Cutting Costs Is Child’s Play
Skiing and snowboarding is an activity that can be shared and enjoyed by the whole family.
But it also can be prohibitively expensive.
One great way to cut down on costs are the Grade School Passports that several states’ — and Canada’s — ski associations make available to eligible kids. These passports, generally aimed at fourth through sixth graders, allow children to ski or ride for free at participating resorts when accompanied by a lift-ticket-paying adult (or season pass holder).
Most of these passports have a processing fee ranging from $10 (Vermont) to $35 (Utah) and are blacked out during certain holiday periods (i.e., Christmas-New Year’s week, MLK and Presidents’ weekends). There also are no lessons or rental gear available with these passports, although some states do have separate and free Learn to Ski or Snowboard programs for youngsters that include gear, instruction and lifts.
The following are the 10 states that have Grade School Programs; Canada’s program is nationwide:
Colorado
Fourth and fifth graders are eligible to ski for free for three days at each of 20 participating resorts, include Arapahoe Basin, Copper Mountain, Crested Butte, Keystone, Steamboat, Telluride and Vail.
Idaho
Fifth graders get three free days and sixth graders two at eight participating resorts, including Brundage, Bogus Basin, Schweitzer and Sun Valley.
Maine
The WinterKids Passport is aimed at fifth, sixth and seventh graders in Maine and New Hampshire and is good for two to three days of free or discounted skiing at 50 resorts, including Sugarloaf, Sunday River and Saddleback in Maine and Bretton Woods, Loon and Waterville Valley in New Hampshire.
Michigan
The Cold Is Cool program is for fourth and fifth graders and is honored at Boyne Mountain, Boyne Highlands and Treetops, among others.
New Hampshire
The SnowSports Passport is handed out to fourth and fifth graders from anywhere, not just the Granite State, and is good for one lift ticket or trail pass to any of the state’s 34 resorts, including Cannon, Cranmore, Pats Peak, Waterville Valley and Loon.
New York
This state’s Ski and Ride Passport allows fourth graders up to three days of free lift tickets at 30 resorts, including Gore Mountain, Whiteface, Hunter and Plattekill Mountain.
Pennsylvania
Fourth and fifth graders can get three comp tickets at 21 participating resorts, including Blue Knob, Camelback and Seven Springs.
Utah
Fifth graders get three comp lift tickets — but sixth graders only one — at each of the dozen participating resorts, including Eagle Point, Park City, Snowbasin and Snowbird.
Vermont
Fifth graders from anywhere get 88 days of free riding at more than a dozen resorts, including Jay Peak, Mad River Glen, Okemo, Stowe and Stratton.
Washington
Fifth graders get three days of free rides and sixth graders two at eight resorts, including Mission Ridge, Mt. Spokane and 49 Degrees North.
Canada
Apply for the Snowpass as a fourth grader and it’s good for two seasons (5th graders who apply get just one season) at more than 150 Canadian resorts, including Whistler Blackcombe and Kimberley in British Columbia, Lake Louise and Sunshine Village in Alberta and Mont Tremblant and Mont Sutton in Quebec.
