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“Sliding On The Cheap... Helping You Slide More for Less!”

F*REE Tickets, Hot Deals and Random Hot Tips, Because You Asked For It!

Northwest Sliding At It's Best.....

Are we having fun yet? Oh, yeah! One Powder Alert after another! The snowpack is close to normal levels, the roads are clear, there’s fresh snow almost everywhere, and this season is smokin’. The Sliders are happy, the resort managers are smiling, Ski Patrol has plenty to keep them busy, and the sports stores are selling gear and tuning equipment as fast as they can. Last season? Now but a distant memory, so let’s go Sliding On The Cheap! The SOTC Skinny:

What to expect here this week?

Lessons, lodging and packages, snowboard camps, avalanche clinics, cat skiing, and... hey, I’ve got to go, the lifts are starting...

First up, for you loyal subscribers, here are your F*REE lift tickets:

*THIS WEEK'S F*REE LIFT TICKET WINNERS!***

Here's how the Hot Deal with the F*ree Lift Tickets works: Subscribers are automatically entered for a random chance at winning a F*ree lift ticket right here, every week. The tickets are for The Summit at Snoqualmie, which includes the Alpental area! All you have to do is check in to see if you've won, just like these two:

bryantf [at] *********.com bigfluffy1 [at] ****.com

bryantf and bigfluffy1 will be sliding for F*REE at The Summit at Snoqualmie! Have fun!

Winners: To claim your ticket, send us your mailing address within the next seven days, at ggold142(at)comcast.net, be sure to mention that you're a Northwest Edition subscriber, and then watch your mailbox!

Not a subscriber? Yikes! That's just wrong! No subscription, no chance to win, so sign up here: http://www.slidingonthecheap.com Good luck!

While you're there, you'll want to check out our other regional newsletters... extra helpful if you're planning a sliding vacation in one of those areas, or just plain good reading anyhow.

Let's start with...

Ski F*ree With Shell

Ski F*REE when you fill up at participating Shell stations. Buy 10 gallons of gas and receive a ski free voucher for area ski resorts redeemable with purchase of adult lift ticket. Mondays: 49° North, Stevens Pass (night skiing), Lookout Pass, The Summit (day or night - 1/30/06-3/27/06) and Mt. Ashland. Tuesdays: White Pass, Schweitzer, Timberline (thru 3/31/06), Crystal (beginning 3/7/06) and Pomerelle. Wednesdays: Mt. Hood Meadows (night), Mt. Bachelor - day (2/1-5/23/06 - Blackout dates 2/22 & 3/29/06) and Pebble Creek. Thursdays: Silver Mountain, Hoodoo, Bluewood, Mt. Spokane (day or night), Lookout Pass, Mission Ridge, Stevens Pass (night) and Soldier Mountain. Fridays: Ski Anthony Lakes, Willamette Pass (twilight 12:30-9PM), Magic Mt, Brundage Mt, Loup Loup and Mt. Hood Skibowl. Saturdays: Mt. Hood Ski Bowl (Tube & Tow 4-9PM) Click here for a list of participating stations: http://www.skiwashington.com/2005_Participating_Station_List.xls

Washington

The Summit At Snoqualmie: Roxy Snowboard Camp For Girls

Jan. 21, Roxy hosts a snowboarding camp at The Summit.  Roxy’s snow camps are a unique snowboarding experience allowing participants to learn from top snowboard coaches while having fun riding with other girls.  Roxy Snow Camps cover all aspects of riding and the sessions are open to girls of all ages and abilities.  Participants receive a Roxy goodie bag and other Roxy products are raffled off during fun activities and contests throughout the camp session.  Beginner and intermediate ages 13 and above. Sign up at: http://www.summitatsnoqualmie.com/info/winter/roxycamp.asp

Crystal Mountain: Avalanche Beacon Practice Area Opens
  Hone your transceiver skills with the new Easy Searcher Practice system. Located at the Campbell Basin Lodge, the Easy Searcher has multiple "victims" and three levels of difficulty. The system is free and always open. Check with ski patrol for questions. http://www.skicrystal.com/

Stevens Pass: Avalanche Rescue Clinic

Backcountry Awareness 101 Saturday, January 14, 9am to Noon and Sunday, January 15, 9am to Noon.

The beauty of the Cascades is only eclipsed by the danger of unstable snow pack. Don’t make a poor choice and pay the price. This backcountry clinic will introduce aspiring hikers looking to earn their turns to route selection, trouble spots and transceiver use.

Participants should bring the following items to the clinic: snowboard or skis (gear to be outside for 3 hours or more), a shovel if you have one, backpack, water (you're going on a hike) and transceiver if you have one. Call Matt at 206-812-7344 to reserve your spot. Meet outside T-Bar Market at 9am ready to hit the hill. http://www.stevenspass.com/events/detail.aspx?id=77

Eastern Washington/ NE

Mt. Spokane: 5th Grade Passport

Unlimited f*ree lift tickets all year long to kids who have the Passport (it's not just a three-free-ticket deal): after their third visit, 5th graders may purchase a season pass for the rest of the season for just $25! Talk about convenience! http://www.mtspokane.com

Powder!

If you are subscribed, you're in the loop. Don't miss out on powder days, go right now to:

http://www.skiwashington.com/larry signup.htm

and sign up for Larry Schick's free Powderwatch email. Powder Alerts when you need them, right in your emailbox. When Larry says GO, you need to pay attention, he KNOWS!

Idaho (North)

Schweitzer: Cat Skiing and Snowmobile Tours

Using a Pisten Bully snowcat mounted with a custom built aluminum passenger cabin, Selkirk Powder Company offers snowcat skiing to smaller groups of just six skiers or boarders and up to six rides back up to the top. Warm and in-style. Lunch is provided, too!

