Hello Sliders,

The continuous storms let up this past week and temperatures warmed but the snow is still pretty good up in Mammoth - I skied there last week an it was great! Change is on the way as storms will again hit Mammoth with a chance for snow at the rest of the Southern California resorts expected for the balance of this week. So what are you waiting for? Grab your gear and head up there for these deals.....

Mammoth - Deals & Snow Galore
Mammoth was a little warm last week but snow is expected Wednesday evening through the weekend - bring chains! They boast a 7-9' base already and the whole mountain is open. This month take advantage of "January Midweek Madness" - Lift tickets are $45 (that's a $12 savings over regular midweek prices!), rentals are $20 and up and Bud Lights are $1.50 (lift and rentals require advance purchase by calling (800) Mammoth). They'll also 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 for a season pass!!! Need lodging? Try the Stay and Ski packages - limited availability so call for details - deals start at $70 per person per day (or $49.50 during value season in April!) slope side at Mammoth Mountain Inn, Juniper Springs Lodge, Sunstone, Eagle Run and Tamarack Lodge and Resort. Stays include 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. www.mammothmountain.com

June Mountain - Cheap Tickets!
June is ready for snow this week and has a 4-6' base. You boarders have got to ride in the JM2 Unbound project - they spent huge dollars for tons of new features! 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

Heavenly Weekend for $149!

$149 Heavenly Lakeside Package This Weekend Only!
It's going to be Friday, Saturday and Sunday: January 10th, 11th and 12th. Stay two nights at the Lakeside Inn and Casino, located in South Lake Tahoe. Friday night, January 10th and Saturday night, January 11th and receive two free breakfasts as well! Ski or Ride HEAVENLY on Saturday and Sunday. If we have a large enough turnout, we will host a get together at the California Bar at Heavenly, Saturday afternoon. All for just $149 per person double occupancy, taxes included! That's TWO nights lodging, TWO days skiing or riding and TWO breakfasts for $149 --the entire weekend. Call 800-624-7980 for reservations.

Big Bear Mountain Resorts - 53 Runs Open/171 Jibs
and Terrain Features Even though the holidays are over, I would still make lift reservations - they do limit sales to keep the crowds at bay - (909) 866-5841. Tickets are adults $43, ages 13-19 are $35 and 7-12 yr.olds are $14 - interchangeable at Bear or Summit through Friday and shuttle service between resorts is available. 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. Check out the Jeep King of the Hill competition on Jan. 11th. Celebrate their 50th Anniversary on Jan. 24th when ticket prices will be rolled back to $19.52!!!! (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! Snow expected in Mammoth by Wednesday with the balance of Southern California resorts only having a chance for trace snowfall but capability 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 - $33 at Ralphs!!
Mountain High has a 12-24" base but they should be making snow with a trace of natural snow expected this week. Rates are - $35 for 8-hour, $30 for 4-hour and $25 for night skiing/riding. Or, head over to Ralph's and get Your ticket for $33 with the Ralph's Club card (beginners can change this to a beginner package ticket for $12 at the resort) - good January 8th to March 18th!! Pickup a $29 Mountain Access Card if you plan to ski/ride alot here - you get $10 off 8-hour tickets, $5 off night tickets, a free 8-hour ticket after every 5 visits, hands free lift access, guaranteed admittance during sellouts, 10% off non-sale retail items and lessons. They also 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. The 3-peat for $99 is the way to go for you first timers - you get 3 complete lessons, rentals and lower mountain lift packages with lesson levels progressively increased, plus a free 8-hour lift ticket and a membership to the Mountain Access Club. 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. Catch the $25,000 Kawasaki Triple Air on Saturday - Amatuers and Pros enter if you dare (see website for details) www.mthigh.com.

Ski Sunrise - Views and Trees
They will only open Friday through Sunday this week!! Sunrise tickets 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. Sunrise has beautiful 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 - Easy Mountian Access
Snow Valley has an 6-15" base. Reserve your tickets ahead of time and try the Two-for-one Tuesday!! Regular rates are $39 adults (13-64), Seniors (65-69) $19, kids (6-12) $13 and free if you're 5 and under of 70+. Season passes are $469 for adults. Check out the Valley Values - a $43 package that gets you a midweek learning deal - regular price for the 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 month at their website! And, ride free on your birthday with I.D. www.snow-valley.com

Mt. Baldy - Great Terrain and Views
Baldy open 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/ride 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 off lessons - see the website for details! Need to learn to ski/ride? Try the Learn to Ski for $45 adult and $30 kids - comes with lift, lesson and rentals. Or, the Learn to Snowboard for $55 adults and $35 for kids - includes lift, lesson and rentals. www.mtbaldy.com

XTC Tours
XTC 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