Hey, Colorado sliders!

Yes, we're back again with another week of cost-cutting ways to go skiing and snowboarding. And just in case you missed us last week, the big news is that many resorts are OPEN and that most are offering great early-season discounts to entice you up for this Thanksgiving weekend.

Conditions look awesome for this time of year throughout the state, and weather forecasters are predicting a mix of sunny skies and light snow showers for the holiday weekend.

So let's get started!

FREE LIFT TICKET WINNERS
Get our newsletter emailed to you? You just might be a winner of a free lift ticket to Monarch! Here's the winners for this week:

rns01 [at] csufresno.edu
timobrien24 [at] hotmail.com

Winners, make sure to send an email to skierrob [at] verizon.net to claim your tickets! And if you don't already subscribe to the newsletter, now's the time to do it so you can win tickets next week -- just visit slidingonthecheap.com and click on Colorado.

Now how about some discounts?

A-BASIN: OPEN!
Bringing a friend that is just learning to ski or board? They can slide for just $5 all day anyitme this season on the Molly Hogan chairlift. Or, if they act TODAY, they can purchase a $200 learn-to-ski package that gets them four 2-hour lessons, rentals for the day and an A-Basin season pass! After Nov. 26, the price goes up to $250 so call 888-272-7246 extension 3 for more information. www.arapahoebasin.com

ASPEN RESORTS -
Aspen (Opens Thursday, Nov. 27!) Buttermilk (Opens Dec. 13) Highlands (Opens Dec. 13) Snowmass (OPEN!) Purchase your lift tickets in advance before December 1 and save over $50 on a 6-day lift ticket and also receive rentals at up to a 20% discount (discount tickets not valid Dec. 20 - Jan 4). For a different experience on the mountain, ride with the groomers on FREE snowcat rides at Aspen and Snowmass... sign up by calling 800-525-6200. Also, through Dec. 18, get lodging (double occupancy) and two lift tickets a day from $325 per night at The Little Nell. www.aspensnowmass.com

COPPER MOUNTAIN: OPEN!
Through December 25, ski or board for just $49 per day (normally $64). www.coppercolorado.com

CRESTED BUTTE: Opens Dec. 13
Show up to Gart Sports - Chapel Hills Store in Colorado Springs on Dec. 6 or 7 from 9 am to 6 pm to purchase an X-Card that gets you 4 days of skiing (any 4 days you want) and two more days of skiing on April 3 and 4 for just $119. You can also get the same deal by bringing your 2003/2004 Denver Nuggets ticket stub or season pass to the lift ticket window. www.skicb.com

DURANGO MOUNTAIN RESORT / PURGATORY: Opens Nov. 26!
Special $10 "Benefit Day" lift tickets on November 26 will support Southwest Safehouse. www.ski-purg.com

ELDORA: OPEN!
Don't forget the special 3 lift tickets for $39 sale that we mentioned last week. Buy them now at any Front Range King Scoopers location or Eldora Mountain Sports in Boulder since this deal expires November 30. Have 20 friends that all want to go sliding? Get special group lodging packages starting at just $16 per night per person and discounted lift tickets. www.eldora.com

LOVELAND: OPEN!
Special 6-Pak special. Get six lift tickets for $198 for adults or $90 for kids 6-14. www.skiloveland.com

MONARCH: OPEN!
Remember how we said you can ski cheap early-season? Here's a great example! $24 adult, $12 Junior and $18 senior lift tickets now through December 12! What a great bargain considering their full-priced ticket is $44. www.skimonarch.com

POWDERHORN: Opens Dec. 11, early opening possible.
Get your Powderhorn Plus card for $25 and ski the first and last week of the season for free. Also, ski for free your 5th day of the season for free and get discounted lift tickets every day ($18 tickets Mon - Wed. and $36 thurs - Sunday / Holidays). www.powderhorn.com

SKI COOPER: Opens December 5.
www.skicooper.com

SOLVISTA: Opens Dec. 13
www.solvista.com

STEAMBOAT: Opens Wednesday, Nov. 26!
Yet another early-season discount with $15 opening day lift tickets on November 26! They currently plan on opening with 7 lifts and 61 runs. www.steamboat.com

SUNLIGHT: Opens Wednesday, Nov. 26!
It may be Thanksgiving, but start thinking about your pre-Christmas events. Bring an unwrapped toy to Sunlight on December 9 and receive a discounted lift ticket (final pricing yet to be determined). All toys will be distributed to needy children. www.sunlightmtn.com

TELLURIDE: Opens Wednesday, Nov. 26!
Get up there and slide on opening day for just $24. Proceeds will be donated to the Telluride Ski & Snowboard club. Also, until December 19, ski for $52 for adults. www.tellurideskiresort.com

VAIL RESORTS -
BEAVER CREEK (OPEN!) BRECKENRIDGE (OPEN!) KEYSTONE (OPEN!) VAIL (OPEN!) Buy one night of lodging and lift tickets and get the second night and second day of lift tickets for free when you purchase a two, four or six night lodging package through Vail Resorts. Also, get an early-season discount by booking lodging / lift tickets at Keystone... special lodging / lift ticket packages start at $59 per person per night through December 18. www.snow.com

WOLF CREEK: OPEN!
Currently 100 percent open with a base depth of 58 - 63 inches! More "Local Appreciation Days" are happening on December 3 and 10 with $21 lift tickets... no ID required! www.wolfcreekski.com

WINTER PARK: OPEN!
Get four lift tickets for $99 (not valid holidays) at special events being held throughout the front range area... check out http://www.passwagon.com/wagon/wpfourpass for all the details. Want a relaxing way to get to the slopes? Check out the Ski Train... get four coach tickets for just $129 if you purchase before December 19. www.skiwinterpark.com

Till next week,
Robert Drueckhammer
for Sliding on the Cheap!
skierrob [at] verizon.net