Greetings, Rocky Mountain and Wild, Wild West sliders!

Hard to believe, I know, but the 2002-03 season is coming to a close, and this is the last issue of the Rocky Mountain edition of Sliding on the Cheap. You'll find lots of useful information, however, on spring deals, who's selling season passes, and (sniff, sniff) closing day of each resort. Pay close attention to the front range resorts for quality of snow after last week's storm, now hailed as the worst storm in a century, dropped over seven feet of spring fresh!

Weather outlook through the weekend from our friends at Weather.com: in north and north central Colorado, chance of snow in the mountains Thursday and Friday, including a winter storm watch Wednesday night and Thursday, slight chance of mountain snow Saturday, then dry and cool. Southeast and south central Colorado will see snow showers and windy conditions Thursday and Friday, then partly cloudy and warmer for the weekend. Western Colorado weather include snow showers and wind Thursday through Saturday, then partly cloudy and cold Sunday. Western Wyoming calls for snow through Thursday, then dry and windy through the weekend. Northern New Mexico high terrain is looking at partly cloudy and snow through Friday, then partly cloudy and warmer 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: azevedo_mike [at] hotmail.com rlittle [at] leadtools.com Congratulations to our lucky riders! Claim your prize by contacting me, Skibabeage, at the email address below with your mailing address, I'll snail-mail you the vouchers, 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: closing April 20
SEVENTY-EIGHT mind-boggling and record-breaking inches of Ullr's fresh last week means lots of quality skiing and riding until closing day. Hey Mr. Wizard, is there anything in that black bag for me? Book the Ski and Stay Wizard package, at $77/pp/pn/quad in a 2BR, ski-in/ski-out, Continental Divide view condo, includes lodging and lifts, 2 night minimum stay required. Valid 3/21-3/30 when the price drops to $67/pp/pn/quad! New reservations only. High school and college students, age 14 and older, daily lift tickets are only $18, valid 3/31-4/20, must present current student ID at the ticket window. Hey, it doesn't hurt to look at www.winterparkresort.com or phone up 1-800-979-0332 to book. Gart Sports Learn to Ski package ends 3/30, but for $55 you'll get a first time lesson, all day lift ticket, and ski or snowboard rentals from participating Gart Sports in the Front Range. Go to www.gartsports.com to find a participating location near you!

COPPER MOUNTAIN: closing April 20
Mid-week premium hotel rooms still available for only $109/pn/do. April lodging and lift ticket combos starting at $74/pp/pn/quad, three night minimum, valid 3/30-4/20. Ski free/stay free by booking three nights lodging and three days of lifts then get the fourth of each for free, $99/pp/pn/quad now through 3/30, drops to $69/pp/pn/quad for the month of April. More hot deals of the last-minute variety as well at www.coppercolorado.com.

Tip o' the Ski Week: Rocky Mountain resorts don't end the mountain fun with closing day for the winter season. In Colorado alone, almost every resort reopens in June and goes through Labor Day weekend, offering mountainside family activities and some of the best mountain biking in the nation. Many resorts also celebrate the blooming of the wildflowers with festivals, and they are quite an alpine show. Others offer film festivals, chamber music series, rock festivals, brewfests, bluegrass festivals, and Telluride even has a no-festival weekend which is a break for the locals from the fact there's something stupendous going on every weekend there! If you don't have the chance to enjoy the mountains in the summer, then you truly won't know what you're missing!

AHHHH-BASIN: closing in June, maybe?
The Ski 'n' Stay deal at www.themanagers.com runs out on 4/2, but stay in a 1 BR + loft condo and ski for $62/pp/pn/quad weekdays, $67/pp/pn/quad weekends. More hot lodging/lift package deals at www.arapahoebasin.com and hit the hot deals link.

ASPEN RESORTS:
Aspen closing April 20 Snowmass closing April 13 Highlands/Buttermilks closing April 6 The Wildwood Lodge this weekend is offering their Superior rooms for $74/pn, normally $249. No minimum night stay, includes full breakfast and access to the health club, and better yet it's a walk to the lifts at Snowmass! Stay at Snowmass Mountain Chalet for only $89/pn, valid until 4/4. To book or for more details, hit Virtual Hostel at www.aspen4u.com/specials.php or call 888-649-5982. More Affordable Aspen deals at www.stayaspen.com/specials.php.

CRESTED BUTTE: closing April 6
Ride plus-perfect powder with the Lasties Package 3/29-4/6. 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? 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: closing April 6
They're currently selling the all-popular all-season pass for 2003-4 which includes not only winter riding at DMR, but 10 days of riding at Kirkwood Resort outside the Tahoe Basin in CA, 3 days of sizzling down Taos chutes in NM, discounts to all resort vendor purchases, AND summer lifts and MTB. If you're a noob, it's $599, but if you had an adult full season, adult value, or adult flex pass this season, it's only $499. You'll find the link online at www.durangomountainresort.com under The Mountain drop-down menu. Sale ends April 25.

ELDORA: closing March 30
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: closing no earlier than May 4, but with the recent snowfall
it could be May 11th or even later! Ongoing reasons #798 and #799 to skip the Ice-enhower Tunnel: EIGHTY-NINE inches of Ullr's freshies last week! 'Nuff said. Ladies, learn to snowboard this Saturday for only $60! Price includes a half-day beginner lesson, a full-day lift ticket, gear, and a free gift. Pre-registration is required, must be there by 9 AM, space limited. Feel the Love at www.skiloveland.com.

