Greetings, Rocky Mountain and Wild, Wild West sliders!

I hope you've been watching the news, if you haven't actually been in the Rockies skiing this fine powder. The truth of the matter is, this last storm was the biggest of the season. Resorts reported anything from 3-7 FEET of fresh in a matter of six days. Word from the slopes is that's it the best powder anyone's ridden in at least 5 years. So, get off your tushes and start making plans to head for the hills, because the only thing better than the snow are the new deals resorts are willing to make to get you up here!

Weather outlook from our friends at Weather.com: it's dumping on the Continental Divide even as you read. In Colorado, snow and cold in the mountains, mostly dry on the plains. Western Wyoming calls for snow and cold in the western mountains. Northern New Mexico high terrain is looking at snow showers through Thursday, temperatures warming above freezing Friday 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: thomason [at] gjhosp.org lori.adams [at] cisf.af.mil 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! And if you haven't checked the archives at www.slidingonthecheap.com/Colorado, you're missing out on some pretty good information!

WINTER PARK/MARY JANE:
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. Don't need lodging? Get your Arby's coupon book and look for the coupon inside that says "buy one all-day adult lift ticket at WP or MJ windows and get a child's lift ticket (6-13) free." Good now through 3/30.

COPPER MOUNTAIN:
Buy 3 nights of lodging and get the 4th free! Buy 3 days of lift tickets and get the 4th free! 2 BR condos from $99/pp/pn/quad, including lift tickets! Rate valid 3/20-3/30. Four night minimum required, other 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.

Ski Book News: Yours truly here does a bit more writing than volunteering
for this humble e-newsletter. In case you're riding any of the 40 resorts in California, my previous home, there's a great new Falcon Guide book out called "Ski & Snowboard California's Sierra Nevada," written by, um, Martha Perantoni (that would be me)! Not only does the book review and give you insider tips on the best parts of all 40 resorts, large and small, in the Golden State (and don't let the title mislead you - it includes resorts in the San Bernardinos and San Gabriels in SoCal, and the Warners and Cascades in NoCal), it's pretty darned good reading as well. There's a little of the natural and cultural history of California, bits of trivia, and some great photos as well as all the trail maps for you to peruse. You'll also find info on where to stay, where to eat, and where to find that soothing apres-ski brew-ski. It's available online at www.globe-pequot.com, or click on the book icon on the home page of Sliding on the Cheap. Help keep a starving writer on the slopes!

Tip o' the Ski Week: As a mountain town dweller, I take delight in watching
guests up from the city and flatlands. I've noticed a dangerous pattern, however, that pedestrians often mistake snow-covered roads for safe places to walk. Not true! Most vehicular roads in the mountains are snow-covered for at least half the year, so what visiting pedestrians might actuallly be doing is setting themselves for a big bonk by a fast-traveling automobile. If you're on a snow-cvered mountain road, stay well off to the side and if walking after dark, be certain to carry either a flashlight or wear light clothing!

AHHHH-BASIN:
Go to www.skicoupons.com, click on the Summit County link, then go to the Discount Lift Tickets link on the pull-down menu. Print out the coupon that says "ski mid-week A-Basin for $35," then Ski Above All. More hot lodging/lift package deals at www.arapahoebasin.com.

ASPEN RESORTS:
Aspen/Snowmass Highlands/Buttermilks Amtrak is currently offering a 25% discount for online coach bookings. Normal R/T fare from Denver to Glenwood Springs is $128, you do the math, and kids of AAA members ride for free! So, stay in Glenwood Springs for the weekend (www.glenscape.com) where lodging will be significantly less (and there's that superb hot springs!), ride the 35-minute shuttle bus from Glenwood Springs to Aspen, buy your mulit-day lift tickets online at www.aspensnowmass.com, and not only will you save 10% and your kids 6 and under will ski free, you'll avoid those painful lift lines.

CRESTED BUTTE:
Spring Break special at the Butte, through 3/14, includes 5 nights lodging in a condo/4 days lift tickets, starting at $552/pp/do. Follow that with the Sunscreen Required package, from 3/15 - 3/28, includes 4 nights lodging/3 days lifts, starting at $276/pp/do. Book online at www.skicb.com.

DURANGO MOUNTAIN RESORT/PURGATORY:
Learn to Ski/Ride AND get lodging and lifts for the unbelievable low price of $129/pp/do in a studio condo! Stay three nights in the mountainside condo, get three lessons, three days of lift tickets, and three days of rentals at one of America's funnest winter playgrounds! More sizzling deals by calling 1-800-982-6103 or online at www.durangomountainresort.com

ELDORA:
The early bird gets the jump on things - purchase a 2003-2004 season pass for $279/adult renewal, $299/adult new, AND the pass is good for the remainder of the 2002-2003 season. Why pay for another full-price at-window ticket?! www.eldora.com

LOVELAND:
Ongoing reasons #1001 to skip the Ice-enhower Tunnel: WENDYS TWO-FOR-ONE LIFT TICKET OFFER! Visit any Denver area Wendys and pick up a coupon for a two-for-one $43 adult lift ticket and $5 off ski or snowboard rentals. Offer valid from 2/24/03 through 3/30/03, not valid with any other discount or promotion. Both tickets must be used on the same day. See coupon for details and restrictions. Feel the Love at www.skiloveland.com.

