Greetings, Rocky Mountain and Wild, Wild West sliders!

Well, the weather's warming up and so are the specials. It's the heart of peak season, party season, Spring Break season and even though rates for lodging and lifts traditionally go much higher, there are still some fantastic offers from all resorts. Without further delay, read on, because these Cheaps Deals are just begging to be taken advantage of!

Weather outlook from our friends at Weather.com: in Colorado, partly cloudy and snow showers through Thursday, then dry and warmer over the weekend. Western Wyoming calls for chance of light mountain snow through the weekend. Northern New Mexico high terrain is looking at dry and warm through the weekend as well. 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: nbragg [at] mtsu.edu papitoraton [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! 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:
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. You'll need lodging, too, so consider staying in one of the select condos through Winter Park Vacations, 1BR starting at $115/pn (sleeps four), minimum two night stay, through 3/30. Hey, it doesn't hurt to look at www.winterparkresort.com or phone up 1-800-979-0332 to book.

COPPER MOUNTAIN:
Hotel rooms from $109/do weekdays, $129/do weekends through March. 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 and a Cheap Author's Plug: 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: With springlike conditions encroaching on the
Rockies, now more than ever you'll want to layer clothing and wear sunscreen. The toughest part of skiing is sweating while working those steep downhill lines, then sitting on the lift and catching a chill on the way up. And of course, daytime temperature swings are becoming more pronounced. Pack lots of layers on so you can peel them off as conditions dictate and work to keep your core dry. The alpine sun is also climbing higher in the sky, so those UV rays are starting to burn tender faces - wear at least a 30SPF on your face and don't forget the lip balm. And remember, hydrate, hydrate, and hydrate some more! All that dry air and heavy breathing will deplete your moisture stores like a prune!

AHHHH-BASIN:
Good news! With the last big storm, not only was there enough snow at the Basin to open the East Wall, there was TOO MUCH snow! The Basin's expert Ski Patrol have been diligently shooting for avy control, and this past week the Wall has been open for at least a few hours daily. And are you ready for Beach'n at the Basin? Call 970-496-7001 to reserve your beach spot, pay $100, and you'll get 2 side-by-side parking spots and a picnic table, ready for all the grillin' and chillin' you can imagine. More hot lodging/lift package deals at www.arapahoebasin.com.

ASPEN RESORTS:
Aspen/Snowmass Highlands/Buttermilks Despite the fact that it's peak season and Spring Break, Affordable Aspen is still outdoing themselves! Stay at the St. Moritz European style lodge now through 3/24, including continental breakfast, pool/whirlpool, steam room, après ski parties, parking, cable TV/HBO, and daily maid service. Consider a small room with shared bath for $79/pn, or a standard lodge room for $109/pn, some minimum night stays required. The St. Moritz also offers hostel-style facilities if you're into the group grope. More last-minute deals at www.stayaspen.com/specials.php.

CRESTED BUTTE:
The "Lasties" package: 3/29 - Closing Day 4/6. Get in on the tail end of the ski season with a screamin' deal, warm weather and hot parties! Two nights lodging at the Sheraton Crested Butte Resort and a two day lift ticket starting at $106/pp/do. Price is subject to availability and does not include taxes. Great condo deals also available. Call for details. 800-544-8448 or visit us at www.CrestedButteResort.com

DURANGO MOUNTAIN RESORT/PURGATORY:
SKI FREE/RIDE FREE when you stay slopeside. It´s that simple. Room rates start at $85/pp/pn/do in a studio unit, including breakfast, minimum 3 nights stay during regular winter season, non-holiday taxes not included. Subject to availability and change. Other restrictions may apply. 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 #123 and #124 to skip the Ice-enhower Tunnel: 106.7 KBPI is having Uncle Nasty's Hump Day Hooky Wednesdays at the Land of Love. If you sign up to be a member at www.kbpi.com and print off the voucher, you can ski for 11 bucks, but only on Wednesdays! They're still running the burger-licious Wendy's 2-fer-1 lift ticket offer! Visit any Denver area Wendy's and pick up a coupon for a two-for-one $43 adult lift ticket and $5 off ski or snowboard rentals. Offer valid from 2/24-3/30, 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.