Selkirk Powder Company takes reservations in-person at the Mountain Activity Center, located on the plaza level of the Selkirk Lodge in the heart of Schweitzer's Village. Or call toll-free 866-464-3246, or visit their website at www.SelkirkPowderCompany.com. 

Montana

Big Mountain: “Own a Night” Begins at Big Mountain Resort  

Big Mountain Resort begins its new “Own a Night” program on Jan. 7 to assist local nonprofit and charitable organizations in raising funds. Various local groups are selling night skiing tickets for a specific evening this winter to support their organization. Funds are raised by splitting the night skiing ticket retail rate with the resort.http://www.bigmtn.com/ In addition to the ski tickets, some groups are adding food and beverage specials or other incentives to the ticket. Tickets are available at Glacier Bank in Kalispell, Whitefish, and Columbia Falls the week before each date or at Snowghost Outfitters in Big Mountain Village the day of the event until 6 p.m. Special rates on rental equipment and Snowsports lessons are offered with 48 hours advance notice. For more information, please contact Rachel VandeVoort at 862-1952 or email rachelv [at] bigmtn.com.

Oregon (Portland Area)

Mt. Hood Meadows: Safeway Club Card Deals

Your Safeway Club Card is your ticket to great deals on the slopes: • $17 lift ticket Friday or Saturday night • Receive up to two 12 and under lift tickets when you purchase a Noon - 9 PM adult lift ticket Sunday at Mt. Hood Meadows. • Safeway Saturday Night at Cooper Spur Ski Area: Save $5.00 off of a night All Access Pass with your Safeway Club Card http://www.skihood.com

Timberline Lodge: Stay One Night, 2 Ski F*ree

Stay any week night (Sunday through Thursday, excluding holidays and receive two free all-day lift tickets to enjoy the snow. Need a quick get-away? This is the perfect chance to escape to the mountains for some fun and relaxation. http://www.timberlinelodge.com/

California (North...Way North)

Mt. Shasta: Take A Lesson From A Pro

It is really unfortunate how many people never get to learn and enjoy snow sports for a lifetime, because they were taught by friends or relatives. They dropped out of the sport before they even started only because they lacked the guidance of an experienced instructor who understands the comfort range of a beginner. Learn or improve your favorite snow sports in no time! Click here and select what kind of instruction you are looking for! http://www.skipark.com/learning.html

British Columbia, West

Whistler-Blackcomb: Learn To Ski or Ride Week January 14-22

During Learn to Ski/Ride Week, inexpensive lift/lesson/rental packages provide you with everything you'll need to become a skier or boarder. It's the best time to learn at the best place at the best price.

Whistler Blackcomb has a wide range of dedicated beginner features that make learning fun, with lots of beginner friendly terrain, even in the high alpine. Experienced pros guarantee non-intimidating good times while learning and will have you up and running in no time.

Learn to Ski/Ride Package >From $255 CAD ($209 USD) per person* 2 Nights Accommodation and 2 Learn to Ski/Ride Lessons with Lift Tickets & Rentals. Jan 16-22, 2006. Package only available by phone. Call Toll Free: 1.888.403.4727

Whistler Lodging: Reduced Rate Condo Special

$225 Cdn from Jan. 14th to Feb. 9th. This a Hot Deal... that's $37.50 per person for 6 people per night (+ gst) in a deluxe 2 bedroom two bath condo. •Short stroll to ski lifts, shops and restaurants •Quiet village location •Comfortably furnished •2 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms •Sleeps up to 6 •Shared hot tub and heated pool •Non-smoking •Free Secure underground parking •Brilliant mountain views •Personally equipped with little extras that make it feel like home... .. and my favorite, heated floors! Be sure to mention you saw it in SOTC NW! Photos, details at: http://www.whistlercondodirect.com/

Highway Delays? Check On HWY 99 Construction:

How will the Highway 99 Improvement Project affect your travel to Whistler? Find out before you go! See Whistler's highway info site for details, and use the schedule to help you plan ahead: http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/roadreport/index.asp

British Columbia, South/Central

Silver Star: January Lift and Lodging Special

Ski and stay from only $79 per person per day! A fantastic deal on a ski or snowboard vacation at Silver Star. This package is based on double occupancy and a minimum two night stay booked in standard or regular rooms at the Putnam Station Inn, Silver Lode Inn and Vance Creek Hotel. Some restrictions apply. Midweek only: Sunday to Thursday. Valid January 3 - February 9. Please quote 'AI' at time of booking. To make a booking please call Silver Star Holidays at 1-800-663-4431 or 250-558-6083. You can also e-mail your inquiries to info [at] skisilverstar.com. http://www.skisilverstar.com

Wanted: Hot Deals!

The search never ends! You send it, we post it! Help your fellow Sliders!

Marketing or Sales Managers, send along your Hot Deals and Events, we'll be glad to post it for you. If we don't know about it, we can't tell the Sliding Team, so send it in!

Rants, raves, suggestions, complaints are welcome, email us at: ggold142 [at] earthlink.net

Thanks for reading....don’t tell the boss, but I’m sending this from Whistler... major powder happening here too.. but not to worry, I’ll be back in plenty of time to chase down more great deals next week, see you then!

Greg Goldsmith
ggold142 [at] comcast.net Your Humble Editor, Chief Cook & Bottle Washer,
Chain Installer, Gravity Inspector
SOTC Pacific Northwest Edition

Subscribe, Unsubscribe (Yeah, like anyone would want to do that! : ] ), check out past issues (More Deals!), or review the other regional issues of Sliding On The Cheap at: http://www.slidingonthecheap.com