Sliding on the Cheap! 12/15 newsletter

Sliding on the Cheap! We're blowing out Helmets!, Storm Inbound For Christmas, Deals, Discounts, Free Tixs, More!

Hello Sliders!


*Our Wonderful Sponsor - Cal Neva!
Have you been to Cal Neva recently? It's one of the most affordable
but elegant hotels on the Northshore. Every room has a lake view.
Easy access to five ski resorts. Great ski and stay packages with
breakfast. Plenty of free/valet parking. Free live entertainment
in the Circle Bar Lounge Friday and Saturday nights. Apres Ski.
Tahoe transit has on-property stops. Package information and
reservations. We love the Cal Neva, so will you! 1 800 225 3682.

Want a special deal? Copy the entire ink below including the second
line (if it splits) and paste!
http://hit.namimedia.com/cgi-bin/hit?page=13573-113345848329234

*Christmas Deals You Ask?
Wow, it was just a couple of years ago, you'd look high and low for
deals during the holiday. This season, (if you've got SOTC) you
can simply scan down and find lots of great bargains.

*Sliding on the Cheap Weekend? Yes! $129.00!
Last chance to live on the wild side, sliders! Come up and ski/ride
with the crew this weekend. $129.00 gets you: Two nights at the
Tahoe Biltmore Hotel and Casino, two breakfasts each, two tickets
each to Alpine Meadows. This package is per person double occupancy,
no singles. This package is valid this Friday, Saturday and Sunday
ONLY! December 16th, 17th, 18th.

It's just $129.00 per person double occupancy, plus taxes and
surcharges. YOU MUST use code: SOC 12 when calling to book this
ski weekend. Call 1 800 BIL-TMOR and use code SOC 12.
http://www.tahoebiltmore.com

*A Dream Come True! Ski Free at Northstar/Sierra!
How would you like to ski FREE at Northstar or Sierra-at-Tahoe??
Help TelePacific and they can send you to the slopes! Click here
to find out more about the TelePacific Powder Program:
http://www.telepacific.com/ski

Over the holidays, one of the best way to save money is by purchasing
your lift ticket near home, either from a ski shop or resort
promotional tie-in partner. In order to guarantee your business
when you get to the mountains, some resorts offer discounts in
non-ski markets, encouraging you to purchase your tickets in advance.

Where do you find these pearls of cheap-ski information? Sliding
on the Cheap, of course. Scan down, dear sliders...or check the
website.

While some skiers will pour over the web in search of the best deal
there are several common sense ways to save money and time that
don't require a coupon, or a buddy working at the resort. Get to
the resort early! You've paid a king's ransom for a hotel, perhaps
even airfare, and yet you don't roll out of the hotel until 9 or
10 in the morning, only to find long rental lines and crowded slopes.

Plan to arrive an hour before lifts open. Enjoy breakfast, or a
cup of coffee while adjusting your gear, getting a trail map and
securing the kids into ski school. When the lifts open, be the
first one on the chair. You'll do more skiing in the first two
hours than the late birds will do the entire day. Groomed slopes
only stay perfect so long, especially on a holiday, so make sure
you're getting the most for that $60.00 lift ticket.

Eating at the resort kills your budget and consumes precious time.
Bring along a lunch and plan to eat early at 11am. At noon, when
the slopes empty, you'll get another golden hour, and at the end
of the day, you'll magically discover another $100.00 in your wallet.

Kids. Kids. Kids. Most Tahoe resorts cater toward families. Find
out who offers free or discounted kids tickets. Squaw Valley for
instance, a world class resort, offers kids 12 and under lift tickets
for just $5.00.

Other resorts, like Northstar, offer world class Children's programs,
half and full day that include lunch and snacks. Parent Share
tickets, so parents can trade off skiing and baby-sitting make it
much easier on young families. Alpine Meadows, already a bargain,
has such a ticket. Super Kids Bargain? Try Planet Kids at Soda
Springs!

Here are some quickies:
Purchase your tickets in 3,4,5 Paks
Buy a season pass, still available at Heavenly, Northstar/Sierra
and Sugar Bowl
If you're a beginner, a small mountain is all you need
and it's cheap!