MONARCH MOUNTAIN:
In addition to the ever-popular Monarch Lodge deal (ski 'n' stay for $74/pp/pn at www.monarchmountainlodge.com, there are oodles of Play 'n' Stay deals in the outlying areas of Buena Vista, Salida, and Canon City. Click on www.playandstay.info and peruse lodging/lift rates for as low as $35/pp/pn/do, some restrictions may of course apply. Check ongoing conditions at www.skimonarch.com.

SILVERTON MOUNTAIN:
The press is out on this up-and-coming extreme-fest, so hop aboard before the crowds and lifts start to multiply and increase, and a full day, guided pass is only $99 and is limited to something ridiculous like 40 people on the mountain daily TOTAL. Read more at www.freeskier.com/skiers/article_display.cfm?refid=815, www.powdermag.com/events/powdertothepeople/pttpsilv/, or check out the news pics (you'll be breathless!) at www.silvertonmountain.com/gallery/album04?&page=1. Worth it's weight in gold, be One With the Extreme at www.silvertonmountain.com.

STEAMBOAT:
Come on, Mom and Dad, pack the kids off with Grams and Gramps for Spring Break and head off on your own. You can't miss with Steamboat's Kids/GrandKids Ski Free programs, valid the entire season, enabling children 6-12 years of age to ski free the same number of days as their parents or grandparents when a parent or grandparent purchases a 5-or-more-day lift ticket. This offer is on a one-to-one basis, with one free child per paid adult. Get info online at www.steamboat.com or book through Steamboat Central Reservations by calling 1-877-237-2628.

TELL-U-RIDE:
I hate to be the one to tell you, but the season is rapidly coming to a close. Grab the Season Ending Special between 3/21 and 4/6, get 3 nights lodging at the Telluride Mountain Inn/3 days lifts, starting at $251/pp/do. There's still room for Spring Breakers through www.resortquesttelluride.com, f'rinstance get some friends together, stay in a 2BR condo for four nights between 3/16 and 3/29, get three days lifts, starting at $286/pp/quad. And College Season Passes are on sale now for next year, only $189, but they also allow you to ski the remainder of the season for $30/day! 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! BUT, Vail Resorts is having a Spring Lodging Sale! 3/15-3/21, from $49/pp/pn/so* in a hotel room; 3/22-3/28 from $35/pp/pn/so* in a 2BR condo; 3/29-4/5 from $37/pp/pn/so* in a hotel room; 4/6-close from $28/pp/pn/so* in a hotel room. And add on lift tickets to your lodging, 3 and 4 day passes to Keystone/Breck for $99, 3 and 4 day passes to Vail/Beaver Creek for $155. 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! PS *so = standard occupancy.

WYOMING:
JACKSON HOLE:
The last, best, deepest snow in the Rockies, enjoy one of the condo specials at the JH Racquet Club - a 1BR condo goes for $129/pn now through 4/6, some restrictions apply. The Ski Value Package is another good one - 4 nights lodging/3 days lifts for either two people in a single room or four people in a 2BR condo, starting at $335/pp, valid 3/18-4/6, other restrictions apply. Go Big or Go Home at www.jacksonhole.com

GRAND TARGHEE:
Value season at the Tar-Ghee starts again on March 22, and prices drop significantly. Stay at the Grand Targhee Lodge 3 nights, get 3 days lift tickets, put four people in a room, and you're In Like Flint at $178/pp. There's more value to be found at www.grandtarghee.com

NEW MEXICO:
ANGEL FIRE:
Season Passes for 2003/04 are already on sale for only $198 - this is the CHEAPEST they'll ever be, and they will discontinue this price after April 15! Plus, you guessed it, you'll be able to ski the remainder of the season on next year's pass AND get free MTB uplifts and scenic chair rides all summer! Light that fuego and hurry to www.angelfire.com!

SKI APACHE:
It's winter at the top, spring at the bottom, according to Apache's Skibum, so you get the best of both worlds. Superb lodging/lift deals abound, including at the economy Sitzmark Chalet, where you'll get a standard queen room for two nights and two days lift tickets for $133/pp/do. More great info at www.skiapache.com and click on the lodging link.

TAOS:
Millennium Passes for the 2003/04 season on sale starting March 15! For $425 you can ski 70 days of the 2003/04 season PLUS, you can ski the last 15 days of the 2002/03 season. Supplies are limited, some blackouts apply. And for those who always feel like a kid, this spring EVERYONE pays kid's prices, starting March 30 through closing, the most an adult will pay for a lift ticket is $24! 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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