Colorado Ski Deals 2018-19 for Families – Kids Ski Free
The Colorado Rocky Mountains are a fantastic ski destination, and after a disappointing year last year… this year’s snow reports are looking very promising indeed! It’s not cheap to hit the slopes with a family in tow. Here’s a helpful list of Colorado ski deals, including places your kids can ski or snowboard for free.
This roundup is published every year by Colorado Ski Country USA. Below are some Kids Ski Free packages and discounts available at Colorado Ski Country member ski areas.
Colorado Gems Card
First this! Then I’ll go through the individual resort deals…
Appropriately named, the Gems ski areas are among Colorado’s best hidden treasures. With affordable prices and world-class terrain, the Colorado Gems ski areas offer an authentic Colorado skiing and snowboarding experience. For just $25, the Colorado Gems Card provides either two 2-for-1 adult lift tickets or two 30 percent off adult lift tickets at each of the eleven Colorado Gems Resorts, providing up to 22 days of discounted skiing or riding at Colorado’s hidden gems.
For more information or to purchase a Colorado Gems Card, visit www.ColoradoSki.com/Gems. The CSCUSA Gems card enjoys the support of presenting sponsor HEAD Wintersports.
Participating resorts in the 2018-19 Gems Card program include: Arapahoe Basin, Cooper, Echo Mountain, Eldora, Granby Ranch, Hesperus, Kendall Mountain, Loveland, Monarch, Powderhorn and Sunlight.
5th and 6th Grade Passport Program
Colorado Ski Country USA offers any fifth grader the chance to ski or ride three days at 22 participating member resorts across the state for free. That’s up to 66 free days on the slopes.
Fifth graders who have never skied or snowboarded are eligible for the First-Class program which provides “never-ever” skiers and riders one free full-day beginner lesson and equipment rental at the resort of their choice. All Passport holders also receive one complimentary junior rental from Christy Sports.
The corresponding Sixth Grade Passport Program offers four days of skiing at the same 22 resorts for only $105, with prices subject to change. To register for the Passport Program, visit www.coloradoski.com/passport.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
Arapahoe Basin introduces children to skiing and snowboarding with the Kids Free 2 Ski Pass. Absolutely free for kids between the ages of six and 12, the Kids Free 2 Ski Pass offers two free days of skiing or riding at Arapahoe Basin during the 2018-19 season.
Guests can register online or at the mountain by December 17, 2018. All first-time skiers and snowboarders between the ages of six and 12 registered for Kids Free 2 Ski can also receive 50 percent off one full-day, first-timer lesson to help get them started.
Children under the age of five ski free every day at Arapahoe Basin. Guests can obtain a “5 and under” lift ticket by bringing the child to the ticket window. For more information, visit www.arapahoebasin.com.
Aspen Snowmass
To encourage a new generation of winter enthusiasts, Aspen Snowmass offers free lift tickets with an equipment rental from Four Mountain Sports for children between the ages of seven and 12. The package must be booked with lodging through Stay Aspen Snowmass and is valid January 1 – April 21, 2019.
Kids age six and under always ski free at Aspen Snowmass. For more information, visit www.aspensnowmass.com.
Cooper
At Cooper, children five and under ski free every day. Children between the ages of six and 14 receive discounted lift tickets, plus deals on children’s group lessons as low as $69. For more information, visit www.skicooper.com.
Copper Mountain
Copper Mountain offers the One, Two, Free! package for children ages 12 and younger, which provides free skiing with the purchase of a two-day adult lift ticket.
Children ages four and under always ski and ride free. Copper also offers free lift tickets to try the Easy Rider magic carpet in Center Village. Lift tickets are complimentary and must be picked up at the ticket window. For more information, visit www.coppercolorado.com.
Echo Mountain Resort
At Echo Mountain, kids under the age of six can receive a season pass for free with the purchase of an adult season pass. For more information, visit www.echomountainresort.com.
Eldora
At Eldora, kids ages five and under can purchase an alpine season pass for only $29. For more information, visit www.eldora.com. This ski area can get busy on weekends and holidays. Here are some helpful tips for guests planning to visit on weekends, holidays, and powder days:
1) Take RTD’s N Route public bus straight to our Alpenglow high-speed chairlift, with no parking headaches. There’s plenty of free weekend parking at RTD’s Boulder Station and elsewhere in town.
