Where Older Kids Ski Free

Lots of ski resorts run promotions where young children can ski for free, usually with a paid adult lift ticket or overnight lodging stay. This is a wonderful money-saving deal for parents who want to get their youngster on the slopes. But what about older children? Most ski-for-free deals are for young children, but what about older kids like tweens and teens?

Although it’s more difficult to track down, you can find deals for older kids to ski for free. We tasked our blog crew with uncovering the best free Skier Deals of older kids in North America and here’s what they found. 

We've uncovered some deals for older kids to ski or snowboard for free this season at several resorts across North America.
We’ve uncovered some deals for older kids to ski or snowboard for free this season at several resorts across North America.

Arizona

Arizona Snowbowl has a few great deals for kids to ski free. First, children age 10 years and under can ski for free every day during the season. Kids in the fourth grade can also receive free lift tickets every day. Not to mention, everyone skis for free on their birthday and grandparents age 70 years or older can also ski for free. The family-friendly resort just outside of Flagstaff also runs numerous promotions throughout the season for lift tickets and lodging. Lots of great deals!

California

June Mountain is one of California’s best family-friendly resorts and offers free skiing every day for kids age 12 years and under. The resort near Mammoth Lakes has 1,500 acres of world-class trails with an intimate mountain feel. Free child lift tickets can be picked up at the lift ticket office.

Canada

Get away to the Canadian Rockies for a memorable ski vacation. Children age 12 years and under ski for free at Banff in Canada. Enjoy free skiing at “The Big Three” – Lake Louise, Mt. Norquay and Banff Sunshine Village. (One free child lift ticket for each paid adult ticket.)

Colorado

Kids that live in the state of Colorado can get free skiing through the Epic SchoolKids Colorado Pack from Front Range Epic Mountain Gear. The promotion is open to Colorado residents in kindergarten through fifth grade. The pack includes four days of skiing or snowboarding at five top Colorado ski resorts: Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Crested Butte, Keystone and Vail. (Some blackout dates apply.)

Keystone offers a deal for children under the age of 12 to ski free with a minimum two-night stay at one of the resort’s properties near the base of the lifts. The deal is valid every day of the season and there are no blackout dates. Keystone is the perfect resort for ski and snowboard fanatics who want to maximize their time on the slopes. The resort operates lifts until 8 p.m. on Wednesdays through Sundays during the season and nightly during the month of March as part of its epic night skiing program.

Steamboat Springs has been teaching kids to ski for more than three decades, originally launching its Kids Ski Free program in 1982. Steamboat Resort also has a Grandkids Ski Free program so multiple generations of families can get on the mountain for some fun. All children age 12 and under can ski for free, get free ski rentals and stay for free for the same number of days as their parents/grandparents with the purchase of a five-day or longer adult lift ticket. (One free child per adult.)

Idaho

The state of Idaho presents skiing for free for fifth and sixth graders. For an $18 processing fee, fifth graders can ski for free three times at 18 different resorts across the state. Sixth graders can ski twice at each location. The passport is open to both residents and non-residents of the state of Idaho. Choose from Bald Mountain, Bogus Basin, Brundage Mountain, Cottonwood Butte, Grand Targhee, Kelly Canyon, Little Ski Hill, Lookout Pass, Lost Trail, Magic Mountain, Pebble Creek, Pomerelle, Schweitzer, Silver Mountain, Snow Haven, Soldier Mountain, Sun Valley, and Tamarack.

Maine

Ski Sunday River during the Children’s Festival from Jan. 5-10, 2020, and kids age 3-12 can ski for free, get free rentals and lessons, and stay for free at the popular East Coast ski resort. The event features a ton of family-friendly activities ranging from fun magic acts to a breathtaking fireworks display.

New Hampshire

Check out a cool app called WinterKids for a variety of winter specials for kids. For a $35 membership fee, a family of five can receive several deals and discounts for a variety of outdoor activities including ski rentals and lift tickets. Families can enjoy savings and deals like free skiing or snowboarding lessons at Sunday River in Maine with a paid adult, free youth lift tickets at Attitash Mountain Resort in New Hampshire with a paid adult ticket, and a free junior lift ticket at King Pine in New Hampshire with a paid adult. While not technically “free” because of the membership fee, the deal is a huge money-saver for families who love to get out and about.

Fourth and fifth grade students in New Hampshire can get a ski passport with access to 32 ski resorts in the state for only $30. Resorts include Cranmore Mountain, Gunstock, King Pine, Loon Mountain, Pats Peak, Ragged Mountain, Waterville Valley and Whaleback Mountain, among others. Your child doesn’t have to be a resident to get the New Hampshire Fourth and Fifth Grade Ski Passport, but you do have to prove they are in the fourth or fifth grade. A portion of the cost goes to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Some blackout dates apply.

Children age 4 years and under always ski for free at Bretton Woods, but the ski resort also offers a few special events in January and March for kids age 13+ that include free skiing and snowboarding lessons. Kids age 12 and under can sign up for a few Junior Winter Mountain Pass until mid-December for free night skiing.

Get the family away for a memorable ski vacation, and save money at the same time! These top ski resorts offer free skiing, free rentals and more for older kids.
Get the family away for a memorable ski vacation, and save money at the same time! These top ski resorts offer free skiing, free rentals and more for older kids.

New Mexico

Adults who book three nights lodging and purchase at least a three-day adult lift ticket at Red River Ski Area can get free lift tickets and lodging for children age 12 years and under.

New York

Beginners will love the Kids Learn to Ski or Ride Passport in New York that grants access to more than 20 ski resorts in the state. The passport is available to third and fourth graders for a small processing fee and includes an equipment rental, a lift ticket and a group lesson. There is also a Ski & Ride passport for kids that allows up to three lift tickets per resort with the purchase of an adult ticket. Destinations include Belleayre, Gore Mountain, Holiday Valley, Hunter Mountain, Mt. Peter, Platekill, Whiteface Mountain and Windham Mountain.

Oregon

Children age 5 years and younger always ski free at Mount Bachelor, but kids age 12 and under can also ski free with a paid parent early in the season. There are no blackout dates and tickets are good for any day after purchase.

Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Snowpass gives fourth and fifth graders the opportunity to ski or snowboard at several state resorts for only $40. State residency is not required. The pass includes one first-time ski/snowboard package as well as three lift tickets at each of the participating resorts with the purchase of an adult lift ticket. Participating resorts include:

  • Bear Creek Mountain Resort
  • Big Boulder Resort
  • Blue Knob Resort
  • Blue Mountain Resort
  • Camelback Mountain Resort
  • Elk Mountain
  • Hidden Valley Resort
  • Jack Frost Mountain
  • Laurel Mountain
  • Liberty Mountain
  • Montage Mountain
  • Mount Pleasant
  • Mystic Mountain
  • Roundtop Mountain Resort
  • Seven Springs Mountain Resort
  • Shawnee Mountain
  • Ski Big Bear
  • Ski Sawmill Family Resort
  • Spring Mountain
  • Tussey Mountain
  • Whitetail Resort

Utah

Fifth and sixth graders can ski free at the state’s top resorts as part of the Ski Utah Passport program. The Fifth Grade Passport grants three free visits to each of Utah’s 15 resorts while the Sixth Grade Passport gives one free visit for only a small processing fee. Eligible resorts include Alta, Brighton, Deer Valley, Park City, Snowbasin, Snowbird and Solitude, among others.

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