SILVERTON MOUNTAIN:
Silverton currently boasts the #1 deepest summit base in Colorado. $99/day guided backcountry-style ski passes are going fast - still openings for March 9, reservations required. Be one with the Extreme at www.silvertonmountain.com

STEAMBOAT:
Skip the Spring Break crowds and check out the Family & Friends Spring Free packages. Family Spring Free, minimum 2 nights lodging/2 days lifts, kids and teens ski free, $130/pn/per adult 3/19-4/3, $102/pn/per adult 4/4-4/13. Friends Ski Free, buy 2 nights lodging get the third FREE, buy a 2-or-more day lift ticket get a second of equal or lesser value for a friend for FREE, valid 3/21 - 4/13. Get info online at www.steamboat.com or book through Steamboat Central Reservations by calling 1-877-237-2628.

TELL-U-RIDE:
It's Telluride's 30th anniversary bash, already underway, and to celebrate, ResortQuest Lodging (www.resortquesttelluride.com) is offering savings of up to 40% on lift tickets and lodging packages from 3/16-3/29.* Start at $286/pp* for 4 nights lodging/3 day lift tickets in a 2BR condo, or start at $371/pp* for 4 nights lodging/3 day lift ticket at the Manitou Lodge B&B. Save up to 30% when you book ski or snowboard rentals with ResortQuest Ski & Sport. *Restrictions apply Telluride Card holders and friends, 5- & 10-day pass holders, and College Pass holders ski for only $39/day on 30th Birthday concert dates. More hot deals at www.tellurideskiresort.com

VAIL RESORTS:
Beaver Creek, Brecken-fridge, Keystone, Vail REPEAT AFTER ME: VAIL RESORTS DOES NOT OFFER DISCOUNT LIFT TICKETS SOLAMENTE EXCEPT THROUGH THEIR PEAKS PROGRAM! All resorts are sporting pretty darned good lodging prices for peak season. March 1-7 - $33/pp/pn/so* at Keystone in a 2-BR condo (midweek), $60/pp/pn/so* at Vail in a hotel room, $74/pp/pn/so* at Beaver Creek in a 1BR condo, $96/pp/pn/so* at Breckenridge in a 1BR condo. Lift Ticket Deal! >From March 23 - April 4, you can ADD a 4-day lift ticket to your lodging reservation starting at just $99! Here's yet another perk - effective immediately, all lodging reservation cancellation fees at Colorado RockResorts and Vail Resorts Lodging Company properties are being waived on travel that is completed by 6/1/03. More "Heavenly" spring break deals at www.snow.com! *so = standard occupancy

WYOMING:
JACKSON HOLE:
Saddle up and grab the Cowboy Package, 5 nights lodging/4 days lifts, starting at $333/pp/6 adults in a 2 BR condo, or wait a few for the Spring Ski Free package, starting at $61/pp/pn/quad, include lodging AND lift ticket, valid 3/22-4/6. Go Big or Go Home at www.jacksonhole.com

NEW MEXICO:
SKI APACHE:
At the request of an earnest reader, this is the inaugural week and a chance to say hello to Ski Apache, home (and I quote) "to a lot of mountain ex-patriots stuck in Texas." This gem of a 750 acre resort, near Ruidoso, NM, is still offering daily at-window lift tickets for a mere $49/peak season. Almost all the lodging in the area offers packages, such as a standard room, 2 nights lodging/1 day skiing, starting at $53/pp/do. More great info at www.skiapache.com

TAOS:
Though the spring packages won't start until March 17 or so, there are great lodging/lift deals called "Taos Pillow and Powder Packages." And with over SEVEN FEET of snow fallen during the latter part of February, alone, you'll want to get on the A-Train and shoot those chutes! A number of fine establishments, both in the ski valley and in town, are offering great deals, but you've got to look at www.taos-pillow-packages.com. For example, stay at the El Pueblo Lodge for three nights, ski three days, and pay only $225/pp/do, complimentary breakfast included. Ski, eat, sleep, ski, repeat when necessary at www.skitaos.org

Backcountry News: All this snow is beautiful on groomed slopes, but
incredibly treacherous in the backcountry. Over 60 slides in Colorado alone last week and two more snow addicts killed by trying to outsmart the steeps. Might be good to give the backcountry a rest for the remainder of the month, ride the resorts (include Nordic tracks!), then hit the couloirs again when spring starts to roll around come April. We'd all like to see you around for a while.

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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