Put this on your radar for now or later—kids in grades third, fourth, or fifth can hit the slopes and get a ride on a ski lift completely free in New York. Yup, it’s true: the Learn to Ski & Ride Passport, a program created by Ski Areas of New York, helps kids have fun skiing or boarding for the season. With this program, kids receive a digital Passport that lets them ride the ski lift for free, giving them the opportunity to ski or board down bunny hills and beyond. There’s a processing fee to apply for the passport, but once you are approved, it’s time to hit the slopes. Read on for more information on this program and start planning your trip now. (featured photo credit: istock/Imgorthand)
Kids Can Ski For Free
How it works
If you have a child in 3rd, 4th, or 5th grades or entering those grades next season, then this is for you. With the SKI NY Passport Program, your grade schooler can ski for free with an adult who purchases a lift ticket at participating ski resorts around the state (and NJ!). To receive the passport, you need to fill out an application, including a photo of your child that will appear on the passport, pay the $45 processing fee, and wait for approval. Once you receive the passport, you can either show the PDF on your phone or print it to show at the resort.
When you can hit the slopes
The good news? Once your passport is in your hand, you are ready to go skiing. Luckily, this passport can be used seven days a week, except during holiday periods at certain ski areas, so make sure you check with the resort before you take the trip. Reservations are not required; however, some places may ask you to make one, so ensure you have this information. Keep in mind that the passport can be used only twice at each participating ski area, and a maximum of two passport holders can be with a paying adult. Also, you can’t transfer or resell the passport to anyone, including family members.
Ready to plan?
The good news? Most major ski resorts across the state (and a few in NJ, including the indoor ski mountain Big Snow at American Dream) participate in this program. Before you go, make sure you check with the resort to confirm that they do participate because things change from time to time.
Here are ski resorts you can visit during the ski season
New York
Belleayre Mountain
181 Galli Curci Road, Highmount, NY 12441
Bristol Mountain
5662 Route 64, Canandaigua, NY 14424
Buffalo Ski Center
7414 State Road, Colden, NY 14033
Catamount Mountain Resort
78 Catamount Rd, Hillsdale, NY 12529
Dry Hill Ski Area
18160 Alpine Ridge Rd, Watertown, NY, 13601
Gore Mountain
793 Peaceful Valley Rd, North Creek, NY 12853
Greek Peak Mountain Resort
2000 NYS Rt. 392, Cortland, NY 13045
Holiday Mountain
99 Holiday Mountain Road, Monticello, NY 12701
Holiday Valley Resort
6557 Holiday Valley Rd, Ellicottville, NY 14731
HoliMont
6921 Route 242 W, Ellicottville, NY, United States, 14731
Hunt Hollow
7532 Co Rd 36, Naples, NY 14512
Kissing Bridge Resort
10296 State Rd, Glenwood, NY 14069
Labrador Mountain
6935 NY-91, Truxton, NY 13158
Lapland Lake Cross Country Ski Center
139 Lapland Lake Rd, Northville, NY 12134
McCauley Mountain Ski Center
300 Mc Cauley Rd, Old Forge, NY 13420
Mount Peter
51 Old Mt Peter Rd, Warwick, NY 10990
Mt. Pisgah Recreation Center
92 Mt Pisgah Ln, Saranac Lake, NY 12983
Mt. Van Hoevenberg XC
220 Bobsled Run Ln, Lake Placid, NY 12946
Oak Mountain
141 Novosel Way, Speculator, NY 12164
Peek ’n Peak Resort
1405 Old Rd, Clymer, NY 14724
Plattekill Mountain
469 Plattekill Rd, Roxbury, NY 12474
Skaneateles Ski Club
2995 NY 174, Marietta, NY 13110
Snow Ridge Resort
4173 West Rd, Turin, NY 13473
Song Mountain
1 Song Mountain Rd, Tully, NY 13159
Swain Resort
2275 Co Rd 24, Swain, NY 14884
Thunder Ridge Ski Area
137 Birch Hill Rd, Patterson, NY 12563
West Mountain
59 West Mountain Road, Queensbury, NY 12804
Whiteface Mountain
Whiteface Memorial Hwy, Wilmington, NY 12997
Windham Mountain
19 Resort Dr, Windham, NY 12496
New Jersey
Big Snow American Dream
1 American Dream Way, E Rutherford, NJ 07073
Mountain Creek Resort
200 Route 94, Vernon, NJ 07462
