offering their Snow Flight packages, including air/lodging/lifts starting at $568/pp/do in a motel or quad occupancy in a condo. If you're driving, the Spring Snow Saver package works, too, and includes four nights lodging in a motel/three days lift tickets starting at $298/pp/do. More info at www.steamboat.com. And if you're really last-minute, go to www.skitown.com and click on the Last Second Club to find more sweet last-minute, procrastinator rewards for lodging.

SUNLIGHT MOUNTAIN:
With one of the best peaks within view of Sunlight Mountain Resort, Williams Peak provides you with the opportunity to experience backcountry skiing/riding with one of their pro guides. All Sunlight Mountain programs include basic backcountry avalanche equipment, lift passes, transportation to Williams Peak, and lunch. Sunlight provides a half day tour, full day tour and 2 day advanced workshop. Experience the backcountry this year!!! Just call 970-945-7491 for reservations. www.sunlightmtn.com

TELL-U-RIDE:
Okay, there's this avalanche of deals so I'm not going to waste your valuable time. Go directly to www.tellurideskiresort.com/hotdealslodging.html and feast your eyes on Tell-U-Ride prices from around 25 years ago. If you're a budget-minded college student, purchase your College Pass NOW for next year, setting you back only $189 (uh, hello, Dad?) AND ski the rest of this season for $30/day! www.tellurideskiresort.com

VAIL RESORTS:
Beaver Creek, Brecken-fridge, Keystone, Vail Kids Fly, Stay, & Ski Free Special Extended! Since spring break is just around the corner, Vail Resorts is giving you and your family one more month to take advantage of this incredible deal. From now until 4/6, a child 12 and under can fly free, stay free, and ski free at Vail, Beaver Creek, Brecken-fridge, and Keystone with American Airlines when accompanied by a paying adult. Fly into Eagle County Airport, two adults stay four nights in a condo, one kid age 2-12 free on all segments per one paying adult, based on quad occupancy, and for instance from San Francisco, lodging in Vail, starting at $803/pp, mid-week, other restrictions may apply. It's now Heavenly at www.snow.com!

WOLF CREEK:
Sporting a summit base of 90 inches, especially after the big Southwest dump a week ago, they're celebrating in style. Thursday, 2/27, is Men's and Ladies Day with $44/lift and lesson package. Saturday, 3/1, is the Mardi Gras Fun Race, open to all ages and abilities, with all sorts of prizes and free schwag. And Sunday is, once again, College Day serving up tickets for $21 with valid college picture ID. Hey, Professor, wanna catch a couple turns? www.wolfcreekski.com

WYOMING:
JACKSON HOLE:
Repeat after me - over 28 feet of snow has fallen this season. One bedroom condos through 2/28 for $99/pn, get a crew together for a 2 BR for $169/pn. Last-minute air-inclusive packages start at $599/pp/do, and include R/T air from certain locations, four nights lodging and three days lift tickets. Go Big or Go Home at www.jacksonhole.com

GRAND TARGHEE:
Perfect Family Vacations for the perfect family (where kids ski and stay free) - stay 3 nights, get 3 days lift tickets, based on four adults at the Targhee Lodge, starting at $225/pp, stay five nights, get 4 days lift tickets, based on the same group size, starting at $333/pp. Find more ways to save at www.grandtarghee.com.

NEW MEXICO:
ANGEL FIRE:
The mid-week lodging/lift package ends 3/6, so jump on the chute-wagon for this one - $89/pp/do, or $62.50/pp/quad, goes up Friday and Saturday to only $107/pp/do, $70/pp/quad. Light that fire and check out more hot deals at www.angelfireresort.com!

TAOS:
Here's a novel idea - enjoy progressive savings at the Casa de las Chimeneas in the "taon" of Taos. Stay anytime Sunday-Thursday, and take 10% off your first night, %20 off the second, %30 off the third, and %40 off the fourth. Ski, eat, sleep, ski, repeat when necessary at www.skitaos.org

Backcountry News: If you're into winter mountaineering or dream of
schussing down that perfect Colorado couloir, as this writer is and does, you'll want accurate beta on which trails are doable, what their level of difficulty is and which are technical routes, and what overall to expect. Check out Lou Dawson's "Guides to Colorado's Fourteeners, Volumes I and II." Volume I covers the north peaks Colorado, Volume II the south peaks, and Dawson's expertise in the backcountry and his knowledge of the terrain shines throughout the books. Go to www.wildsnow.com to order your copy and to get free online backcountry tips.

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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