2) If you must drive, please carpool with 3+ passengers.
3) Arrive at Eldora early (8:15-8:30 AM) to beat the traffic 9-11 traffic bubble.
4) Consider visiting on a weekday, when parking lots and lift lines are empty and the mountain is all yours!
Granby Ranch
Granby Ranch offers free skiing and riding every day for children ages five and under. Granby Ranch also partners with Grand County Schools to offer free skiing on Fridays with student ID.
For more information, visit www.granbyranch.com.
Hesperus Ski Area
Hesperus participates in the Free Power Pass program, which grants a free season pass valid at Purgatory Resort and Hesperus Ski Area, to children ages 10 and younger. For more information, visit www.ski-hesperus.com.
Howelsen Hill Ski Area
At Howelsen Hill, children ages five and under pay only $8 for a daily lift ticket, while children between the ages of six and 18 pay only $15 for a full day of skiing or riding.
Howelsen will also partner with the Steamboat Springs School District to offer free lessons. For more information, visit www.steamboatsprings.net/131/Howelsen-Hill-Ski-Area.
Kendall Mountain Ski Area
Children ages five and under ski and ride free every day at Kendall Mountain. For more information, visit www.kendallmountain.com.
Loveland Ski Area
At Loveland, children ages five and under can ski and snowboard for free. For children between the ages of six and 14, Loveland offers a free season pass with the completion of the 3-Class Pass.
Children’s full day lesson packages include a lesson, lift access, equipment rentals (ski or snowboard), helmet and lunch.
For more information, visit www.skiloveland.com.
Monarch Mountain
Children under six always ski and ride free at Monarch Mountain. For families who don’t want to visit the lift ticket window for a complimentary child’s pass each day, Monarch also offers children’s season passes for those ages six and under with just a processing fee of $20.
For more information, visit www.skimonarch.com.
Powderhorn Resort
At Powderhorn, children ages five and under can purchase a daily lift ticket for $18 or a season pass for $59. Through the Learn to Ski Free program, participants can enjoy free ski or snowboard lessons, with free rentals and a free Easy Rider lift ticket during the time of the lesson. This program is open to brand-new or beginner skiers ages five and up and is offered every Sunday morning after the holiday season.
For more information, visit www.powderhorn.com.
Purgatory Resort
Purgatory Resort participates in the Free Power Pass program, which grants a free season pass valid at Purgatory Resort and Hesperus Ski Area, to children ages 10 and younger.
For more information, visit www.skipurg.com.
Steamboat Resort
Steamboat’s Kids Ski Free and Grandkids Ski Free programs give children 12 years old or younger free lift tickets and free rentals for the same number of days as their parent, grandparent, or legal guardian when the parent, grandparent, or legal guardian has purchased a 5-or-more day adult lift ticket and a 5-or-more day rental package.
For more information, visit www.steamboat.com.
Sunlight Mountain Resort
Children ages five and younger can receive a free Carefree Skier season pass to Sunlight Mountain Resort. Children five and younger can also ski free every day by visiting the ticket window for a complimentary daily lift ticket.
With the award-winning Ski, Swim and Stay Package, kids 12 and younger can ski and ride free. For more information, visit www.sunlightmtn.com.
Telluride Ski Resort
Telluride offers free daily lift tickets at the lift ticket window for children ages five and younger. For more information, visitwww.tellurideskiresort.com.
Winter Park Resort
Winter Park’s Kids Ski Free program offers free skiing and riding for children ages 12 and younger with the purchase of Winter Park lodging and a 3-day adult lift ticket. Blackout dates apply, and more information is available at www.winterparkresort.com.
Wolf Creek Ski Area
Each season, Wolf Creek hosts a “Know the Code” safety poster contest. The annual safety poster contest invites elementary, junior and high school students to illustrate one or more aspects of the Responsibility Code.
Wolf Creek staff and guests vote on the posters, and first through third place winners in each division are awarded a free ski day with immediate family members. For more information, visit www.wolfcreekski.com.
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