Ski Utah Helps Kids Ski for (Almost) Free
Lift Tickets for Fifth- and Sixth-graders
With a reputation for “The Greatest Snow on Earth,” Utah’s slopes attract people from all around the world, hoping to discover if the snow truly lives up to its reputation. For the past 20 years, young locals have also flocked to ski resorts across the state, many thanks to Ski Utah. The organization wants every child in Utah to experience the adrenaline rush of flying down a mountain of snow. To that end, they offer majorly discounted or free lift tickets to qualifying students.
Investing in the Future
The Ski Utah Passport program launched during the 1998-1999 ski season as an investment in the future of the sport among locals.
With the passport, each of Utah’s 14 participating ski resorts provide fifth-graders three free days of skiing or snowboarding and sixth-graders one free day (some blackout dates may apply). Besides lift tickets, the passport offers discounted lessons, equipment rental and other attractions for the passport holder, and in some cases, perks for parents and siblings.
Fifth- and sixth-graders were targeted because they’re at an important point in their growth and development — a time when healthy lifestyle activities can become long-term habits. “Humans were meant to stay active — even in winter — and there’s no better way than to ski or snowboard in Utah’s beautiful mountains,” says Raelene Davis, vice president of marketing for Ski Utah.
Giving Back to the Community
Because of the Ski Utah Learn to Ski & Ride Program offered to fourth-graders, many fifth- and sixth-graders are familiar with ski or snowboard fundamentals. The Ski Utah Passports help students continue to improve and practice at an affordable cost at ski resorts around the state.
“It is rewarding to meet people who tell me, ‘I started skiing because of the passport program and now I’m a skier,’ or to have parents thank us and say they wouldn’t have been able to afford helping their child ski if it weren’t for the program,” says Davis, who helped design the Ski Utah Passports program. “Those are satisfying things to hear. To know that the industry is giving back to the community makes it all worth it.”
New Digital Passports Add Convenience
Starting this year, the passports are digital. This makes it easier and quicker for parents to help their child apply and redeem lift tickets. It also fosters better communication with parents about special deals and promotions throughout the season.
To learn more and apply for a passport, visit skiutah.com. Applications are generally available in September each season. A $45 administrative fee is assessed. Apply early so your children don’t miss any days on the mountain.