Thinking about taking your lil’ rippers out for some fun on the slopes this winter season? If you’re hitting the powder in 2026-2027 ski season with the kids you can’t miss this list! Check out these programs for lift tickets, rentals and even lessons for FREE at some resorts and with deep discounts at others.
We’ve rounded up some of the best kids ski free programs in Colorado, Utah, New York, Vermont, and Pennsylvania to help you plan an affordable family ski vacation.
Colorado & Utah
• Epic SchoolKids (Vail Resorts): free for K–5th graders for 4 days at each of their included resorts in Colorado and Utah.
Colorado:Keystone, Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, and Crested Butte
Utah: Park City
These are FREE and include a free first-timer lesson and rental package if new to skiing/riding.
This is available to anyone (including non-Colorado and Utah residents) but you must apply in person at local Epic Mountain Gear shops in Utah and Colorado. Proof of eligibility provided with school grade card, school ID or transcript. No parent lift tickets are required for eligibility either! Blackout dates do apply so read up here before you go!
- Colorado Ski Passport (CSCUSA): K–6th graders get 4 days of skiing at each of the 19 participating resorts
- Including: Aspen, Steamboat, Winter Park, Copper, Telluride, Arapahoe Basin, Aspen Highlands, Echo Mountain, Eldora, Granby Ranch, Howelsen Hill, Loveland Ski Area, Monarch, Powderhorn, Purgatory Resort, Silverton, Snowmass, Steamboat, and Sunlight
- Including: Aspen, Steamboat, Winter Park, Copper, Telluride, Arapahoe Basin, Aspen Highlands, Echo Mountain, Eldora, Granby Ranch, Howelsen Hill, Loveland Ski Area, Monarch, Powderhorn, Purgatory Resort, Silverton, Snowmass, Steamboat, and Sunlight
- While this pass comes at a cost it’s only $79 for 79 days and includes 2 free days of ski/board rental at Christy Sports.
- This pass is unique as it also offers a discount for teens and an accompaning adult. The Gem Teens pass gets your teenager 2 passes at each of the 10 included resorts for $210 (or 20 visits at $10.50 each if you can maximize it).
The Gems Parent Pass is $350 for 20 visits (still a discount if you can make for for that many days of “pow”). These passes go on sale September 1st!
- Ski Utah 4th/5th/6th Grade Passport: 4th, 5th and 6th graders can ski or ride 3 times at each of Utah’s 15 resorts for $79 (at total of 45 days). The cost goes up on December 1st to $99.
- Including: Alta Ski Area, Brighton Resort, Beaver Mountain, Brian Head Resort, Cherry Peak Resort, Snowbasin Resort, Snowbird, Solitude, Deer Valley Resort, Eagle Point, Nordic Valley, Park City Mountain, Powder Mountain, Sundance Resort, and Woodward Park City
East Coast
- New York
SKI NY Ski & Ride Passport: 3rd, 4th, or 5th graders get a complimentary one-day lift ticket when accompanied by a paying adult, at participating NY resorts - Including: Belleayre Mountain, Big Snow American Dream, Bristol Mountain, Buffalo Ski Center, Catamount, Dry Hill Ski Area, Gore Mountain, Greek Peak Mountain Resort, Holiday Mountain, Holiday Valley Resort, Holimont, Hunt Hollow Ski Club, Kissing Bridge, Labrador Mountain, Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center, McCauley Mountain, Mountain Creek Resort, Mount Peter, Mt. Pisgah, Mt. Van Hoevenberg XC, Northampton Park, Oak Mountain, Peek ‘n Peak Resort, Plattekill Mountain, Powder Mills Park, Skaneateles Ski Club, Snow Ridge Resort, Song Mountain, Swain Resort, Thunder Ridge, Titus Mountain, West Mountain, Whiteface Mountain, Windham Mountain Club.
Note: Each resort has its own set of rules and restrictions so check out the link above for each.
- Vermont
Ski Vermont gives 5th graders a passport for three days of free skiing/riding/cross country at each 40 resorts for $40
- Including: Bolton Valley, Brattleboro Ski Hill, Bromley Mountain Resort, Burke Mountain Resort, Cochran’s Ski Area, Jay Peak, Killington, Lyndon Outing Club, Mad River Glen, Magic Mountain, Middlebury Snowbowl, Mount Snow Resort, Northeast Slopes, Okemo, Pico Mountain, Quechee, Saskadena Six, Smugglers’ Notch Resort, Stowe, Stratton, Sugarbush
- Pennsylvania
The PA Outdoor Aventure Pass in association with the Pennsylvania Ski Area Association offers a 4th- and 5th-grade adventure pass that for $69 gives you year long discounts but includes buy one get one free lift tickets at the included resorts.
- Including:Ski Sawmill Family Resort, Montage Mountain, Elk Mountain, Tussey Mountain, Camelback Resort, Spring Mountain Adventures, Bear Creek Mountain Resort, Mount Pleasant of Edinboro, Blue Mountain Resort, Ski Big Bear at Masthope Mountain, Blue Knob All Seasons Resort, Shawnee Mountain Ski Area
