Discover Where Kids Can Ski for Free during the 2025-26 Season*
- Alli Widman
- Nov 14
- 5 min read
Updated: Nov 16
Did you know that most states (with ski resorts) offer passport programs for kids to ski for free (*or a small processing fee)? Better yet, you do NOT need to be a state resident to apply for most of these programs. We have the inside scoop on state-sponsored passport programs for the 2025-26 season.
This season, state passport programs are more accessible than ever. Access to state passport programs is on the rise, with many resorts reducing their blackout dates and expanding the ages covered. Notably, Colorado has lowered the starting age to Kindergarten. Several programs have introduced minor increases in their processing fees. Most passes remain valid on weekends, with only holiday restrictions applying. **The resorts highlighted in blue below provide direct links to Avant Ski's insider guides.
Alterra Continues Kids Ski Free Week from December 6 - 12, 2025
Alterra Mountain Company is offering up to 7 free lift tickets at 15 different resorts for Kids Ski Free Week. Kids ages 12 and under (17 and under at Stratton and Schweitzer) may participate. Take advantage of early season snowfall and get the kids skiing before the holidays. New this season, many of the resorts are also offering promotions for lessons and rentals.
Participating resorts include Steamboat, Winter Park and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado; Palisades Tahoe, Mammoth, Big Bear Mountain Resort, and Snow Valley in California; Stratton and Sugarbush in Vermont; Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia; Crystal Mountain in Washington; Schweitzer in Idaho; Deer Valley and Solitude in Utah; Tremblant in Quebec and Blue Mountain (subject to opening date) in Ontario, Canada.
Contact us to learn more and start planning your kids ski free week.
Utah Ski Passport Program
4th, 5th and 6th graders: 3 days of skiing at each of Utah's 15 resorts - 45 days total. Cost: $69, will increase to $89 after December 1
Access to all 15 Resorts in Utah including: Alta Ski Area, Beaver Mountain, Brian Head Resort, Brighton Resort, Cherry Peak, Deer Valley, Eagle Point, Nordic Valley, Park City, Powder Mountain, Snowbasin, Snowbird, Solitude, Sundance Resort, Woodward Park City
Restrictions: Only 9 of the resorts have holiday blackouts including Dec. 26, 2025 - Dec. 31, 2025; Jan. 17-18, 2026; Feb. 14-15, 2026
New for the 2025-26 Season: Six resorts no longer have blackout dates including Cherry Peak, Eagle Point, Nordic Valley, Snowbasin and Solitude. 11 of the 15 resorts will use the Self-Redeem process.
Highlights
All grades receive 3 days at each of Utah's 15 resorts
Colorado Ski Passport Program
K-6th graders: 4 days of skiing at 19 participating resorts - 76 days total. Cost: $67 (K-2) or $72 (Grades 3-6)
Access to 19 Resorts in Colorado Including: Arapahoe Basin, Aspen Highlands, Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, Cooper, Copper Mountain, Echo Mountain, Eldora, Granby Ranch, Howelsen Hill, Loveland, Monarch Mountain, Powderhorn, Purgatory, Snowmass, Steamboat, Sunlight, Telluride, Winter Park
Restrictions: Limited restrictions over holidays including Thanksgiving, Christmas, MLK and President's Day.
Highlights: All grades receive 4 days at each of the 20 participating ski resorts in Colorado
Idaho Ski Passport Program
5th graders: 3 days of skiing at 19 participating resorts - 57 days total. Cost: $29 processing fee
6th graders: 2 day of skiing at 19 participating resorts - 36 days total. Cost: $29 processing fee
Access to 19 Resorts in Idaho including: 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, Soldier Mountain, Snowhaven, Sun Valley, Tamarack
Resorts with Holiday or Saturday Blackout Dates: Grand Targhee, Lookout Pass, Silver Mountain, Tamarack
Vermont Ski Passport Program
5th graders: 3 days of skiing at more than 40 participating alpine and cross country resorts - 90 days total, plus access to cross country ski areas. Cost: $35 processing fee
The passport program is only for fifth graders; neither Vermont nor U.S. residency is required
Restrictions: Passport holders must be accompanied by a ticket or pass-holding adult. An adult may bring up to two passport bearers. Blackout restrictions apply and vary by resort. View specific restrictions by resort here.
Access to 20 Alpine Resorts in Vermont Including: Bolton Valley, Bromley, Burke Mountain, Cochran’s Ski Area, Jay Peak, Killington, Lydon Outing Club, Mad River Glen, Magic Mountain, Middlebury Snow Bowl, Mount Snow, Northeast Slopes, Okemo, Pico Mountain, The Quechee Club, Smugglers’ Notch, Stowe, Stratton, Sugarbush
New York - SKI NY Passport Program-Kids Ski Free
3rd, 4th & 5th graders: Up to 2 free lift tickets at 14* participating resorts - 36 days total. Cost: $45 processing fee
Restrictions: Passport holders must be accompanied by a ticket or pass-holding adult. An adult may bring up to two passport bearers.
New This Season - New Jersey Expansion: Mountain Creek in Vernon, New Jersey along with Big Snow American Dream are now part of the passport (both are valid midweek, non-holiday only).
Access to 30+ Resorts* in New York & New Jersey Including: Belleayre, Big Snow American Dream, Catamount, Gore Mountain, Mountain Creek, Green Peak, Bristol Mountain, Buffalo Ski Center, Holiday Valley, Peek n Peak, Snow Ridge Resort, Swain Resort, Thunder Ridge, Titus Mt, West, Whiteface and some cross country centers
*Resorts subject to change, make sure to check the site
New Hampshire Ski Passport Program
4th/5th graders: 1lift ticket to each of 18 alpine resorts and additional cross country resorts. Cost: $59 processing fee
Access to 30 Resorts in New Hampshire Including: Abenaki Ski Area, Attitash Mountain Resort, Black Mountain, Bretton Woods Resort, Cannon Mountain, Cranmore Mountain Resort, Crotched Mountain, Dartmouth Skiway, Gunstock Mountain Resort, Kine Pine at Purity Spring Resort, Loon Mountain Resort, McIntyre Ski Area, Mount Sunapee Resort, Pats Peak, Ragged Mountain Resort, Waterville Valley Resort, Whaleback Mountain, Wildcat Mountain
Restrictions: Passes are subject to holiday blackout dates.
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