Happy MLK weekend Sliders,

Are you a fair weather skier/rider? Well then this week is for you - it's gonna be a bluebird week so grab your sunglasses and sunscreen and let's tan on the slopes - nice way to spend your long Martin Luther King weekend! Snow is still great at Mammoth and June with the balance of our resorts making snow when they can. So who turned El Nino off? Until he returns, let's have some fun while working our our winter tans - they'll be jealous at work or school!! This week some of our resorts are eager to get you up to there snow and will honor season passes from other Southern California resorts and others are planning reduced midweek rates and parties so hit the slopes with these deals.......

Mammoth - Super Duper Pipe is Open!!
Mammoth received some natural snow this past weekend and clear skies are expected this week! They have a 7-9' base.  "January Midweek Madness" continues with lift tickets only
$45 (that's a $12 savings over regular midweek prices!), rentals are $20 and up and Bud Lights are $1.50 - lift tickets and rentals require advance purchase by calling (800) Mammoth. You'll find apres ski fun on Tuesdays at Yodler Pub, Wednesdays in Grizzly Bar at Canyon Lodge and Thursdays in 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!!! Speaking of season passes, if you have one, swipe yours at selected chairs midweek, non-holidays for a chance to win a Ford Escape XLT with sport Package!!! For 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. If you can get here on Wednesday, dress 80's style for a chance to win a season pass!! If you're thinking of getting new gear, head over to Mammoth's demo shops and you can try as many boots, skis and boards as you like during your rental period and then you'll get a discount if you purchase gear in the Mammoth Sport Shops - see the website for what is available to demo. www.mammothmountain.com

June Mountain - Lots of Snow!
After getting a few inches of fresh stuff this past week, June has a 4-6' base and blue skies in the forecast. This resort has spectacular views of Yosemite peaks and Mono Craters not to mention many snowboarder features and cruiser blues plus challenging terrain for you hardcore junkies - and only 20 minutes from Mammoth!!! 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. The American Snowboard Tour will hit the June slopes next week so stop by and watch these future stars while you're here. Call Boulder Lodge for their $52 and up room rates - (800) 4JUNELK g www.junemountain.com

Big Bear Mountain Resorts - Free with Other's Season Pass
If you have a season pass from another Southern California resort, take a free ride at the Big Bear Mountain resorts for a change of scenery! This offer is good January 13th through the 16th. Since this is Martin Luther King weekend, make lift reservations if you plan to ski/ride here as they do limit sales to keep the crowds down for your enjoyment - (909) 866-5841. Regular tickets for adults are $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. Celebrate their 50th Anniversary on Jan. 24th when ticket prices will be rolled back to $19.52 (ticket reservations required for this deal - visit the website!!!! (For lodging discounts, print the coupons at www.bigbearinfo.com) www.bigbearmountainresorts.com

Free Tickets for Subscribers!!

Subscribe to any one of the "Sliding on the Cheap" newsletters and get a chance to win free tickets. This weeks winners are:

 thatkoolguy [at] yahoo.com
 Rbramfam6 [at] aol.com

Winners should email slidecheap [at] aol.com within seven days to get claim one ticket to Mammoth!

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! Clear skies at all resorts and some opportunity to make snow this week. 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 - Close to L.A.
Mountain High has a 12-24" base and they'll make snow when they can. Rates are $43 for 8-hour, $39 for 4-hour and $25 for night skiing/riding. Since it could be crowded this weekend, make a reservation at (888) 754-7878 or preactivate your Express Pass to ensure you can ski/ride. Express Passes are free with your first lift ticket purchase and it will get you $4 off adult tickets and $3 off children's tickets, no ticket lines when preactivated, hands free access and guaranteed reservations - see the website for details. Ralph's Supermarkets is once again offerinig a 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 - visit a Ralph's near you!! Or, a $29 Mountain Access Card will get you $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 - this deal is great if you plan to ski/ride here alot but you must have a credit card to take advantage. 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 now $499 for adults and $199 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 SPY Optics Dealer Appreciation Day on the 14th, the Corona Promo at Bullwheel on the 15th, USASA BoarderCross 4 and the Atomic SkierCross Series on the 17th along with the 91x live radio broadcast. www.mthigh.com.

Ski Sunrise - May not Open
With the warm temperatures and no snow forecast, call to make sure they will be open this weekend - (760)249-6150. 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 - Lots to do Here!
Snow Valley has a 4-12" base and spring conditions. If you want to do something different while you're in the area, visit the Snowplay area - $17 gets you a sled rental ($12 without a sled) and kids 5 and under are free with a paid adult. For skiing and riding, 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 $47 package that gets you a midweek learning deal (except holidays) - regular price for the Learn to ski/ride packages are $59 - you get lower mountain lift ticket, 1.5 hour lesson and rentals. Or, check out the Family Pack for $79 good midweek - you get 2 adult and 2 kids tickets but you must order online 48 hours in advance! Enter to win free tickets each month and also get a chance to win a trip for two to Jamaica at their website! And, ride free on your birthday with I.D. www.snow-valley.com

Mt. Baldy - Great Terrain and Views
Baldy has been open with limited terrain but you should call before travelling here this week since they haven't had any new snow and the weather has been warm. 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