Updated 09/14/2019 - Did you know there are several ways your kids can ski for free in PA? If they are in 4th grade, they've can ski all season for free at Spring Mountain (in Spring Mount, PA) and they can also take advantage of 3 free lift tickets at each of 20 different ski resorts. This is a HUGE DEAL! If your child is in 5th grade they do not quality for the Spring Mountain free season pass, but they do qualify for the 3 free lift tickets at each of the 20 participating ski resorts.
- The Pennsylvania Ski Areas Association offers a Snowpass Program to 4th AND 5th graders. The following resorts are participating for the 2019-2020 season (subject to change): Bear Creek Mountain Resort, Big Boulder, Blue Knob Resort, Blue Mountain Resort, Camelback Resort, Elk Mountain, Hidden Valley Resort, Jack Frost Mountain, Laurel Mountain, Liberty Mountain Resort, Montage Mountain, Mount Pleasant, Mystic Mountain, Roundtop Mountain Resort, Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Shawnee Mountain, Ski Big Bear, Ski Sawmill Family Resort, Spring Mountain, Tussey Mountain and Whitetail Resort. Each resort has specific rules, check those out here. This also includes one free "Learn to ski/board" package (includes beginner lift, lesson & rental equipment).
- Submit your application online, including a copy of your child's report card showing they are in 4th or 5th grade (last year's report card is valid to show they completed 3rd grade if going into 4th this year). Include a color photo of child.
- You can also print and mail in your application. The form can be found here.
- Spring Mountain offers a free season pass to local 4th graders. They are participating in the PA Ski Free Program above, but also allowing 4th graders to ski all season for free at their resort once you've signed up for the PA SKI pass above.
Remember, rentals are not included in either of the above deals (except for the "learn to ski package" at the participating PA ski resorts). And the cost of rentals add up, as well as uses up time while you stand in line to pick up skis from a resort (trust me, we've wasted 1.5 hours standing in the rental line... never again!). For kids under 12, they are $28 for a day at Spring Mountain and $35 for a day at Blue Mountain (our favorite). If you are signing your children up for one of these ski pass programs, I strongly encourage you to consider purchasing a season-long rental.
But skiing together as a family has been so fun! We've logged many hours together out there, although now the boys in our family snowboard, while the girls ski.
But skiing together as a family has been so fun! We've logged many hours together out there, although now the boys in our family snowboard, while the girls ski.
