Sliding on the Cheap! Alert! Storm Dumps on Sierra, Diamond Peak--SOTC Value Family Favorite!

Hello Sliders!

 

Yes, indeed, Mike Pechner nailed it! Tahoe has been dumped on,

even beyond our expectations!  This will truly be the opening ski/snowboard

weekend, with up to 30+ inches of fresh snow already being groomed

to world-renowned perfection.  Check www.slidingonthecheap.com
for updates! 

 

* Diamond Peak, SOTC Value Favorite For Families! 

As our regular readers know, I like to send out my "Best Of" Lake Tahoe

resort recommendations as the season gets underway, with special

emphasis on the little gems that locals know, but rarely get an opportunity

to share. While we love to rage over blistering steep vertical and

monster terrain park features, family resorts are the backbone

of the ski industry and one of the best, but lesser known is located

at Incline Village, named Diamond Peak.  (Diamond Peak

is planning to open December 13th, just ahead of the holiday ski

and snowboard season.)

 

"With a wide range of terrains, Diamond Peak enables skiers of all levels

to enjoy the spectacular views of Lake Tahoe. Skiers can take full

advantage of the scenery by riding the Lakeview Quad lift, featuring

fantastic views on the ascent, and making this precious gem worth every cent.

Of course, skiers will enjoy the mountain's excellent trails, and the excitement

Lake Tahoe has to offer. As one TripAdvisor traveler said,

"Weekends are never crowded, and during the week, you'll feel

guilty that they are running the lift just for you."

 

The SOTC crew feels the same way.  If you're looking for a fantastic

mountain, that caters toward families, yet has something for skiers

and riders of every level, Diamond Peak certainly will not disappoint,

and that doesn't even include the $48.00 all day adult lift pass,

one of the best bargains in all Tahoe.

 

What Makes Diamond Peak So Kid Friendly?" 

Scan down, dear sliders...

 

Bee Ferrato Child Ski Center 20 years into business  (ages 3-7) 

Low ski instructor to children ratio, 1 to 5 max

Surface lift

Safe environment

Background check for employees

All runs funnel into the Base Area

Beginner friendly “progression” Burton terrain park

$48 interchangeable parent’s pass

Great programs for children 3 -12 years old

Sierra Scout All Day Adventure Program 7-12 years old   

Diamond Pete Private Lessons Special 3-7 years old

Supervised Lunches

Pre and post lesson supervised time with the children

Safety measures for signing out children

Hot Chocolate

 

*Deals, Deals and Deals!

We can't list all of Diamond Peak's ongoing deals, you'll have to check the SOTC

website for everything, but here are a few of our favorites!

 

The Mini –Pass – ski for 2, 3, 5 or 7 days – any days you want,

the only transferable pass in Tahoe and in the US, the more

you ski the more you save. Prices start at just $85.00. 

 

*3 for Free!
The 3 for FREE program is new at Diamond Peak for the 2007/2008 season!

Buy three lesson packages up front for any skill level and upon completion

of your third lesson you receive three free lift tickets (up to $144 value!),

valid any day during the 2007/08 season. Lesson packages include a group

ski or snowboard lesson of 1 hr 45 min group lesson, standard rental

equipment and lift ticket with access to the lifts of your level.

Upgrades are available for purchase. The whole package is worth $159.

 

Diamond Peak wants to reward you for getting out on the slopes

and learning how to ski or snowboard, so they're offering three FREE

lift tickets upon completion of your lessons. 

You must mention this offer at any ticket window to receive the special price.

 

*Beginner Pass! 

$109 Beginner Pass good for the Lodgepole and Schoolhouse chairs.

Take turns watching the kids with the $48 Interchangeable Parent’s Pass!

 

*Lodging!

 Incline Village has tons, from the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe, to

(our favorite) The Tahoe Biltmore Hotel and Casino located just minutes

away, by far the best hotel value in Tahoe.

www.tahoebiltmore.com

 

How About If We Send A Few Of Our Readers To Diamond Peak!

If you see your email address below, send an email to kwtinto@aol.com

within 7 days to claim your free ticket! 

 

   hayesmom@***.org
   twokegdave@********.com
   iww9892@*******.com
   colfam4@*********.net
   carolyn.wright@*******.com
   dzigs@***.com

 

Make sure to visit one of our "Best Of"  resorts, Diamond Peak

at www.diamondpeak.com

 

Kevin Tinto + Crew

Editor-in-Chief

Slidingonthecheap.com

Sliding on the Cheap! Sierra Winter Storm Warning, $25 Learn To Slide Weekend, Tixs, Lodging, More!

