Greetings, Rocky Mountain and Wild, Wild West sliders!

Ullr, the Norse Snow God, has been messing with us. He sent us that huge storm several weeks ago, blanketing the Rockies with the best powder in years, according to us locals, then apparently got so worn out from the effort he took a long snooze, during which time the temperatures warmed up, the sun came out, and we were starting to think the season was over. Well, Ullr has awoken, and I've never seen it snow so hard and pile so deep, even in my youth in Vermont. Over three feet of freshies in two days, and that's at the CO Continental Divide. This might be the last hurrah, and you're burnin' daylight, so check out the ongoing superb deals and get up here!

Weather outlook through the weekend from our friends at Weather.com: in Colorado, snow. Western Wyoming calls for snow. Northern New Mexico high terrain is looking at snow. Keep it simple. 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: husaks [at] msn.com sleepyg1 [at] cs.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: A Foot of Fresh Sunday night, THIRTY-EIGHT MORE
INCHES since Monday night, Winter Park has BROKEN it's previous 24-hour snowfall record, and there's no end in sight. Get this - $77/pp/pn/quad in a two bedroom, ski-in/ski-out, Continental Divide view condo, includes lodging and lifts, 2 night minimum stay required. Valid 3/21-3/30. New reservations only. Hey, it doesn't hurt to look at www.winterparkresort.com or phone up 1-800-979-0332 to book.

COPPER MOUNTAIN:
TWENTY-ONE INCHES IN 48 HOURS! Hotel rooms from $109/do weekdays, $129/do weekends through March, restrictions may apply. For details or to book call 1-866-264-1838. Ski Free/Stay Free $99/pp/quad 3/20-3/30 or $69/pp/quad 3/31-4/20, get 4 nights lodging/4 days lift tickets for the price of three each! More hot deals of the last-minute variety as well at www.coppercolorado.com.

Tip o' the Ski Week: Roads are sketchy at best, and at press time on March 19, I-70 is closed eastbound and westbound between Morrison and Silverthorne, Berthoud Pass is closed, Loveland Pass is closed, and Denver International Airport is closed. Vail Pass is open, but chains, snowtires, or 4WD are required. For updated road conditions, call 1-877-315-ROAD, or visit the Colorado Department of Transportation website at www.cotrip.org.

AHHHH-BASIN:
A-basin's getting the fringe benefits of this upslope system, totaling 19+ inches of fresh in the last day or so. Stay in Dillon at the Best Western Ptarmigan Inn, get a lift ticket to boot, only $49/pp/pn/do, valid 3/23/-6/30. More hot lodging/lift package deals at www.arapahoebasin.com.

ASPEN RESORTS:
Aspen/Snowmass Highlands/Buttermilks In addition to the still-running special at the St. Moritz as mentioned in last week's newsletter, check out the Fasching Haus hotel rooms, starting at $89/pn, two night minimum, now through 3/27. Stonebridge Inn run-of-the-house hotel room, $75/pn, 3/26/-3/29, no minimum night stay required. Seven-day advance purchase lift tickets are still the way to go and save at Affordable Aspen. More last-minute deals at www.stayaspen.com/specials.php.

CRESTED BUTTE:
Ride plus-perfect powder with the Lasties Package 3/29-closing Day 4/6. 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. Can't wait? Try the Sunscreen Required deal, 3/15-3/29, $276/pp for four nights lodging at the Sheraton/three days lift tickets. Or, click on the "Sun Baked in the Butte" link on the Hot Deals page and check out all the lodging/lift options to fit anybody's wallet, from $138/pp/do at the Manor Lodge for three nights lodging/two days lifts. Call for details. 800-544-8448 or visit www.CrestedButteResort.com

DURANGO MOUNTAIN RESORT/PURGATORY:
Seventeen inches of fresh in the last 48 hours. Kids ski and ride free on 3/22. Ski Free/Ride Free/Eat Free when you stay in a Slopeside condo, minimum three-night stay, for only $85/pp/pn/do, breakfast is included! More sizzling deals by calling 1-800-982-6103 or online at www.durangomountainresort.com

