How To Get Your Kids To Ski For Free

Kids under 5 almost always get to ski for free at some of the top-ranked resorts, including Breckenridge, Vail, Beaver Creek, Crested Butte Ski Resort, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar California and more. It depends on the individual resort so check with the resort for the most updated information but it's likely your youngest won't be charged.

There are still free deals for older kids, but this is where it pays to do some research. Here are some of the most popular types of deals in the industry that try to get kids skiing and how you can take advantage of them!

A lot of places offer a "passport" or a "license" to children in certain grades. This is usually sponsored by an organization like Ski Utah, Ski Canada, WinterKids (Maine) or Mountain Capital Partners. If you provide proof of age, your kid gets a free season pass.

Usually, state residency is not required, but some programs have residency restrictions. It completely depends on the program. While your lift ticket is "free," the application isn't. Most of these fees cost much less than a day pass, but depending on your situation, it might not be your cheapest option. So, if you intend to use one of these programs, plan ahead. 

Here are some of the programs: 

• SnowPass Program: Gives grades 4-5 skiers and snowboarders 2 free passes at every participating ski area in Canada over the lifetime. 
• Ski Passport Program: Gives 3rd to 6th graders the opportunity to explore 4 days at each of the 20 ski areas throughout Colorado at a discounted rate. Participating resorts include Aspen Mountain, Telluride Ski Resort, Snowmass Ski Resort, Copper Mountain, Winter Park Resort, Steamboat Ski Resort and more. 
• Power Kids Pass: Ski free at all Power Pass mountains, including Brian Head Resort, Hesperus Ski Area, Nordic Valley Ski Resort, Purgatory Resort and more.

Participating resorts might have changed, please visit the official website for more information and a full list of resorts.

Some resort lodgings include a free lift ticket for children when they stay at least 2 nights (Keystone Resort (Colorado)), or offer a discount for the family (Deer Valley (Utah)). 

Hotels usually require advance booking to take advantage of this option. Some only require a week whereas others require much more. If you're set on a particular resort, start planning early.

Finally, a lot of resorts provide children's tickets with the purchase of adult tickets. Typically, you must ski for at least a few days to qualify. They also usually have to be purchased in advance. It's still a great option for those planning longer vacations.

Vail Resorts has a program called EpicSchoolKids. It applies to all children from Kindergarten through 5th grade. Your child gets 4 free days of skiing at each of the top-ranked resorts, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Brekenridge, Keystone and Crested Butte.

The major catch is you and your child have to be physically present in order to apply and they require some sort of verification of child’s school grade. If you're taking your family to a resort owned by Vail Resorts, definitely check it out.

Cataloochee Resort in North Carolina lets children 17 and under ski and stay free at any local, participating hotel when accompanied by a paying adult. They have significant restrictions, but you can save a lot of money if you just want to get out on a mountain. It's also one of the only deals that applies to teenagers.

Most Kids Ski Free programs have blackout dates and require you to book in advance, so definitely read the fine print.

Overall, a lot of resorts are creating incentives to get whole families on the mountain. If you have a mountain in mind, go to their website or give them a call. It's pretty likely they have some sort of deal to help save you money and get your kids skiing. It never hurts to ask.