He's been glued to his desk, for days without food, not wanting to miss a
change in the atmospheric mood.  Suddenly without warning, the satellite dish
shakes; the weather room rolls like it has been hit with a quake.  With quivering
hands and a wide beaming smile, Mike Pechner dials my number from his

"Call-If-New-Snow-Is-On-The-Way" file. 

"It seems like a year, but I'm out of my slump!  Grab
your new boards, it's going to dump!"

 

Hello Sliders!

We're all in the same boat, dear sliders, waiting to see if the
inbound storm will dump enough snow to significantly impact resorts
for the weekend.  Mike Pechner, our meteorologist, tells me this
is a significant system, with up to two feet of snow above the 8,000
foot level, with six to ten inches at lake level.  That's his
story...and he's sticking to it.  Make sure to read Mike's SnowCast
below, if you want to bring a smile to your face.

Learn to Ski/Ride on the Northshore.  Happens this weekend, learn
to ski or ride for just $25.00.  We suggest getting to the resorts
EARLY, since these events can be busy, given the fantastic price for first
timers.  However!  You'd best call to check with your favorite
resort to make sure they're planning to host Learn to Ski this
weekend.

What else do we have sliders?  I'm glad you asked!  Sign-up for
Kirkwood's Neighborwood email for all kinds of great info and swag,
Ground Zero is offering sliders up to 40% off in Sacramento area
stores, Sports Basement is giving sliders 10% off their already
(insanely low) prices online and in store, Sugar Bowl is hosting
the annual Toy Drive and lift ticket discount this weekend... more,
you ask?  Scan down, dear sliders and stuff yourselves on great
Tahoe offerings and information!

*Northstar and Sierra, Double Whammy Pass!
Ski or Ride two great resorts for the price of one!
http://www.doublewhammypass.com/

*TELEPACIFIC Wants to Send You Sliding Northstar/Sierra  FREE!
Check it out at http://www.telepacific.com/ski

*Are you looking for gear and live in the Sacramento area? 
Slider Discount!  Get up to 40% off snowboarding gear at all four
Ground Zero locations.  Visit http://www.groundzeroboardshop.net/

 

*The Tahoe Biltmore Hotel & Casino

The SOTC home, away from home.  We love it. Great north shore location

fantastic rates and Breakfast included!  Prices start at just $39 a night.

www.tahoebiltmore.com

*The Skinny
The Skinny is we're biting our nails just like everyone else, waiting
to see how much snow  is gonna drop.  As is
sometimes the case, much of what we have on the SOTC newsletter

depends upon how weather impacts conditions. 
That is especially true with early season pricing, which can

and will change with fresh snow.

*Kirkwood! 
Sign up for Kirkwood's Neighborwood news for an opportunity to
receive discounted online offers, only available to Neighborwood
members.  http://www.kirkwood.com/winter/neighborwood.php

*Sierra-at-Tahoe!
Great gift ideas!  Sierra offers fantastic deals on 3-Paks of
all kinds!  Tickets, Lessons, Day Care, Demos and more!
http://www.sierratahoe.com/

*Open This Weekend
Northstar-at-Tahoe
Boreal
Sugar  Bowl
Heavenly
Alpine Meadows
Kirkwood
Squaw Valley USA
Mt. Rose-Ski-Tahoe

*Ticket Prices
Are ranging all over the board, and rather than quote prices we
know will likely change by the weekend, it's best to visit the
websites of your favorite resorts for information.

*Our Picks!
Boreal, Northstar, Heavenly, Learn to Ski/Ride
at Squaw.

(call and make SURE resorts are running Learn to Ski/Ride!)

*Sports Basement and SOTC Means  Saving Big $$$$$ For Christmas!
On Brands Like: Atomic, Salomon, Dynastar, Nordica, Burton and Ride!
Get 10% off the lowest marked price in store by saying you want the
Sliding on the Cheap discount, or shop online and use the code
SOTC6!  http://www.sportsbasement.com/

*Vertical Sunglasses!
NORTHSTAR/SIERRA  DISCOUNT TICKET VOUCHER WITH
EVERY VERTICAL PURCHASE!
We've got new styles and colors that are off the chain!  Check out
the new Polarized Speed Freaks, Black Ice Polarized, Black Chromium
Iridium, Zero Gravity and more.  $14.99 shipped.  Don't like them?
Return for 100% refund!  We also added our own line of Snowboard
Beanies!  Orange Flame and Flaming Skulls!
http://stores.ebay.com/slidingonthecheap

Purchase Verticals or Beanies, get a free voucher that is valid at
Northstar/Sierra for the purchase of a $51 lift ticket!  Valid at
Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort and Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort.  AVAILABLE
DATES: Vouchers will be valid from season opening through November
22; November 25-December 21, 2007; January 2-18, 2008, and March
17 through the end of the 2008 season.