ELDORA:
The Mouse That Roared just got hit with TWO FEET of Fresh! 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, so enjoy these phenomenal conditions while they last! Why pay for another full-price at-window ticket?! www.eldora.com

LOVELAND:
Ongoing reasons #602, 603 and #604 to skip the Ice-enhower Tunnel: THREE FEET OF FRESH IN TWO DAYS! 'Nuff said. FIND SAM ADAMS DAY presented by BOSTON BEER COMPANY: all day long Sam Adams will be skiing the slopes at Loveland Ski Area. Find Sam Adams and stop him to receive coupons good for a variety of prizes and beer specials, 21 and over only. Specials on Sam Adams beer all day. They're still running the Wendy's 2-fer-1 special - stop at any Denver area Wendy's and pick up a coupon for $43 2-fer-1 lift tickets and $5 off ski or snowboard rentals. Offer good 3/24-3/30, not valid with any other discount or promotion, both tickets must be used the same day. Feel the Love at www.skiloveland.com.

MONARCH MOUNTAIN:
Play & Stay is still cutting it up with superb lodging/lift ticket packages starting at $35/pp/pn/do, but only at www.playandstay.info. Check ongoing conditions at www.skimonarch.com.

POWDERHORN:
ALL lift tickets are only $19 now through closing day, March 30. A foot of freshies in the last day, and more on the way. Check out conditions at www.powderhorn.com

SILVERTON MOUNTAIN:
Here's the best of several worlds: check out the expert adventure with the Durango/Purgatory San Juan Hat Trick. Ski/ride a day at DMR and then get into the San Juan backcountry for two days: spend a day with the San Juan Ski Company on a snowcat trip into 35,000 acres of San Juan National Forest, and THEN head up on the third day to Silverton Mountain for guided big mountain adventure as only Silverton knows how to do it, $556/pp/do for a four night/three day Expert Adventure, subject to availability. You'll need to contact the good folks at www.durangomountainresort.com for this package. Or just head for Silverton for 3 days at $99/pp/pday and skip the running around. Worth it's weight in gold, be One With the Extreme at www.silvertonmountain.com.

STEAMBOAT:
Rent a HOUSE at Steamboat for only $150/pn, through 3/23, minimum two nights. Giant duplex, sunrise unit, each side sleeps 10, rent one or both sides, for 10 people that's $15/pp/pn! See www.sunspot-lodge.com. More good news - at Steamboat Premier Properties Limited, book three or more nights, get the last night FREE, and purchase a two-or-more day lift ticket and get one of those days FREE, good 3/22-4/13, must book by 3/27, call 1-866-841-5386!

TELL-U-RIDE:
Book that Season Ending special now through 4/6, three nights lodging, at the Telluride Mountain Inn, three days skiing, starting at $256/pp/do. 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, rooms as low as $35/00/pn now through 3/28! Add a 3- or 4-day lift ticket to your lodging reservation for as little as $99! More "Heavenly" spring break deals at www.snow.com!

WOLF CREEK:
TWENTY-ONE inches during this latest storm, offering up a 109-inch summit base depth. Lifts are only $43/adult for the best powder in Colorado. www.wolfcreekski.com

WYOMING:
JACKSON HOLE:
Feelin' tall? Not when you realize JH has gotten THIRTY-SIX FEET of snow this season, and there's more coming down even as you read. The Spring Ski Free package is up'n'comin' for $61/pp/pn/quad, includes lodging at the Village Center Inn and lift tickets, offer good 3/22-4/6. Go Big or Go Home at www.jacksonhole.com

GRAND TARGHEE:
Two-fer-one Snowcat Skiing, now through the end of the season! Get a bud and split the $299 fee, full-day only, lunch included, space available. SKI FREE at the Tar-GHEE when you bring your season pass from ANY other resort and stay at the Western Village at Grand Targhee, 3/30-4/13. 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:
Conditions are excellent at the Apache, powder and packed powder with more fresh on the way. SkiBum says be prepared for changing road and weather conditions, and throw those tire chains in the car. Lift tickets are only $45/adult, economy motels in Ruidoso start at $28/pn. More great hometown hospitality at www.skiapache.com and click on the lodging link, or try the Chamber link at www.ruidoso.net.

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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