Happy Thanksgiving Sliders!

So you ate too much turkey. The stuffing stuffed you. The pumpkin pie expanded your waist line. How could you do this, you ask yourself, especially with last years resolution to lose weight! Its all gone the drain.

Well, I've got a quick fix diet that works for any slider. Get up early, put on your best winter gear, grab your skis or board and gear, and head to your local hill. There's no better way to burn off those extra calories then to ski for a day or five. Ah hell, a whole year will do; I'm sure your boss will understand-- health comes first!

The snow is great right now sliders and there is no reason to be missing out, especially when many of the resorts have finally opened. And if you want to save some money then read on because I've got the deals you need and want!

But first, some weather…

What better way to celebrate Thanksgiving then to get out and ride to your hearts content. Well, how about some sunshine added into the equation! This weekend will bring lots of it, but watch out come Sunday as snow is heading in. Temperatures will range in the high 30's and will drop down to the low 20's. That makes for some perfect sliding conditions!

The SOTC Skinny Okay, after sorting through all the information, we at SOTC know what to expect in Colorado for the coming week, and there's a lot to get through. I'm talking about ticket deals, various group and student discounts, holiday promotions, tons of special offers, and a whole bunch more!

But what, you say you're not a subscriber? Dude, what's up with that?! That's definitely not kosher! Without a subscription you won't know about some of the sweetest deals around. So why not give yourself a gift this holiday season and sign up here: www.slidingonthecheap.com

Oh yeah, and while you're checking out the site, you might want to check out our other regional newsletters. It just might help you plan that extra special sliding vacation, and heck, it really is a fun read. So head on over, its just a hop, skip and jump away!

Okay sliders, grab your boards and skis and get ready, this will be a bumpy ride...

The Gold Pass:

What's your idea of a perfect Colorado winter? Maybe it involves snow falling early and frequently, beautiful blue skies, and finally, an exclusive transferable season pass to 24 of Colorado's premier winter resorts. To reserve your Colorado Ski Country USA Gold Pass Membership, please contact Joshua Littrell at 303-866-9702 or via email at jlittrell [at] coloradoski.com.

Arapahoe Basin

Like A-Basin, but wanna slide Keystone or Breckenridge too? Have I got a deal for you. Get your 2004/2005 Arapahoe Basin Bonus Pass for only $229. Bonus Pass includes unlimited skiing or riding at A-Basin for the 04/05 ski season plus 5 ski days valid at Keystone or Breckenridge. One ski day can be used at Vail or Beaver Creek. Call 888-ARAPAHOE ext. 2 or visit www.arapahoebasin.com

If you just want to slide A-basin, then don't pass up their awesome season pass deal. For only $179 the pass includes unlimited skiing or riding at A-Basin for the 2004/2005 ski season. Call 888-ARAPAHOE ext. 2 or visit www.arapahoebasin.com

$10 Beginner Lift Tickets. Beginners ski for $10 at the Molly Hogan learning center!

Kids Ski Free. Are you 6-14, or do you have children that age, well they ski free at A-Basin! Receive one free child lift ticket with every full price adult lift ticket purchased.

Learn to Ski or Snowboard!! For just $200 you get: 4-2 hour lessons, recreational rentals for the day, and a 2004-2005 Arapahoe Basin Season Pass. How cool is that!

Beaver Creek

Vail Resorts has teamed up with both American Airlines and United Airlines to offer unbeatable savings on a winter vacation for families with children under 12. Kids between the ages of 2 and 12 are eligible for a free companion ticket on American and United Airlines when accompanied by a paying adult. More information can be found at http://beavercreek.snow.com/

Lift, Lessons and Lodging

Make the most of your time in Beaver Creek with a world renowned ski instructor and lodging that will make you want to stay forever. $460 per adult includes four nights of lodging plus 3 consecutive days of beginner, intermediate or advanced lessons with a lift ticket for all three days. Featured rate is valid from November 20 - December 19 and January 6 - February 16. $460 per adult - only available for ages 15 and above. Head to http://beavercreek.snow.com/ for more info!

Breckenridge

November 27, 2004 - December 9, 2004 Beaver Run Resort is offering a $81 per night for ski-in/ski-out lodging in a hotel room at a full service resort. After a day on the slopes you can relax in one of 8 hot tubs, 2 pools, steam or sauna room, then take a shuttle downtown to enjoy the shopping and nightlife in Breckenridge. Call 1-800-265-3560 or visit www.beaverrun.com Terms/Conditions: Based on hotel room. Rate is valid Sunday through Thursday only. Add $15 per night for Friday or Saturday. Some restrictions apply.

Copper Mountain

Ever said, gee, I wish I could ski for only $27 a day? Online lift ticket deals are back for the 2004-2005 season. It'll only cost you a pressing $27 when you buy your multi-day tickets online. Four days are just $108 for early season. Simply logon to www.coppercolorado.com and click on Tickets.

