Yahoo Sliders,

It's snowing big time and you should be aching to get up to your favorite resort. El Nino is here and the Sierra resorts have been dumped upon with more on the way!! It's so good at Mammoth that I may even have to take a few days off my day job to hit the uncrowded midweek slopes - are you heading up? More resorts are opening this week so head on out and catch these deals (and don't forget your holiday gifts - lots of ideas here)......

Mammoth - Snow, Snow, Snow
Mammoth is gearing up for the holidays and I guess they ordered snow 'cause it's falling like crazy up there -up to 6 feet is expected by this weekend!! And it appears a white Christmas is on tap as more snow is expected through the holidays. They have a 4-5' base and counting. Stay and Ski packages are available through December 19th so take advantage -$70 per person per day slopeside at Mammoth Mountain Inn or from as low as $105 at Juniper Springs Lodge, Sunstone and Eagle Run. Tamarack Lodge and Resort start from only $75. Your stay includes a lift ticket for each person, each day - two nights minimum stay and minimum two per room (extra guests can be added at a discounted price).

Call 800-Mammoth or visit the website.Multi-day ticket packages range in price depending on the number of days and which days you ride - packages over weekends and holidays are most expensive but midweek days can save you some money - a 2 day pass for a holiday weekend runs $120 but 2 days midweek is only $103. Regular adult weekend lifts are $60 and midweeks are $57. There are many variables on ticketing so check their regularly updated website for the latest. www.mammothmountain.com

June Mountain - Boarders Paradise!
June is open and with a bang - lots of white stuff. Boarders should check the JM2 Unbound project - they've spent big money getting you lots of great features! Season passes are now $500. All day adult tickets are $47, ages 19-23 are $42, teens 13-18 are $37 and children and seniors are $27. June is only 20 minutes north of Mammoth so hit both resorts this weekend. Call Boulder Lodge for their $52 and up room rates - (800) 4JUNELK www.junemountain.com

Bear Mountain Resorts - Night Riding at Summit
One pass gets you both Bear Mountain and Snow Summit since they've combined. With the holidays, they will open Summit as night starting 12/20/02 to1/4/03. They have12-24" andare expecting more snow this week. They plan on having mostruns open for this holiday season. Ticket prices - $50 for adults, kids 7-12 are$21 for the holiday period (12/21/02 to 1/5/03). Since they are typically busy this time of year, I would reserve tickets prior to driving up - go to their website. Also check their website for season pass info. - some passes are already sold out but deals are still available. If you can only ski half day, hit the slopes in the morning and turn in your ticket by 1pm - they'll give you a voucher worth $14 to $17 so you can return anotherday. Bring yourI.D. to ride free on your birthday. Law enforcement and fire personnel can show their badge for a discount on the 17th and 18th!! www.bigbearmountainresorts.com

Weather.com Link All the Sliding on the Cheap regional newsletters can be accessed through our link at Weather.com. You can get up-to-date weather conditions and forecasts for all ski resorts plus so much more - check it out! Snow is expected much of this week and next - be prepared take chains and provisions!!! www.weather.com.

Mountain High - Freshies
Mountain High has 12-16" and expects 2' more this week. Rates are - $35 for 8-hour, $30 for 4-hour and $25 for night skiing/riding. They offer the Quad Discount - $59 for night & late season riding and you get four fully transferable night passes - this offer is only available at select stores and not at the resort so see the website for details. They stilloffer the 6-pack for $149 and the 3-peat for $99. If you hate lines, get the $59 Swatch watch that can be programmed with your prepaid lift program allowing you to go straight to the lifts. Season passes are only $299 for adults and $99 for kids!! www.mthigh.com.

Ski Sunrise - Remodeling
Sunrise won't open until January 2003 because of a massive renovation. However, they offer a $75 season pass. If you hate crowds and don't mind a smaller resort, this is a nice little place and it's just across the way from Mountain High. They have beautiful tree-lined runs and views of the Antelope Valley. www.skisunrise.com

Mt. Baldy - Challenging Terrain

With all the forecasted snow, I wouldn't be surprised to see Mt. Baldy open soon! Their $199 season pass is a good deal. www.mtbaldy.com

XTC Tours

This Company offers tour packages to Bear and Mammoth and if you get a group of 15 or more on one of their tours, you ski/ride free!! Mammoth trips include roundtrip bus, condos with spa, saunas, fireplaces, lift tickets, deli meal en route, transfers to the mountain each day and a guide - all for $293 and up. The Bear day trips include bus ride, lift ticket, and a beverage and movie on the way home. Trips leave from San Diego, Orange and L.A. www.xtctours.com

Yvette
Southern California Editor SOTC