Hey, Sliders!

Happy holidays from everyone at Sliding On The Cheap, your one-stop source for the best skiing and boarding deals.

The word of the week throughout Colorado is POWDER ... according to weather.com, the white stuff is supposed to start falling from the sky throughout the state on Christmas morning through December 27 and then again from December 29 right on through the new year. And considering that the resorts have already been hammered with snow during the past few weeks, this may turn out to be one of the best times to ski this year.

While the Christmas season isn't necessarily known for the best skiing deals, we've got lots of ways for you to save money during the next few weeks. And here's a hint if you want to avoid the big crowds... try visiting a smaller resort for a day that is known to cater to local sliders. You'll get a lot more skiing / borading in, a lot less waiting in lift lines, and great deals on top of it.

SPORTS BASEMENT!
Do all your Christmas shopping while relaxing at home- and do it cheap! Sports Basement offers a vast selection of snowboard, ski gear and clothing, athletic shoes, backpacks, sleeping bags, snowboards, fitness and triathlon apparel, cycling gear and more. Major named-brands up to 70% off retail price every day. (Before the SOTC discount.) Sliders always receive an ADDITIONAL 10% off online at www.sportsbasement.com when you enter coupon code SLIDING3 at checkout.

FREE LIFT TICKET
Get the newsletter? You might be a winner of a lift ticket to Monarch! Here's this week's winners:

kyleschroder [at] yahoo.com djdurrett [at] hotmail.com

Don't get the newsletter via email yet? Subscribe at slidingonthecheap.com for your chance to win!

Now, how about we get started with our weekly listing of deals?

A-BASIN:
It may be the holidays, but Arapahoe Basin sure is pulling out all the stops to entice you up to the slopes. Beginners can still ski for just $5 on the Molly Hogan lift and kids 6-14 ski for free with every paid full-price adult ticket. Know someone who wants to learn how to ski for Christmas? Get them set up with A-Basin's Learn to Ski program... get four two-hour lessons, rentals for the day and a SEASON PASS to A-Basin for just $250! www.arapahoebasin.com

ASPEN RESORTS-
Aspen Buttermilk Highlands Snowmass Aspen says their conditions are "Epic", and it's hard not to believe them with all the snow that's been falling. Going up for New Years? Buy your 4-day or longer lift ticket ahead of time on their website and save big bucks... you can save up to $28! Still need to plan a Christmas vacation? Check out the Aspen / Snowmass last-minute vacation specials at http://www.stayaspensnowmass.com/specials.php to save big bucks on your trip. One recent check had rooms at Laurelwood running as low as $125 per night (normally $265) all the way through December 27! www.aspensnowmass.com

COPPER MOUNTAIN:
Thinking about booking a trip for the future? Check out Copper's MLK weekend special... get a two-bedroom condo from $109 per person, per night (quad occupancy) and get access to Copper's BeeLine lift ticket that we consistently rave about (basically, you get your own special lift line where you don't need to wait to get on the lift!) Copper still has some New Years packages still available also... get a one-bedroom condo from $164 per person, per night (double occupancy) with BeeLine lift tickets included. See? You CAN save money during the holidays! www.coppercolorado.com

CRESTED BUTTE:
Wow... talk about last-minute deals. Now through January 6, get three nights lodging, a two-day lift ticket and a one-hour massage from just $193 per person when you call 800-810-SNOW and ask for their "Feel The Rhythm" package. Also try asking them for their "New Year's Sizzler" package (valid Dec. 26 - Jan. 2) and stay for three nights for the price of two. www.skicb.com

DURANGO MOUNTAIN RESORT / PURGATORY:
More than 5 inches of new snow in the past 48 hours and more on the way means that Purgatory is 99% open! Get your favorite non-skier / boarder the present they will never forget... three nights of lodging, two ski or board lessons, 3 days of rental equipment, 3 days of lift tickets and a free breakfast every day from just $99 per person per night. www.ski-purg.com

