Sipapu Ski Resort offers ways for skiers and snowboarders to get on the slopes for free or with discounted passes. The resort offers free lift tickets for specific groups of skiers and snowboarders, and discounted season passes are on sale this fall.

Certain age groups can get free lift daily tickets at Sipapu by bringing proof of age to the ticket window. All fourth graders from anywhere ski free. New Mexico honor students, grades 1 through 12 ski free. Forty-year-olds from anywhere ski free. "Not 39-year-olds. Not 41-year-olds. Just 40-year-olds," Josie Lopez, guest services representative from the resort, told us.

Those purchasing Sipapu season passes during the super sale can get a bigger discount. Season passes for adults, students, kids, and seniors are on sale until Nov. 7. Rates run $109 to $399 depending on age. The prices go up after Nov. 7 by $50 until Dec. 17. Then the rates go up another $50 after Dec. 18.

Season passholders also get a perk with free ski days at other resorts. Three free days of lift tickets are available to be used at new partner resorts, which include Angel Fire, Monarch Mountain, Pajarito Mountain, Powderhorn Resort, Red River Ski Area, Ski Cooper, Sunlight Mountain Resort, and Ski Apache. Most of the resorts permit the free skiing days to be used any day during the 2010-11 season, but a couple of resorts have blackout restrictions.

Sipapu also provides on-mountain accommodations. Apartments, bunk rooms, and motel rooms are available.

More information. Or call 800-587-2240.