Hot! Hot! Hot!

*Northstar and Sierra
Turn in your lift ticket and get FULL credit toward your Double
Whammy Pass. The Double Whammy is already a bargain, starting at
just $309.00. Right now, you can turn in your day ticket for FULL
VALUE against a Double Whammy. Think about it, ski or ride 5 days
this season, and you're sliding the balance freebie, thanks to
Julie and Donna.
http://www.northstar-at-tahoe.com

*Sierra-at-Tahoe
$199 Sierra Pass still valid. Better yet, turn in your all-day
lift ticket, (end of day, of course) and get FULL CREDIT toward a
$199 Sierra season pass...and that's not all! For a limited time,
you get a FREE Sierra--at-Tahoe, stained-glass ornament,
thanks to Nicole.
www.sierraattahoe.com

*Holiday Lessons a Bargain at Diamond Peak.
Take advantage of Diamond Peak's Family and Friends semi-private
lesson program, 2-5 people, similar ability you can learn for as
little as $18.00 if you take the early bird lessons. Find out why
Diamond Peak is your Tahoe place. Details: http://www.diamondpeak.com/

*The Tahoe Card... Don't leave for Tahoe without it!
Price goes up after Christmas!!!! One card currently costs $49.99
and if you buy two or more the cost is only $39.99 per card...

What you get:
One free lift ticket good at YOUR CHOICE of Kirkwood or Sugar Bowl,
plus tons of other deals and discounts. Bottom line, one use pays
for the Tahoe Card. Mention you heard about the card from SOTC by
putting SOTC in the "heard about" field during checkout and they
will include special bonuses:

- A free appetizer at Pyramid Alehouse. A $10 value with no requirement
to buy anything. (located in both Berkeley and Sac)
- A 2 for 1 lift ticket voucher to Diamond Peak
http://www.snowbomb.com/tahoecard

*Kirkwood Cross Country
Looking for a fun activity that the whole family can enjoy together?
Check out Kirkwood's first-class Cross Country and Snowshoe center,
where Debbie and her staff can set you up with cross-country skis
or snowshoes and a sled to tow the little ones behind you. Great
exercise and nobody gets left out.

*You've Won a Free Ticket to Northstar/Sierra!
Northstar: The-Best-Family-Resort-On-The-Planet Sierra-at-Tahoe and
Northstar-at-Tahoe Gift Cards Available Now! Purchase gift cards
directly from the resorts off their websites. They come in
denominations including: $25, $50, $75, $100, $150, $200, $250 and
$500! http://www.northstarattahoe.com and http://www.sierraattahoe.com.
You can always send a couple our way...

Let's go Sliding on the Cheap!

*Squaw Valley USA
Holiday Gift Certificates available at http://www.squawshop.com
You can slide Squaw free this winter if you're active Military.
For details, www.squaw.com
If you're sliding Squaw over the holidays,
make sure and purchase the Frequent Skier Card. Buy four days,
your fifth day is free. Also, kids 12 and under slide for just
$5.00. http://www.squaw.com.

*Alpine Meadows (holiday rates a bargain at $49.00!)
Open top to bottom with runs for the first time beginner
through double diamond expert. Cold temperatures
at night means fresh snow daily at Alpine.

Alpine Meadows is adding chairs and terrain daily. Subway will be
in operation by the holidays, which will complete the beginner area.
For beginners, also open: Meadow, Sunkid, Hot Wheels. Will open
Scott chair this weekend. Full terrain park off the kangaroo chair.
Stay for as low as $59.00 a night! Valid seven days a week!
http://www.skialpine.com

*Boreal
Open top to bottom, terrain park with features including: rails,
jibs, jumps, super pipe. Open 9am-9pm. Bargain holiday lift ticket
price of $38.00! Open for night skiing/riding from 3:30pm-9:00pm
seven days a week. $22.00 for night skiing! Boreal's sister resort,
Soda Springs will have Planet Kids open daily through the holiday.
Designed for Children 10 and under. Includes: Magic Carpet, Tubing,
sledding and miniature snowmobiles! http://www.rideboreal.com/

*Bear Valley
Coverage top to bottom with some of the best conditions in Northern
California. Locals are recommending: Grouse and The Face. Sliders
tell us the grooming is excellent.

