It’s no secret that our favorite winter pastimes are priced at a premium. Lift tickets, lodging, travel, après, rentals, lessons, gear—it adds up fast. If you don’t plan ahead, paying walk-up single-day lift-ticket prices can break the bank. Last season, single-day lift tickets cost upwards of $300.
But here is a secret—savvy families never pay top dollar. These kid-friendly deals can help you spend less, experience more and get more time together on the mountain.
June Mountain, California
Free season passes
(ages 12 and under)
Many resorts offer complimentary lift tickets for kids four and under, but Mammoth’s sister resort, June Mountain, provides any skier 12 or younger a free season pass, no strings attached. June is located just 15 miles from Mammoth, and it’s geared toward families. Short lift lines, abundant mellow vibes, and plenty of free kids’ activities like face painting, art projects, and hot cocoa make June a must-visit, especially on Saturdays, when Mammoth is packed to the gills.
Brian Head, Utah
Lift tickets as low as $29 per day (adults and kids)
plus first-day-free lodging
Here’s a deal unlike any we’ve seen. Brian Head offers free accommodations at the Brian Head Lodge on your arrival day when you purchase lift tickets ahead of time, to ensure no time is wasted getting to the slopes. Some restrictions apply. As a side benefit, Brian Head has some of the least expensive lift-ticket prices in the country, as low as $29 per day. It’s worth planning ahead to take advantage of this amazing deal.
Ikon Base Pass
$99 youth pass
(ages four and under)
$149 unlimited
(56 resorts, no blackout dates)
The Ikon Pass is arguably one of the most attractive passes out there. Ikon offers an incredible $99 base pass to kids four and under that gives them access to many of the best resorts in North America, including Mammoth, Palisades Tahoe, Bear Mountain, Copper Mountain, Sun Valley, and over 50 more. And for kids older than four, the next level up is a very affordable pass for youths ages 5–12 for $349.
Mountain Collective Pass
$200 pass
(ages 12 and under)
If you have a thirst for travel and want to experience the finest destinations, the Mountain Collective is for you. This is a hybrid-style pass that offers access to the cream of the crop, including Aspen Snowmass, Jackson Hole, Sun Valley, Alta, Chamonix, Banff Sunshine, Snowbird, and many more. While it isn’t an unlimited pass like Ikon or Epic Pass, it offers two tickets to 24 resorts for a grand total of 48 days. The best value we found is for kids 12 and under at only $200.
Epic Military Pass
$167 season pass
for active or retired military and their dependents
The Epic Pass is, in a word, epic. The network of major resorts includes legendary spots like Vail, Breckenridge, Kirkwood, Whistler-Blackcomb, Heavenly, and Stowe, to name a few. That’s not to mention destination resorts throughout Europe, Japan, and Australia. There are numerous Epic Passes to choose from, but one that stands out is the military and dependents pass, available to both active and retired personnel, at the rock-bottom price of $167.
Epic SchoolKids Colorado Pack
20 free lift tickets at five of Colorado’s top resorts
An amazing, completely free program for kids who are in kindergarten through the fifth grade that grants four free lift tickets at each of the following premier Colorado resorts: Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Crested Butte. After the school bell rings, kids can make use of this pass throughout the winter months.
Cali Pass
Free season pass
(ages five and under; requires adult pass purchase)
This is a lesser-known pass that offers great value for three awesome resorts in California: Mountain High, China Peak, and Dodge Ridge. In addition to unlimited skiing, Cali Pass holders receive three free days at 19 additional locations. That’s up to 57 bonus lift tickets. Catch you in California.
Ski Vermont
$30 Fifth Grade Passport
If your fifth grader is interested in visiting some of the best Northeast resorts, look no further than the Ski Vermont Passport. This special passport program entitles the holder more than 90 days of skiing for only $30! Broken down, that’s three days each at up to 30 resorts around Vermont. Best of all, you don’t have to be a Vermont resident to take advantage of this deal.
Purgatory, Colorado
$23 on Thanksgiving
Southern Colorado’s Purgatory Resort is offering the incredible price of $29 on many early-season days, as well as $39 midweek during the rest of the season (subject to change based on demand). Even better: the $23 price tag on Thanksgiving Day. So scarf down that turkey and get bucked in for a holiday on the slopes.
Indy Base Pass
$189 kids | $319 adults
at 120-plus resorts worldwide
The Indy Pass is a refreshing option that supports independently operated resorts in the U.S., Canada, and Japan. The pass includes two days at more than 120 resorts within the network. It will have you making turns all season long while avoiding lift lines at the mega resorts. Join the waitlist today to secure your season pass.
Power Kids Season Pass
Free for ages 12 and under
Here’s another great free option for kids ages 12 and under, no strings attached. The Power Kids Season Pass provides unlimited access to ten great family-style resorts, including Brian Head, Arizona Snowbowl, Purgatory, Lee Canyon in Las Vegas, Nevada, and more. Plus, they get unlimited free mountain biking at participating resorts.
Ski Utah Student Passport
$69 for 45 days
Many resorts have begun offering special discounts on passes for grade-schoolers, and the Ski Utah Student Passport might be the best value. Fourth, fifth, and sixth graders receive three tickets to each of Utah’s 15 resorts, including Brighton, Alta, Deer Valley, Park City, Powder Mountain, Snowbird, and several more.
Big Snow, New Jersey
Year-round skiing and snowboarding starting at $5999
It’s always 28 degrees, 365 days a year, inside the Big Snow resort. Only 30 minutes from Manhattan, Big Snow has a variety of kids’ programs, camps, lessons, and even a sledding hill. Access to the slopes can be purchased via daily tickets or monthly subscription-style. And with its close proximity to metropolitan areas, the true value comes in inexpensive day trips to Big Snow rather than pricey excursions to distant destination resorts.