Crested Butte

Thinking of taking a nice little Thanksgiving holiday skication? Head over to Crested Butte cause they got some mad deals going down. For only $125 per person you get two nights & two days of skiing. Travel can between November 20-December 1, so you got time. Wanna get in on this deal, simply call 800-810-7669 and ask for the Thanksgiving Turns Package to receive this discount. http://www.skicb.com

Durango Mountain

Getting off to the right start is important in any sport, and DMR is renowned for its excellent learning terrain and professional ski & snowboard school. Stay 3 nights mountainside and get 2 ski or board lessons, as well as 3 days of rental equipment and 3 days lift tickets for just $299 per person. Based on double occupancy, some holidays restricted. Please call 800-982-6102 or visit www.durangomountainresort.com

Get that Adrenaline Rush NOW!

Get deep into the San Juan's with the Adrenaline Adventure--ski/ride a day at DMR in some of the most beautiful terrain in the Rockies, spend a day with the San Juan Ski Company on a snow cat 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 or spend a day ice climbing with Animas City Rock. Feel the adrenaline for three days and three nights for just $449. Please call 800-982-6102 or visit www.durangomountainresort.com

Loveland

Want to learn to ski or ride? How does a free season pass sound? If you like the idea then make sure to take advantage of Loveland's 3 Class Pass programs. Loveland's awesome ski school staff will help you get started, they can also help improve your skiing or snowboarding skills. As a reward for learning how to ski or ride you will receive a FREE season pass for beginners or $100 season pass for intermediates after the completion of three lesson packages. For more information or any questions contact Loveland Ski School at skischool [at] skiloveland.com or call 303-571-5580 x170. http://www.skiloveland.com

SkiCooper

SkiCooper has an awesome deal for anyone over the age of 11. Right now you can learn to ski and get everything you would ever need, to ski at least, for the low price of $40. The ski package includes a two hour group lesson, ski rental and finally a beginner lift ticket. Ski classes begin at various times throughout the morning for your convenience. http://www.skicooper.com

Sol Vista

Buy 2 days/nights of lift tickets and lodging & get the 3rd day/night free!! Call 866-SOLVISTA for details or see our web site at solvista.com.

Steamboat

Steamboat SnowSaver Packages allow you to get the most out of your Steamboat vacation (lodging/lift) while getting the most for your money. These packages include four night motel accommodations and a three-day lift ticket or six night condo accommodations and five-day lift ticket during certain time periods of the season. Visit www.steamboat.com/snowsaver or call toll-free 877-237-2628 for more information on SnowSaver Packages.

First Track Snowsaver: Nov. 25 - Dec. 19, 2004 As low as $263* - 4 Night/3 Day Hotel Package As low as $444** - 6 Night/5 Day Condo Package

White Sale Snowsaver: Jan. 4 - Feb. 16, 2005 As low as $271* - 4 Night/3 Day Hotel Package As low as $515** - 6 Night/5 Day Condo Package

Spring Saver: Feb. 23 - April 2, 2005 As low as $281* - 4 Night/3 Day Hotel Package As low as $479** - 6 Night/5 Day Condo Package

Last Chance Snowsaver: April 3 - 10, 2005 As low as $263* - 4 Night/3 Day Hotel Package As low as $434** - 6 Night/5 Day Condo Package

Winter Park

You can't go wrong with Winter Park Resort's Lodging and Lifts Free 4 All- Buy three nights of lodging and three days of lift tickets and receive a fourth night and fourth lift ticket, free! This $332 package is per person, based on four people in a two bedroom condo. Even better news is that this package is offered all season long (Nov. 17, 2004-April 17, 2005)! To book this packages or to create an individualized itinerary, call Winter Park Central Reservations at 800-729-5813 for complete trip organization and the answers to the dozens of questions that help assure a hassle-free, dream vacation. http://www.winterparkresort.com

Rentskis.com

How does saving money on rentals sound? Well www.rentskis.com has a great offer to you, the readers of SOTC! RESERVE SKI/SNOWBOARD RENTALS ONLINE & SAVE! 10% off for any ski or snowboard rental during regular season or 20% off during value season. Visit www.rentskis.com

Wanted: New and Hot Deals! Here at SOTC the search never ends! We stay up night and day looking for the ultimate in deals and steals. So here's the deal, you send it, we post it! Think of it as a karma thing; its always a good thing to help your fellow Sliders!

So marketing managers, resort aficionados, and everyone else, send in Hot Deals and Events, cause we'll gladly post it for you. As the saying goes, if we don't know about it, we can't tell the Sliding Team, so send it already!

Need some extra info for your trip to Colorado? Don't know which resort to go to? Feel free to send in any questions! Rants, raves, suggestions, complaints, and inane comments are all welcome, just email me at: jellis1323 [at] yahoo.com

Thanks for reading, now go rip up that mountain, and until next week, have some fun in the snow!

Johanna
jellis1323 [at] yahoo.com

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