ELDORA:
For a great way to save money, make sure to check out Eldora's Ten-8 club. Just $49 gets you lift tickets at the half-day rate all season long (including the holidays!), a free TEN-8 zip-neck micro-fleece, TEN-8 club hat, a free ski or snowboard tune-up, a free one day basket check, a free test drive on Volkl demo skis or Burton snowboard, a free Ten-8 club sticker and reduced-rate season locker rentals. Whew. You can purchase Ten-8 memberships in person at Eldora Mountain Sports in Boulder, by calling 303-440-8700, on Eldora's website or in person at the resort. www.eldora.com

LOVELAND:
Get six lift tickets for just $198 for adults or $90 for kids 6-14 with their "Six-Pak" special. Purchase online ... www.skiloveland.com

MONARCH:
Want to get your employees a special last-minute holiday gift? Check out Monarch's Corporate Employee Incentive Package. Get 10 coupons, each valid for one night lodging (double occupancy) and 1-day lift ticket for just $980 (that's $98 per coupon). www.skimonarch.com

POWDERHORN:
If you haven't taken advantage of the Powderhorn Plus Card, make sure to get yours now. $25 gets you $7 off lift tickets all season long, your 5th day of skiing for free and free skiing during the last week of the season. Check out their Holiday Turkey Dinner at Wildewood Restaurant from 11 am to 7:30 pm on December 24 -25 ... just $8.95 for adults and $4.95 for kids under 10. www.powderhorn.com

SKI COOPER:
Want some backcountry skiing at an affordable price? Check out Ski Cooper's Chicago Ridge Snowcat Tours... an all day package including skiing from 9 am to 3:30 pm (including lunch) runs just $234 and gets you powder turns all day long. www.skicooper.com

SOLVISTA:
Try their 1-2-FREE special... buy two nights of lodging and 2 days of lift tickets and get the thrid day and night for free. And here's yet another beginner's special... check out their "Get On The Snow" package... $99 gets you a lift ticket, full-day lesson and rentals for two days AND free skiing for the rest of the season. www.solvista.com

STEAMBOAT:
Steamboat has received more than 10 feet of snow so far this season, and more is on the way as we said earlier. Check out their website for lodging specials that could save you as much as 15% ... www.steamboat.com

SUNLIGHT:
Looking for a different experience? Try a half-day Snowmobile tour at Sunlight for just $120 (Single rider) or $180 (double rider). And kids 4-13 ride for free with a paying adult. www.sunlightmtn.com

TELLURIDE:
The Bear Creek Inn has reduced its nightly rates for the holidays, with rooms as low as $149 (3 night minimum over New Years). Or get up to 50% off rooms at the Franz Klammer Lodge ... just click on "Hot Deals" at www.tellurideskiresort.com

VAIL RESORTS-
Beaver Creek Breckenridge Keystone Vail Get three nights at Chateau Vail and two days of skiing during the holidays from $474 per person. Or, purchase Vail's Perfect 10 and get 10 days of skiing or riding at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Heavenly (in California) for just $349 per adult or $199 for kids 5-12. The only restriction is that you have to use your first day before January 31 or the entire 10-pack becomes void. Also check out Vail's online lift ticket discounts to save money on multiple-day lift tickets. www.snow.com

WOLF CREEK:
Santa will be visiting Wolf Creek on December 24 and 25, so make sure to drop by and say hello! They are 100% open for the season with all lifts running. Wolf Creek decided not to increase its lift ticket rates this season, which means that you can ski for just $43 for adults throughout the entire season (including the holidays!) www.wolfcreekski.com

WINTER PARK:
Stay at the Winter Park Mountain Lodge for just $100 per person, per night during December 26 - January 3 (or just $64 from now until December 25). Save 10 to 15 percent off regular rates when you book your ski or board rentals online ahead of time on their website. www.skiwinterpark.com

Well, that's it for this week, so get out there!

Robert Drueckhammer
for Sliding On The Cheap
www.slidingonthecheap.com