*8th Annual North Lake Tahoe Learn to Ski & Ride Weekend!
For only $25/day, first time skiers and snowboarders over 9 years
old will receive an all-day beginner lift ticket, lessons and gear
rental on December 8-9.  Note!  Minimum age varies by resort!  Call
ahead to confirm!

*Mike Pechner SnowCast!
Snow forecast inbound for Thursday, including Winter Storm Warning
covering the High Sierra for Thursday night and Friday.  Mike is
forecasting 6-10" at Lake Level, 12"-17" at 7,000 and two feet above
8,000.  Could snow right through Saturday morning, and chains will
likely be required!  Clearing Saturday, with dry and cold Sunday
night.  Next week:  Cold temperatures will keep the snow fresh and
more snow possible midweek.

*The Resort at Squaw Creek in Olympic Valley
Announcing special menus for their Chef's Holiday Tastings that
take place every Thursday in December.  From 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.,
a four-course dinner featuring a variety of fresh, seasonal ingredients
is offered for $45 per person or $60 per person to also include
expertly paired wines with the dinner.  http://www.squawcreek.com.

The Sliding on the Cheap newsletter is FREE, FREE, FREE!  Delivered
once a week during the season and twice monthly during the fall.
What will you find?  Cheap tickets, hotel, lodging, food and more!
To sign-up (or drop) go to http://www.slidingonthecheap.com/

Yes, and we give away FREE lift passes, to SOTC readers selected
at random from our list each and every week!  Yes, you MUST be on
our list to win free swag.

*Free Swag For Our Readers!
Do you see your email address below?  If so, send a note to
kwtinto@aol.com (within 7 days) to claim your (awesome) prize!

Note: You MUST be  receiving our newsletter to win.

If you see your address below...  you've Won a Ticket to
Northstar-at-Tahoe/Sierra-at-Tahoe!  Send an Email to kwtinto@aol.com
within 7 days to claim your ticket!

 

   kvmtncmp@***.com
   wendy4grls@***.com
   el2@****.com
   tom.walbom@*****.com
   denise.mikroulis@********.com
   ameilan@*******.net
   dpbski@***.com
   wmoller@*****.com
   sweetdreams2@****.com
   steve@***************.com
   jcleelaw@***.com
   spit62@*******.com

Okay, Sliders.  Time to Go Sliding On The Cheap!

*Heavenly!
With fresh snow and high altitude slopes, Heavenly should have some
of the best sliding this weekend.  We don't have a hard and fast
ticket price, but it's almost a sure bet you won't find any more
open terrain than at Heavenly.  http://www.skiheavenly.com/

*Sugar  Bowl
Planning to be open this weekend with new snow.  Given the high base
elevation, expect to find solid snowfall accumulations at Sugar
Bowl.  Need a sliding fix, but you're short on time? Remember, Sugar
Bowl is the closest major ski resort to the bay area and Sacramento
in drive time and distance.

Toy Drive at Sugar Bowl, Saturday, December 8th.  Bring an  unwrapped
toy and Sugar Bowl will give you a voucher worth $8.00 off  the
purchase of your lift ticket. 

http://www.sugarbowl.com

*Northstar-at-Tahoe
One of our best picks for the weekend.  With new snow on top of the
manmade and a naturally smooth under-surface, expect to find good
early season sliding this weekend at Northstar. 

With The Village at the base and wireless Internet at Starbucks,

 it's a complete package for early season sliders and crew.

Early Season Rates--Can and Will Change! 
Adult (23 - 64)  $39
Young Adult (13 - 22) $39
Child (5 - 12) $14
Senior (65 - 69) $39
Super Senior  (70+) $14

Learn to Ski/Ride Special, December 8th.  A first-time adult lesson
package at the Northstar Resort's award-winning Ski and Snowboard
School.  Cost is $25 and includes a beginner's lift ticket (access
to beginner lifts only), lesson and rental equipment.  That is
almost 70% off!

