Best Ski Resorts for Kids: Where Kids 12 and Under Ski for Free

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Skiing and snowboarding are expensive hobbies, and they add up even more quickly once you start bringing kids along. Even if you don’t do lessons for the kids, lift tickets and gear rentals aren’t cheap. The good news is that a lot of ski resorts let young kids (usually 5 and under) ski for free with an adult who buys a pass. But even better, there are a handful of ski resorts that allow all kids to ski for free. This blog post focuses on the best ski resorts for kids in terms of pricing and location.

If you want to give your kids a fun ski experience, but without taking a huge hit in your bank account, consider visiting one of these budget-friendly ski resorts.

And as an added bonus, check out my ski trip packing list to help make the packing for your ski trip a lot easier.

June Mountain, California

I have written blog posts about June Lake and how much I love visiting there any time of year. The family-friendly ski resort in this cute mountain town is just one of the reasons why I love it so much. June Mountain gives all kids 12 and under a free annual pass. So they can hit the slopes as often as they please–no strings attached. That surely makes this one of the best ski resorts for kids in the U.S. Check out my post about skiing at June Mountain for all the information you need to know.

Brian Head Ski Resort – One of the best ski resorts for kids and families

Perhaps the biggest surprise to me as a Southern Californian (where skiing and snowboarding is an expensive novelty), is that the Brian Head Ski Resort offers free lift tickets to all kids 12 and under–even without the purchase of an adult ticket! Check out these family-friendly and affordable Brian Head ski resort hotels if you’re thinking of going there as well.

Keystone Resort – A Family Ski Paradise

Nestled in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, Keystone Resort is a standout option for families who want big mountain access and budget-friendly perks. It’s one of the best ski resorts in Colorado, and for good reason.

One of the biggest draws? Kids 12 and under ski free all season long when you stay two or more nights in lodging booked directly with Keystone. Plus, not only do you get one free lift ticket for a child aged 12 or under for that two-night stay, but you can also earn an extra free ski day with each additional night booked. No blackout dates and no tricky restrictions. It’s an easy way to stretch your ski vacation dollar.

Beyond the cost savings, Keystone is family-focused, and tops my list of the best family ski resorts in North America. It has lots of beginner terrain, night skiing, kid-friendly amenities, and lodging options that work well with families. Plus, its “Kids Ski Free” deal makes Keystone very competitive among resorts for families traveling with younger skiers.

Power Kids Pass – Free Season Passes – Utah, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico

The Power Kids Season Pass is definitely one of the best deals out there. It gets your child free access to any of the following ski resorts: Purgatory, Brian Head Resort, Arizona Snowbowl, Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort, Lee Canyon, Pajarito Mountain Ski Area, Hesperus Mountain Ski Area, Nordic Valley, Willamette Pass Resort and Spider Mountain Bike Park. And it’s completely free for kids 12 and under. No purchase required and no black out dates. The beginner slopes you’ll find, plus the option to ski for free, is more than enough reason these are among the best ski resorts for kids.

Epic SchoolKids Colorado Pack

This great deal provides 4 free days of skiing at each of the 5 top-ranked Colorado ski resorts. It’s for kids who are enrolled in Kindergarten through 5th grade during the current/upcoming ski season. Even better, it allows one free lesson and free rental package for first-time skiiers. The included resorts are Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Crested Butte.

Check out this list of the best family resorts in Colorado to help complete your ski trip planning.

Note: The Epic SchoolKids Colorado Pack needs to be registered for in the fall, and you do not need to be a Colorado resident to apply. However, and this is a biggie, you do need to bring the kids to an Epic Mountain Gear location in Colorado before a set date in October. If you can tie this into a skiing trip, it might make it worth it. Otherwise, this can be a big added expense. You also only need to do this the first year you apply. After that, kids can be renewed via email.

Epic SchoolKids Utah Pack – Park City

Like the Colorado Pack, the Epic SchoolKids Utah Pack is available for children enrolled in kindergarten through 5th grade. However, this deal is only for Utah residents. This pack grants free skiing for kids at Park City, with no purchase necessary. And first timers can also enjoy a free lesson and free rental package.

Note: The registration window takes place in the fall.

Ski Utah Pass – Gives you access to some of the best ski resorts for kids

Another option, although not free, is the Ski Utah Pass. Students who are in grades 4, 5, or 6 can ski for three days at each of Utah’s 15 resorts for a one-time fee of $89. That’s 45 days of skiing for $89. And you can be a student anywhere. The 15 ski resorts consist of: Alta Ski Area, Brighton Resort, Beaver Mountain, Brian Head Resort, Cherry Peak Resort, Deer Valley Resort, Eagle Point, Nordic Valley Resort, Park City Mountain, Powder Mountain, Snowbasin Resort, Snowbird, Solitude, Sundance Resort and Woodward Park City.

Knowing what deals exist can help you determine which ski resorts are the best ski resorts for kids to learn on. When my kids were first starting out, it was so nice not to spend a thousand dollars just to risk if they were going to like it or be able to hang longer than an hour.

Final Thoughts

Any time you can get free lift tickets for the kids, it’s a huge win in my opinion. Some of these are easier than others to get, but with some planning, any of them are doable.

For more inspiration for a family ski trip, check out my post about Telluride, Colorado. While it’s definitely not free (it’s one of the pricier ski towns), it is a skier’s paradise and will make for a memorable winter family vacation.