Bear Valley is the first Northern California ski resort to offer
direct to lift holiday gift certificates. Purchase the lift ticket
from any participating retailer, and you can simply peel off the
backing, slam it onto a wicket and you're sliding. No waiting in
line. The best part dear sliders--- the tickets are discounted!
From $37 to $39 depending upon the retailer. For a list of retailers:
http://www.bearvalley.com

Purchase a discounted Bear Valley lift ticket from participating
Bay Area ski shops. Go to http://www.bearvalley.com for listings.

5-Paks are valid daily!
Get 5 unrestricted adult lift tickets for just $199.00. You can
use these during the holidays.

Learn-to-ski packages:
Group lesson 5-Pak. 5 lessons for just $154.00. You'll need to
have equipment and purchase lift pass.

3-Pak Save $68.00. You're getting three lesson packages for the
price of two.

For up to date weather forecasts, mountain cam and unbelievable
lodging specials visit http://www.bearvalley.com or contact the
main office at 209.753.2301

*Diamond Peak
Early Season Prices in effect until December 24th. Ski or Ride for
just $35.00 all day. Diamond Peak Ski Resort will open for the
2005/2006 ski season on December 15, 2005. Opening Day at Diamond
Peak is also Community Appreciation Day. Anyone who lives within
a fifty-mile radius of Diamond Peak can ski for only $15 all day!
Locals can present their picture ID at any ticket window for the
discount ticket. Diamond Peak hosts a variety of ways to ski and
ride the holiday cheap, if you just do a bit of preplanning.

Purchase the Costco 2-Pack $63.99 for two tickets. Valid during
Christmas holiday.

Purchase a Mini Pass, valid for 2,3,5 or 7 days. You can for as
low as $30.14 a day using the Mini Pass The Mini Pass is valid
daily, including holidays and is transferable.

Santa will visit Diamond Peak, on December 23rd and 24th. Giving
away free candy canes.

Learn to Ski/Ride Cheap!
Take advantage of Diamond Peak's Family and Friends semi-private
lesson program, 2-5 people, similar ability you can learn for as
little as $18.00.

Ski and Stay Package at Diamond Peak: From $59.00 per person
http://www.diamondpeak.com/ for more information.

*Heavenly
Open top to bottom, massive snowmaking. Locals report the skiing
and riding, excellent, especially at the higher elevations.

HEAVENLY TURNS 50!
It's been 50 years since Chris and Dottie Kuraisa purchased two
rope-tows and the Bijou Ski Run for $5,700 to open "Heavenly Valley."
Join Heavenly December 15-18 for an epic birthday bash including
rail jams, an explosive fireworks display, live music and DJs, the
Warren Miller Experience, parties both day and night, and plenty
more surprises! The only things "Over the Hill" about Heavenly
these days are the runs - all 91 to be exact. So grab your skis
or board, and get ready to party like it's 1955!
http://www.skiheavenly.com/ for schedule of events.

Give the Gift of Heavenly
There's no better gift than Lake Tahoe's largest winter playground.
Click here to buy a Heavenly gift certificate!
http://www.skiheavenly.com/tickets_rentals/gondola_lift_certs/

For the Sport on Your List
Check out great deals on hard and soft goods at Heavenly Sports!
http://www.heavenlysports.com/

Heavenly All Year Long!
That's right; there's still time to buy your Heavenly season pass
for only $319! http://www.skiheavenly.com/tickets_rentals/season_pass/
Pass Sale Ends December 16th!

Heavenly for the Holidays
Spend the holidays at Heavenly! Pre-Christmas, post-Christmas, and Ski
Free, Stay Free packages are available online! Starting at $226 per
person! http://reservations.snow.com/promo.mainmenu.asp?SiteID=9

*Homewood (Not open yet!)
December 15th, Ho-Ho-Homewood Day! Bring unwrapped toy with value
of $10.00 or more and you get a lift ticket for just $10.00. Still
have the $99.00 value pass sale going on. Valid Monday-Thursday,
non holiday.