MONARCH MOUNTAIN: closing day April 6
Go to the website and click on the spring deals link. Print off the coupon that says "Monarch Spring 4-pack for only $69 for yourself and three others," then hustle your buns to Monarch Pass on Hwy 50! The ski-pass is good now through closing day and includes a one-topping pizza and beverages, so lunch is literally on the mountain. Check out also the Break Free package for $129/pp/do that includes two nights lodging at the Monarch Mountain Lodge, two days lift tickets, four hours of lessons and two days of rentals. Call the Monarch Mountain Lodge at 1-800-332-3668 for details, or get more scoop at www.skimonarch.com.

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

SILVERTON MOUNTAIN: closing April 13, tentatively, but will stay open
as long as demand dictates. So, make 'em stay open until July! You won't find a better extreme guided ski experience, and for only $99/pp. Limited to 40 people per day. Worth it's weight in gold, be One With the Extreme at www.silvertonmountain.com.

SKI COOPER: closing day March 30
They still have 2002-3 season passes on sale for an unbelievable $199 and keep looking for something equally ridiculously inexpensive for the 2003-4 season. Till then, be one with the 10th at www.skicooper.com.

STEAMBOAT: closing April 13
I'm not kidding on this one - you have to stay at the Rabbit Ears Motel in downtown Steamboat Springs. Not only is the room $69/pn through the 28th and includes continental breakfast, it's one of those landmarks of the Steamboat area. View vacancy at www.skitown.com and click on the Last Second link, book your room, then enjoy the Steamboat Hot Springs facility right across the street. Other packages available at www.steamboat.com

SUNLIGHT MOUNTAIN: closing April 6
The Spring Thing and Cardboard Box derby is this Saturday, entry fees are only $5 but the prizes will knock your socks off! Ski, Swim, and Stay package deals end March 31, so enjoy this one-of-a-kind pampering starting at $59/pp/pn, and kids ski free (one child age 13 or under per one paying adult). www.sunlightmtn.com

TELL-U-RIDE: closing April 6
Last Tracks ski package at the New. The New Sheridan Hotel, that is, you know, the one you see in the background of the Nissan Avalanche commercial, and for $175/pn/do, it includes lodging, two lift tickets, and full breakfast, two night minimum stay, valid 3/29-4/6. The 2003-4 College Season Pass is still on sale for $189, and you ski each day of the rest of the season for only $30. More hot deals at www.tellurideskiresort.com.

VAIL RESORTS:
Beaver Creek: closing April 13 Brecken-fridge: closing April 20 Keystone: closing April 20 (tentative) Vail: closing April 20 It's back! The $99 Spring Fling six-pack of tickets! Available online ONLY at www.vail.com, valid 4/5-4/20, and must be purchased 14 days in advance. April Spring Fling lift ticket/lodging packages also now available to book, valid 4/5-4/20, starting at $83/pp/pn/quad in a hotel room and provides three nights of lodging and three days of skiing. Each additional day of skiing up to six days is FREE and each additional night of lodging is $49.50/pp/pn. Call 800-404-3535 for reservations and information or book online at www.vail.com. Check out the latest discount lift ticket news also at www.livewireinternational.com, or go to any of their self-automated kiosks located in Breeze/Max, Christy Sports, Colorado Ski & Golf, REI, Grand West Outfitters, Pioneer Sports, Boulder Ski Deals, Mountain Sports Outlet, Outpost Sunsports, Antler's Trading Post, and Maison De Ski. More "Heavenly" spring break deals at www.snow.com!

WOLF CREEK: closing April 6
Locals Appreciation day is this Sunday, offering adult lift tickets for $21 and kids for $12. www.wolfcreekski.com

WYOMING:
JACKSON HOLE: closing April 6
With 36 feet of seasonal total snowfall, you'd better get there while you can. Book the Classic Ski Package that includes five nights lodging in an economy motel, get four days lift tickies for $358/pp/do, valid 4/1-4/6. The Spring Ski Free is still available for $61/pp/pn/quad and includes lodging and lift tix. Go Big or Go Home at www.jacksonhole.com

GRAND TARGHEE: closing April 13
Ski free with your season pass from any other resort anywhere as long as you book your lodging at the Targhee by calling 1-800-TARGHEE, valid 3/30-4/13, includes one free day skiing with every night's lodging for everyone staying in the room. There's more value to be found at www.grandtarghee.com

NEW MEXICO:
ANGEL FIRE: closing March 30
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! $25 adult lift tickets, good 3/23/-3/30, but only when purchased online. Stay slopeside at the resort for only $69/pn, offer ends 3/30. Light that fuego and hurry to www.angelfire.com!

SKI APACHE: closing March 30
Powder in the trees, plenty of groomers, and the slopes all to yourself. Book great hometown hospitality at www.skiapache.com and click on the lodging link, or try the Chamber link at www.ruidoso.net.

TAOS: closing April 6
Millennium Passes for the 2003/04 season on sale now! For $425 you can ski 70 days of the 2003/04 season PLUS, you can ski the last 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 time, stay low, stay smart, and stay luz,
Your Robin Hood of the Rockies,
Martha
skibabeage [at] hotmail.com

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