Special is only valid Saturday, December 8 and Sunday, December 9,
2007.  No reservations are required.  Simply show up at the Rental
Shop in the Village at Northstar.  Northstar Resort recommends
participant arrive early.  Subject to sell out.  Must be 13 years
and older for discount.  http://www.northstarattahoe.com/

*Squaw  Valley USA
Learn to Ski and Ride Weekend at Squaw Valley USA - December 8-9
and Sliding on the Cheap Apres Party on Saturday December 8 at Plaza
Bar.

After a day of skiing and riding-join the Sliding on the Cheap crew
at Plaza Bar for drink specials, lift ticket, product giveaways and
SOTC fun.  3pm-5pm,

Bring your beginner friends for our $25 Learn to Ski and Ride
Days-price includes beginner lift ticket, rental equipment and a
full day of group instruction.
http://www.squaw.com/learn-ski-and-ride-day-0

Squaw Valley Snow God's Ball - December 15, 2007 - A benefit for
the Squaw Valley Avalanche Awareness Education Fund Bring on the
snow at Squaw Valley's Olympic House for this annual celebration
and fundraiser.  The evening includes live music by Aphrodesia at
Bar One and DJ Mancub at Zenbu.  Doors open at 8pm.  Tickets are
$15 in advance or $20 at the door.  Door prizes and raffle include
a Squaw season pass, lift tickets, avi gear and more.  For tickets
call 530-452-7260 or visit Dave's Ski & Board lcoations.
http://www.squaw.com/

*Boreal
Boreal will be rocking after the storm on Thursday, given their
high base elevation and ability to get fantastic ski and ride
conditions without a ton of snow.  One of our best picks for the
weekend!

Frickin' Friday this Friday!  Show a current college ID and get and
all-day lift ticket for just $15.00.

Have to work during the day  but you still need that sliding fix?
Boreal is open for night skiing and  riding.  Open 9am-9pm daily.
http://www.rideboreal.com/

*Donner Ski Ranch
2007/2008 SEASON PASSES ON SALE
ADULT 18-59 - $299
ADULT ADD-A-FRIEND 18-59
(with purchase of regular adult season pass) - $250
YOUNG ADULT 13-17 - $199
CHILD 6-12 - $99
SENIOR 60-69 - $150
SUPER SENIOR 70+ - *$25 processing fee*
CHILD under 6 - *$25 processing fee*

*Alpine  Meadows
Planning to open again this weekend, check the web site for details
on terrain, ticket price and times.  Alpine Meadows is hosting the
Learn-to-Ski program this weekend.  Call to check schedules and
times and remember to get to the resort early! 

http://www.skialpine.com/

*Sierra-at-Tahoe
Sierra is waiting for the inbound storm to set an opening date.
Check the website for details at http://www.sierratahoe.com/

Planning to ski or ride more than 4 times this season?  If so, a
Sierra-at-Tahoe season pass might just pay for itself.
http://www.doublewhammypass.com/ http://www.sierratahoe.com/

*Kirkwood
Will focus snowmaking on Chair Six, (high speed quad), expect to
find Kirkwood opening more terrain as conditions warrant.

For overnight lodging, early season rates are available including
Stay & Ski Free packages; those interested can call Kirkwood Lodging
at (800) 967-7500 for more information or to make a reservation.

Be sure to mark your calendar for Expedition: Kirkwood's Kickoff
Weekend on December 15th and 16th with teaser clinics and giveaways
throughout the event.  The festivities include the Tahoe Adventure
Film Festival at the Montbleu Casino and Hotel featuring the latest
adventure films in the industry.  http://www.kirkwood.com/

*Homewood
Projected  opening date is December 15th.
Homewood Season Pass Sale!
Midweek  Pass:  $299.00. 
Combo Pass Midweek:  Homewood/Alpine  $649
RATES WILL INCREASE DECEMBER 1ST! 
BUY YOUR DISCOUNTED PASS NOW! 
http://www.skihomewood.com/

*Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe!
PROJECTED OPENING DAY!  Thursday Dec. 6th
Ponderosa Lift serving Ponderosa Run
Lift Tickets - $29 ages 13 & up, $12 ages 12 & under
Learn More on the North Shore - Dec 8 & 9.  $25 First Timer Packages!
$12 ages 12 & under
http://www.skirose.com/

*Diamond  Peak
Planning to open December 13th. 

DP "Is Open" party at the Hacienda, restaurant at Incline Village.
Live music, free giveaways and fun.  December 14th, from 7pm-10pm.
http://www.diamondpeak.com/

Kevin Tinto + Crew
Editor-in-Chief
Slidingonthecheap.com