Regular Ticket Prices:
Monday-Thursday: $27.00
Friday-Sunday: $45.00
Holiday Price: $48.00

Kids 10 and under ski free with purchase of adult ticket. Buy
consecutive day tickets, save $5.00. 530-525-2992
http://www.skihomewood.com

*Kirkwood
The-best-natural-snow-in-Tahoe. Locals recommend: Intermediate -
Timber Creek/Chair 7, Advanced/Expert - Chair 10 The Wall Ski/Ride,
top to bottom. Will be 100% open at Christmas. Find discounted
tickets at participating retailers. Take advantage of Kirkwood
exclusives: Expedition Camps and Clinics Junior Expedition Team
(3-day camp for kids) Dog Sled Rides Kids Disco

COSTCO 2-PAKS:
$94.99 Adult & $79.99 Junior. Save over 20% on adult and 18% on
Jr. tickets when purchasing 2-Paks at participating Costco stores.
Adult vouchers can be exchanged for a Learn To Ski package ages
13+. Costco 2-Paks are available in 22 locations throughout Northern
California and Nevada.

Learn to Ski/Ride Package: $69 Includes, Lifts, Lessons, Rentals
If you try it and love it--you can purchase an Adventure Pass for
$229.00. This gives you Season Pass, Unlimited lessons and rentals!

Stay and Ski Free package. Packages start as low as $64.50 per
person, double occupancy, and include accommodations and lift ticket.
Please call Kirkwood Vacations at (800) 967-7500 for more information.

Season passes are still on sale, starting at just $199. All paid
lift tickets can be turned in for full credit towards a season pass;
pass must be purchased same day.

Need More? Call the toll free snow phone at 877 KIRKWOOD. 1 800
967-7500. http://www.kirkwood.com

*Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe
Open top to bottom, find some of the best conditions in Lake Tahoe
at Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe, They have the highest base elevation of
any resort in Tahoe.

The Weekend Extender is valid during the holiday. Purchase three
consecutive lift tickets for the discount rate of $99.00 using the
Weekend extender. Valid for purchase on Friday and Saturdays.

Learn-to-ski/ride for just $49.00. Valid everyday, one of the best
learn-to-ski values in Tahoe.

Check the website at http://www.skirose.com. Are you planning a
holiday ski/snowboard vacation? Reno offers ski and stay from as
low as $59.00. A great way to enjoy a holiday ski vacation at
affordable rates. http://www.renolaketahoe.com and
http://www.skirose.com/

*Sierra-at-Tahoe
$199 Sierra Pass still valid. Better yet, turn in your all-day
lift ticket, (end of day, of course) and get FULL CREDIT toward a
$199 Sierra season pass...and that's not all! For a limited time,
you get a FREE Sierra--at-Tahoe, stained-glass ornament.

Valid all season long, unlimited excluding holidays, you can rent
or test, skis, boots, boards, poles all season long. Great for
kids who outgrow gear.

Want a cheaper rate than $50.00? Pick up a discount voucher at any
participating ski and board shop in the Bay Area, Sacramento and
Reno. Present this voucher and get a $41.00 lift ticket. For a
list of participating shops, check http://www.sierraattahoe.com.

Turn in your lift ticket at the end of the day and put up to $30.00
toward the purchase of your Double Whammy season pass.

Special Military Discounts! All active duty military ski free every
Sunday this winter at Sierra-at-Tahoe excluding two holidays -
January 15th and February 19th. You'll need to show official I.D.

3-Paks are back! You get three lift tickets to Sierra valid any
day and you don't have to use them consecutive days. $117.00 which
means you're sliding for just $39.00 a day. Limited quantity
available so purchase them now!

Double Whammy Means Two Times the Fun! Two Mountains for the price
of One. Ski and ride all season at Sierra-at-Tahoe and
Northstar-at-Tahoe!
Experience great mountains on both the North and South shores: huge
variety of terrain, award-winning freestyle parks, three half-pipes
and challenges for beginning through expert skiers and riders.
http://www.sierraattahoe.com

*Northstar-at-Tahoe
Limitless Rentals! Valid all season long, unlimited excluding
holidays, you can rent or test, skis, boots, boards, poles all
season long. Great for kids who outgrow gear.
www.northstarattahoe.com for details.

