Skiing is not an inexpensive sport. Between rentals, lessons and lift tickets ... not to mention $5 hot chocolate ... well, you get the idea.
But there are ski areas who have realized that skiing is best as a family sport and that kids are the key to the future. Several have put their money where their lift tickets are and invite kids to ski free! Of course, oodles of restrictions apply, so check before you visit, but here are eight great options we found.
Keystone, Colorado: Every day, all season, children 12 and under will ski/snowboard for free at Keystone. With no blackout dates and availability on all weekends and holidays, it’s a great choice during school vacations. To qualify, children have to stay at least two nights in one of Keystone’s many accommodation options. Plus, there is no limit on how many children can take advantage of this offer in your family!
All Resorts, Vermont: 5th graders ski free with the Fifth Grade Passport Program. In an effort to encourage kids to get outside and get active, Vermont ski resorts invite 5th graders to register for up to 88 days of free skiing! Fifth Grade passport holders just need to be accompanied by a ticket or pass holding adult and each adult may bring up to two Passport holders. Passports are valid Dec. 1 - May 1 but there are some blackout dates.
Boyne Highlands Resort and Boyne Mountain Resort, Michigan: Kids 8 and under who take part in the resorts’ SnowSports Academy program for an individual or group lesson or who are guests at the resort hotels will receive a free day ticket for skiing and snowboarding. Better yet, these ski resorts offer free beginner areas open to those just starting in the sports at any age, and includes a Magic Carpet conveyor, and chairlift access.
Whistler, British Columbia: With the Stay and Ski packages, children 12 years old and under can ski for free with a paying adult. Start date must be the same on both the adult’s and the child’s tickets and must be of equal duration. There are some blackout dates so watch out for those and package rates vary based on the month you choose to visit.
Mt. Bachelor, Oregon: Kids 12 and under can ski for free when their parents purchase a multiday pass in advance. This deal is not available on site so you must plan ahead! There are a variety of multiday choices to fit your vacation needs. What’s great is that there are no blackout dates and kids 5 and under ski free no matter what (no multiday pass needed for the parents!)
Gore Mountain, New York: Gore Mountain offers two free weeks of skiing during their "Take Your Kids to Gore Week" that happens January 21-26, 2014 and March 17-23, 2014. Kids 19 and under ski, ride, and tube free with full paying parent all week. This offer is even open to season passholders! This is a great deal for families with kids of all ages!
Sunlight Mountain, Colorado: Get the best of both worlds with the Ski Swim Stay winter package where kids 12 and under can ski free with a paying adult at Sunlight Mountain plus they receive a unlimited admission to the Glenwood Hot Springs pool to relax in after a hard day of skiing (or anytime during your trip!)
Big Sky Resort, Montana: Kids 10 and under ski free when staying at Big Sky or with a paid lesson at Mountain Sports. Kids 5 and under always ski free.
