Hey Sliders,

Winter has finally arrived! There was fresh snow last week and more is in store for this week. So dust off the skis/board and get out to the white-topped mountains this week. Ladies, if you really want to take your skiing to the next level, hit Mammoth Mountain's Women's Ski week next week - details below. Have a doggie that you'd love to take with you but don't know where to leave him when you're on the slopes? Call Sierra Pet Time at (760) 934-0194 or visit their website www.mammothbrown [at] aol.com - only $25/day and they pickup and drop off at your hotel. There are still some great deals out there and you'll find them all here.... Mammoth - Powder Days

Ford will give you a free late season pass if you spend $50 at their service department! Mammoth has a 7-9' base and snow is expected all week. Sunday should be clear! If you need lodging and lifts, try the Stay and Ski packages -starting at $70 per person per day (or $49.50 during value season beginning April 22nd) at Mammoth Mountain Inn, Juniper Springs Lodge, Sunstone, Eagle Run and Tamarack Lodge and Resort - you get 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. If you only need the lifts, regular adult tickets are $57 midweek and $60 on weekends but multi-day ticket packages will save you some money. They range in price depending on the number of days and which days you ride - check the website for details. Check out Mammoth's Kiteboarding from 2/28-3/2/03. Women's Ski Week is March 3-5 and you have two choices - K2 Women's Alliance for $260 or the Rossignol Week for $330. Both offer similar packages - instruction, demos, videos, apres party, prescription for improvement and more - see the website for details. Motel 6 will give you a $15 discount if you call and ask for the "internet rate" - (800) 4motel6. If you have a Tahoe Card you can save $9 on your lift ticket - get the Tahoe Card at www.snowbomb.com. www.mammothmountain.com

June Mountain - Board the Fresh Stuff!

June Mountain is a boarders heaven with terrain features for beginners to advanced riders and less traversing and crowds! June has a 3-5' base and will get fresh snow nearly all week. All day adult tickets are $47, ages 19-23 are $42, teens 13-18 are $37 and children and seniors are $27. That Tahoe Card will save you $9 on your lift ticket here as well - get the Tahoe Card at www.snowbomb.com. Multi-day passes are a good deal - two day adults tickets are $85 and the savings get better with the more days you buy. Season passes are $500. Call Boulder Lodge for their $52 and up room rates - (800) 4JUNELKG www.junemountain.com

Big Bear Mountain Resorts - Snow, Snow, Snow!

Both Summit and Bear have a 12-24" base and expect over 1' with this week's storms. And if that wasn't enough to get you up there, they'll also have snowmaking ability well into next week!!!! Season pass holders from other Southern California resorts can ski here free on 2/24-28/03 - you must show that pass so bring it along. Or, if you still have an old lift ticket from a So. Cal. resort on your jacket or pants, you can get 50% off a ticket! Jiffy Lube will give you a free kids ticket with your lube and the purchase of an adult ticket - visit your nearest Jiffy Lube for details. Reservation are recomended 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. 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 http://www.bigbearinfo.com On March 1 & 2, they'll have the Chevy Truck Family Fest. 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:

jdog42 [at] hotmail.com

ewake [at] adexa.com

smittydhc [at] hotmail.com

b-jcallaghan [at] att.net

Winners should email slidecheap [at] aol.com within seven days to claim their prize!!

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! Mammoth and June - snow most of the week with Sunday clearing. Other Southern California resorts will get snow midweek and have snowmaking ability into next 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 3/15/03 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 - Snowjam 2003

Mt. High will have Snowjam on March 1st. They have a 12-18" base and lots of snow headed their way. With so many ticketing options and a short drive from L.A., what are you waiting for? Regular rates are $43 for 8-hour, $39 for 4-hour and $25 for night skiing/riding. Make a reservation at (888) 754-7878 or preactivate your Express Pass to ensure you can ski/ride - especially this week! 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 offer a $33 ticket 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!! The $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 (credit card required). The $59 Quad ticket (a 40% savings!!) will get you four fully transferable night & late season tickets - this offer is only available at select stores (see the website for details). Beginners can try the 3-peat for $99 - 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. Skip the lines with the $59 Swatch watch that can be programmed with your prepaid lift program allowing you to go straight to the lifts. 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. This week's events include the USASA Halfpipe 2 and the Pontiac Vibe Snowjam 2003 on March 1st and on March 1-2, Power Bar sampling at the East resort. www.mthigh.com

Snow Valley - Make Spring Break Plans

Snow Valley is taking spring break night party reservations for groups of 20 or more so gather up your friends and join the fun - reservations can be made by calling (909) 867-2751. Win free tickets each month and enter for a chance to win a trip to Jamiaca at their website! Snow Valley has a 4-10" base and will get fresh snow - at least 1' - in this week's storm. If you just want to play in the fresh white stuff, 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. Reserve your tickets ahead of time to be sure you can ski/ride. Try the 2 for1 on Tuesdays!! Regular rates are $40 adults (13-64), Seniors (65-69) $20, kids (6-12) $13 and free if you're 5 and under of 70+. Valley Values include a $47 package that gets you a midweek learning deal (except holidays) - regular price for the Learn to Ski/Ride packages are $63 - you get lower mountain lift ticket, 1.5 hour lesson and rentals. The Family Pack is a great deal at only $79 good midweek - you get 2 adult and 2 kids tickets but you must order online 48 hours in advance! Don't forget to ride free on your birthday with I.D. Locals ride for $27 on Fridays. They'll have Snowjam on March 2nd with samples, games, music and more!! www.snow-valley.com

XTC Tours
XTC has openings for Big Bear Resorts on 2/28 and the early booking rate is $62!!! 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