Early-season ski conditions have been lackluster thus far, striking fear in the hearts of powderhounds that this season will be on par with last year’s dismal snowfall totals. But the past week or so has given us a glimmer of hope, with nearly two feet falling in Vail and Beaver Creek, a foot-and-a-half in Breckenridge, and a foot at Keystone, Copper Mountain, A-Basin, and Loveland.

As such, this weekend seems like the perfect time to get out and test your ski legs if you haven’t done so already. Not up for battling the I-70 mess yourself? Would you rather let someone else do the driving? Enter the Front Range Ski Bus. Starting this Saturday, the ski bus offers round-trips from Denver to Loveland, A-Basin, Keystone, and Copper Mountain every Thursday through Sunday. Normally $35 a trip ($29 for kids 12 and under), the Ski Bus is offering free trips this Saturday, December 15, to celebrate the launch of the expanded schedule (until now, it’s been running only on Saturdays and Sundays). Book here with the promo code “FREEBUS” to reserve your seat for Saturday, but jump on it—the bus will fill up quickly.

Plus, from now on, when you book for Thursday or Friday (start saving up those “sick” days), a friend can ride for free; just use promo code “FreeFriend.” Click here for other deals, such as season bus passes, multi-day transport, and lift ticket discounts.

The bus leaves from three locations:

7 a.m. South Denver at the Sports Authority parking lot, I-25 and Arapahoe

7:30 a.m. Downtown Denver at Union Station, 17th and Wynkoop streets

7:50 a.m. Morrison at the Wooly Mammoth Park-and-Ride, exit 259 off I-70, section DD

Return trip departures:

3:30 p.m. Copper Mountain, base of American Flyer lift

3:50 p.m. Keystone, front of Norski Sports

4 p.m. A-Basin, front of Main Lodge

4:20 p.m. Loveland, front of Main Lodge

Note: Times vary based on weather and road conditions, but the bus always runs.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock