Fourth and Fifth Grade: Ski & Ride for FREE in Pennsylvania

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Get out on the slopes this winter with the kids. Pennsylvania has brought back the fourth and fifth grade, Kids Ski Free program. The best part is you DO NOT have to be a Pennsylvania resident to qualify.

Kids Ski FREE

The Pennsylvania Ski Areas Association (SkiPA) wants to make it easy and fun for families to learn a new sport and stay active this winter.  The Snowpass program provides every fourth and fifth grader the opportunity to ski or snowboard for free, up to three times at 21 participating Pennsylvania area ski resorts, when accompanied by a paying adult.

Skiing and snowboarding offers families the opportunity to exercise outside together during the winter months. A ninety pound youth can burn between two and three hundred calories per hour skiing and / or snowboarding depending on their activity level.

Snowpass Details

The Snowpass contains (1) FREE Learn to Ski/Board package, which includes beginner lift ticket, lesson and equipment rental with a paying adult. And, also comes with 50% off one adult Learn to Ski/Snowboard package to the resort of choice. The program is not restricted to residents of Pennsylvania. Any fourth or fifth grade student can participate by completing a simple application and providing a report card or other document verifying they are currently in the fourth or fifth grade. A photo of the student is also required. You can apply online at www.skipa.com or download an application and apply by mail.  There is a
nominal administration/processing fee of $35 and $40 December 1, 2019 or after.  Quantities are limited.  Snowpasses are issued on a first come, first serve basis.  Details of the program including rules and black-out dates can be found on the SkiPA web site.

“We have found that fourth and fifth graders are at the ideal age to learn a new sport with ease and to excel rapidly,” said PSAA Executive Director Linda Irvin.  Through the Snowpass Program an on-mountain experience, students can see the lessons of their 4th & 5th grade science studies in action (such as water resources at work, geology structure, and the physics of lift mechanics).”

Participating Ski Resorts

• Bear Creek Mountain Resort, Macungie
• Big Boulder Resort, Blakeslee
• Blue Knob Resort, Claysburg
• Blue Mountain Resort, Palmerton
• Camelback Mountain Resort, Tannersville
• Elk Mountain, Union Dale
• Hidden Valley Resort, Hidden Valley
• Jack Frost Mountain, Blakeslee
• Laurel Mountain, Ligonier
• Liberty Mountain Resort, Carroll Valley
• Montage Mountain, Scranton
• Mount Pleasant, Cambridge Springs
• Mystic Mountain, Farmington
• Roundtop Mountain Resort, Lewisberry
• Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Seven Springs
• Shawnee Mountain, East Stroudsburg
• Ski Big Bear, Lackawaxen
• Ski Sawmill Family Resort, Morris
• Spring Mountain, Spring Mount
• Tussey Mountain, Boalsburg
• Whitetail Resort, Mercersburg

Win A Snowboard or Skis

SkiPA has partnered with SHEETZ and Gilson to give away over 100 FREE skis and snowboards.  The first 60 skiers and 60 snowboarders to reach five days on the mountain with their Snowpass will win a FREE Special Edition pair of Gilson Youth Skis or Gilson Snowboards. There is no need to enter, the Snowpass automatically counts the visits and winners will be posted here on the SkiPA web site.

Dust off your winter gear, and hit the slopes with SkiPA this season!