Happy New Year Sliders,

Conditions are great so start your New Year off with a trip to your favorite Southern California resort. Hmmmm, your resolution could be to ski/ride more! Hey - it fits in with your other resolution to loose weight and workout more. Mammoth is discounting midweek tickets like I have never seen before and I've found some great deals for you to try so get the details below....

Mammoth - Midweek Madness!!
Mammoth keeps getting snow and plans to run "January Midweek Madness" - Lift tickets are only $45 (that's a $12 savings over regular midweek prices!), rentals are $20 and up and Bud Lights are $1.50 - but you have to purchase 24 hours in advance (not the beer!) by calling (800) Mammoth. Plus they will have apres ski fun on Tuesdays a Yodler Pub, Wednesdays at Grizzly Bar at Canyon Lodge and Thursdays at Talons Bar at Little Eagle Lodge where you can get food and drink specials, rail contests, games and raffles or even a chance fora season pass!!! They have a 9-10' base. Stay and Ski packages are a good deal (limited availability so call for details) - $70 per person per day slope side 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. Check gear and clothing deals at Canyon Outlet and Wilderness Outfitters.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. www.mammothmountain.com

June Mountain - 6-8' of White Stuff!
June has great conditions and 6-8' of snow with more on the way! They have lots of great features at their JM2 Unbound project for youboarders ! Season passes are$500. All day adult tickets are $47, ages 19-23 are $42, teens 13-18 are $37 and children and seniors are $27. If you can spend more than one day, try the Multi-day passes - two day adults tickets are $85 and the deals get better with the more days you buy. June is only 20 minutes north of Mammoth so you can hit both mountains if you're in the area. Call Boulder Lodge for their $52 and up room rates - (800) 4JUNELK www.junemountain.com

Big Bear Mountain Resorts - Tickets Still Available
On sell out days, your ticket will not be interchangable so make ticket reservations to insure you can enjoy the mountain of your choice - (909) 866-5841. They will offer extended hours at both resorts and night riding at Summit through 1/4/03. Holiday rates are in effect until 1/5/03 - adults $50 and 7-12 yr.olds are $21.Bear and Summit have 12-36" bases. If you can only ski/ride half day, hit the slopes in the morning and turn your ticket in by 1pm -they'll give you a voucher worth $14 to $17 (depends on your original ticket price) to use another day. Ride free on your birthday with I.D. (For lodging discounts, print the coupons at 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! Only Mammoth has a chance for snowthis week butthe rest of the Southern California resorts will have ability to make snow. www.weather.com.

Adventure Ski & Snowboard School
Free Ski or Snowboard Lesson! Two people get their first beginner private lesson at the same time (on a revolving carpet) for the price on one. Valid weekdays until 2/15/03 when you mention Sliding on the Cheap when calling for an appointment. You must print and bring this offer when you go!! Call (760) 942-2188 to sign up. Know before you go! They offer a dynamic instruction program ideal for all ages and abilities. With it's warm, dry and wide revolving carpet, the Ski Machine simulates a day of continuous skiing/riding on the mountain without the distractions of cold, crowded slopes, chairlift lines or adverse weather conditions. The revolving carpet is perfect for developing efficient habits and skills and improving your physical strength and conditioning. A full-length mirror at the bottom of the slope lets you see while you learn and monitor your improvement. One lesson can accomplish as much or more than a full day of group lessons on the snow. Considering the cost of snow vacations, a lesson program on the revolving carpet is a wise investment! Adventure Ski and Snowboard School is located at 1105 S. Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA www.adventureski.com

Mountain High - Snowboarders Heaven!
Mountain High has a 12-36" base. 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 still offer (until 12/31/02) the 6-pack for $149 or $139 to reactivate an old ticket - good all season. The 3-peat for $99 is the way to go for you first timers. 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! Bring I.D. to ride free on your birthday. Police and Fire personnel can get a $7 discount on the 8 hour ticket with Work I.D. and photo I.D. www.mthigh.com.

Ski Sunrise - Views and Trees
Sunrisetickets are $25 midweek and $35 on weekends. They also offer a $75 season pass. This resort is less crowded and smaller than Mt. High (it's right across the road from Mt. High) but its a great place to beat the crowds and/or to learn to ski/ride. ISunrise hasbeautiful tree-lined runs and views of the Antelope Valley. They won't have food service this week so pack a lunch if you head up there. www.skisunrise.com

Snow Valley - EasyMountian Access
Snow Valley has an 18-30" base. Reserve your tickets ahead of time as they do get crowded. Holiday rates are in effect until Wednesday -$51 adults, Seniors (65-69) $26, kids (6-12) $18.Learn to ski/ride packages are $59 - you get lower mountain lift ticket, 1.5 hour lesson and rentals. They also have a Snowplay area for $17 including sled rental or $12 without sled. Kids 5 and under are free with paid adult. Enter to win free tickets each monthat their website! And, ride freeon your birthday with I.D. www.snow-valley.com

Mt. Baldy - Great Terrain and Views
Baldyopen with limited terrain. Tickets are $40 adult, $10 for kids 9 and under, $25 for 10-15 yr. olds, students are $30 (non-holiday weekdays) and $20 for 65 yrs. and up. Season passes are now $575 but the real deal is the $99 Club Card. You ski for only $10 per day and friends and family can ski half price, you can get 1/2 off the Learn to Ski or Board packages, 1/2 offon lessons - see the website for details! Need to learn toski/ride? Try the Learn to Ski for $45 adult and $30 kids -

comes with lift, lesson and rentals. Or, the Learn to Snowboardfor $55 adults and $35 for kids - includes lift, lesson and rentals. ww.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. XTC Tours also lists trips to other resorts - see the website. www.xtctours.com

Yvette
Southern California Editor SOTC