Reduced Rate lift ticket: $46.00 adults, Adults young adults, $16
for children. Turn in your lift ticket and get FULL credit toward
your Double Whammy Pass!

Northstar has a world-class children's ski school program, Star
Kids. If you have ankle-biting sliders, you can purchase a Star's
4-Pak for just $329.00. The Star's 4-Pak includes four all-day
lesson packages: lift tickets, lessons, rentals and lunch.
http://www.northstarattahoe.com/

Cheap early season Northstar tickets! Stop by a participating Bay
Area, Sacramento and Reno ski shop and get a voucher that gets you
a $41.00 lift ticket. Valid through December 23rd! Northstar
Village in full operation including: Rentals, Ski School, Food and
Beverage and Open Air market where you can find 2006 ski and snowboard
gear and clothing.

Lake Tahoe's original dual mountain season pass is back for 2005/06
and with prices beginning as low as $309, after five visits passholders
will be skiing and riding free for the rest of the season. For
those who haven't heard, the Double Whammy is the passport to
ski/ride some of Tahoe's finest terrain spread over 4,480 acres,
115 runs, 27 lifts (including 10 high-speed quads), 11 award-winning
freestyle terrain parks, four halfpipes, snowshoeing trails at both
resorts-plus 50 kilometers of cross-country trails at
Northstar-at-Tahoe.

Double Whammy passholders also receive loads of perks including
afternoon rates on all-day lift ticket purchases during blackout
dates, loads of discounts on food and beverages, lessons, rental
equipment at the resorts, and much more. For more information or
to buy the 2005-2006 Double Whammy Season pass visit
http://www.DoubleWhammyPass.com or call 1-800-GO-NORTH or
(530) 659-7453 x208.

*Sugar Bowl
Season Pass Sale Ends December 16th!
Great Value, Big Mountain, terrain for everyone. Sugar Bowl, located
on Donner summit is a short drive from the Bay Area and Sacramento.
Their high elevation provides them with excellent snow conditions
and the mountain has slopes fit for the beginner through the most
advanced expert. $59 lift ticket price during the holidays. Learn
to Ski at Sugar Bowl this Christmas! $50 Beginner package, includes
group lessons, rentals and beginner lift ticket. Get $10.00 of a
children's ticket by getting a free coupon at any participating
McDonalds See http://www.sugarbowl.com for details.

Mt. Judah Day Lodge Grand Opening Party! Now scheduled for December
17th. More info on the way. This is to celebrate the addition of
17,000 square feet to the lodge and a total remodel. All of our
dear readers are invited to join the festivities! Check out progress
on the new killer day lodge at: www.sugarbowl.com Big News! Reduced
ticket price to $46.00, non- holiday, $59 for the 13 holiday dates.

New High-speed quad going up at Christmas Tree, 14,000 square foot
addition at the Mt. Judah Lodge, New Magic Carpet for Sugar Bears.
The entire beginner area has been re-contoured.

New Children's Base Camp Program: Sugar Bowl's popular Base Camp
program gets bigger and better!! By popular demand, an expanded
program will be offered to adventurous outdoor-loving kids ages
4-6. This is a ski based program for kids ready to take on the
challenge and really learn to ski. The program provides lesson,
rental, lunch, indoor training techniques and a whole lot of fun!!
Call 530-426-9000 for more details. http://www.sugarbowl.com

*Soda Springs
Lift ticket price at Soda Springs: $25.00, $16.00 tubing and $10.00
for kids. Soda Springs will have Planet Kids open daily through
the holiday. Designed for Children 10 and under. Includes: Magic
Carpet, Tubing, sledding and miniature snowmobiles! 10 laps on the
miniature snowmobiles for $7.00. (Electric snowmobiles, your kids
will go wild.) http://www.skisodasprings.com/

Next week dear sliders...more snow and Christmas deals!

Kevin Tinto + Crew
Editor-in-Chief