Hello Sliders,

Well the storms of last week brought some fresh snow to our Southern California resorts and the skiing/riding is great!  And...winter is not over yet - more snow is headed our way this week.  So now is the time to pick up a season pass for next season because many resorts let you use them beginning this season.  This offer applies at Mammoth, June and the Big Bear Mountain Resorts.  Your hot tip this week is that you can add-on extras like mountain biking, golf and cross country skiing to the Mammoth/June season pass!  So what are you waiting for?  Get up to your favorite hill for these deals......   

Mammoth - Great Season Pass Add-ons!!

Mammoth is offering a great deal on next year's season pass - $399 for adults, $299 ages 13-18, $199 ages 7-12 & 65 and over - that's a 75% discount from the regular season pass rate!!!!! These passes are only available from 4/1/03 to 5/31/03 and it's good this season beginning 5/31/03 to season end, in the summer you can ride the gondola and you can ski/ride at June Mountain as well. For $130 each, you can add-on season passes to mountain bike, golf or cross country ski!!  Mammoth has a 7-9' base and more snow is expected this week and only partly cloudy skies for the weekend. Stay and Ski packages start 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. Only need the lifts?  Regular adult tickets are $57 midweek and $60 on weekends but multi-day ticket packages will save you some money. Multi-day tickets range in price depending on the number of days and which days you ride - check 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.  Visit the Western J 1/2 Junior Olympics from March 17-24 and try the on-snow Demos from March 20-24 at Stump Alley.  www.mammothmountain.com

June Mountain - Freshies!!

The Mammoth Season Pass deal is good for June Mountain so get that pass! June has a 4-5' base and expects snow this week and a partly cloudy weekend.  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.  June closes April 20th. www.junemountain.com

Big Bear Mountain Resorts - Screamin' Deal Season Pass

Get your season pass for next season now and start using it beginning 3/10/03. The Screamin' deal season pass is also good for summer mountain biking but it will only be sold until June 1st - prices range so visit the website.  Prices start at adult dual mountain anytime for $549 and ages 13-22 for $449, or the one mountain adult anytime, non-holiday passes are $299 and ages 13-22 are $249.  Both Bear and Summit have an 18-30" base with some trace snow expected this week and ability to make snow all week.  If you need a lube before you head out to the mountains 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. March 15th will be Summit's final night session.  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:

in2title [at] earthlink.net

suzi_barry [at] hotmail.com

Nathan_Colgrove [at] yahoo.com

dawhaley [at] yahoo.com

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 this week and partly cloudy this weekend. Other Southern California resorts may get trace snow this week and should make snow all week.  www.weather.com

Mountain High - No Mountain Roads

Mt. High is close to L.A. and there's not a winding mountain road in sight!!  Their $59 Quad ticket saves you 40% on four fully transferable night tickets but starting 3/31/03, these tickets can be used for day skiing/riding - that's a 60% savings on day tickets - this offer is only available at select stores and they are only until 3/21/03 (see the website for details). They have a 12" base and received some snow this past week and will make snow this week.  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. 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. 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). 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. Visit happy hour at the Bullwheel Bar& Grill for the Pyramid Ale promotion from March 20-23.  www.mthigh.com

Snow Valley - New Snow!!

Snow Valley got 6-14" of the white stuff out of the last storm and they have an 8-20" base. They expect some trace snow this week.  They have reopened the Schighridj terrian park!!  Win free tickets each month and enter for a chance to win a trip to Jamiaca at their website!  Don't forget 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.  www.snow-valley.com

XTC Tours

XTC's last Mammoth trip is 4/18-20/03 and you can sign up now! The ride up will feature giveaways and refreshments and the Saturday night dinner will include lasagne, beer and wine! If you reserve your spot by 3/15/03, prices are $293 with 2 lifts or $185 without lifts. After 3/15/03, the prices are $308 with lifts and $200 without. 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

Sierra Pet Time - Doggie Sitters

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 - only $25/day and they pickup and drop off at your hotel.

Yvette

Southern California Editor SOTC