Hello Sliders,

Once again it is looking like a great tanning week at most of the Southern California resorts. New snow, however, is expected midweek at Mammoth and June. There are still great deals so grab your board/skis and head out to spring conditions in the middle of winter! I've found these deals for you this week......

Mammoth - Best Conditions!

Great news - Mammoth is expecting snow this week and they have a 7-9' base. You adventuresome types should sample the Super Duper Pipe - so big it can be seen from outer space!! "January Midweek Madness" continues with lift tickets only $45 (20% off 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. Check out 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!!! Don't forget to swipe your season pass
 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. Vans Triple Crown will be here January 23-26 - see some of the Olympic champs! Enter to win a season pass during National Safety Week - fill out entries by knowing the code. www.mammothmountain.com

June Mountain - Less Crowded Slopes

Snow on the way and a 3-5' base! See the 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 is here this week so stop
by and watch these future stars while you're here.  Call Boulder Lodge for their $52 and up room rates -
(800) 4JUNELKG www.junemountain.com

Big Bear Mountain Resorts - Two Mountains/One Price

The holidays are over and the slopes are less crowded so get up here and take advantage of both Bear and Summit for one price. Shuttles between the two mountains resume! Just to be sure, call for 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. 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: xxsmileychizakxx [at] aol.com raugale [at] juno.com Winners should email slidecheap [at] aol.com within seven days to 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 most Southern California resorts and some  opportunity to make snow this week.
Mammoth and June should get a few snow days midweek.  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 - Signup to Win Stuff

Visit their website and signup to win tickets and other great stuff!! Mountain High has a 12-24" base - making snow when weather permits.  Rates are $43 for 8-hour, $39 for 4-hour and $25 for night skiing/riding.
Uncertain about crowds and ticdket availability? 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 through March 18th - visit a Ralph's near you!! You can also try a $29 Mountain Access Card that 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 - a good deal if you plan to ski/ride here alot but you must have a credit card to take advantage. The $59 Quad Discount will get you four fully transferable night & late season tickets - 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 Arbor Snowboard Demo January 23rd-25th  and the Pyramid Ale Promo at Bullwheel. www.mthigh.com.

Ski Sunrise - Closed for Now

Since they haven't received snow for a while, they are closed until more storms hit. 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. www.skisunrise.com

Snow Valley - 2 for 1 Tuesdays!

Snow Valley has a 4-12" base and spring conditions. Not alot of white stuff but you could try something different - 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. Try 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. Locals ride for $27 on Fridays. www.snow-valley.com

Mt. Baldy - Great Terrain and Views

Baldy is open with 8-12" and limited terrain (only the beginner lift is open). 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