I was talking to a friend who recently moved from New Mexico to Colorado and wants to get her four kids on the slopes. However, she lamented the cost of taking them and I couldn’t blame her. Colorado’s ski areas have long touted their fifth grade passport programs to offer free skiing/riding and most resorts offer free skiing to kids 5 and under but what about the rest of them?
Vail Resorts recently made a groundbreaking announcement: They reimagined their School of Shred to now include all kindergarteners through fifth graders. Renamed “Epic SchoolKids Colorado Pack”, the program provides four days of free skiing and riding at each of the best resorts in their backyard – Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone for the 2015-2016 winter season. Yep, that’s 16 free days per student.
Here’s what you need to know:
Where and when do you sign up?
Kids simply need to bring their mom, dad or guardian in to participating Front Range Colorado Ski & Golf, Colorado Ski & Sport and Boulder Ski Deals locations between now and Memorial Day. Note: You may not sign up for someone else; all eligible kids must be present and the pass will be mailed within 4-6 weeks.
What do I need to bring?
- The child must be present at the time of registration
- A physical copy of the student report card/transcript/school ID or birth certificate for staff to collect and retain
- A physical photo of the student (no sunglasses, hats or others in the photo) for staff to collect and retain
What if my child doesn’t know how to ski or snowboard?
The program offers one FREE first-timer lesson and rental. The lesson is valid for a one-time first-timer lesson at a single resort (not one lesson at each resort.) Advanced reservations are required. First-timer lessons and rentals are available from 01/05/16 – 01/31/16 as a part of “Learn to Ski and Snowboard” Month (not available 1/15/16-1/17/16.) The free rental and first-timer lesson must be redeemed as a package and are only valid for a one-time use.
Are there blackout dates for the pass?
Holiday restrictions apply including 11/27/15-11/28/15, 12/26/15-12/31/15, 1/16/16 and 2/13/16-2/14/16. The first-timer lesson is only available from 1/5/16-1/31/16 as a part of “Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month” and is not available 1/1-1/4/16 or 1/15/16-1/17/16.
To learn more about the program, visit EpicSchoolKids.com. Photo: Carl Scofield
Author: Amber Johnson
Amber is the founder and editor of Mile High Mamas, travel writer and former columnist for The Denver Post. She is a passionate community builder and loves the outdoors. She has two awesome teens and is happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin.
