Skiing, to no one’s surprise, isn’t exactly an affordable sport. Even the cost of a ski weekend, let alone regular participation, can add up after you factor in travel, lodging, rentals, lift tickets, and food and drinks. Nevertheless, there are ways that you can ski affordably, and in some cases, you can even ski for free. North America resorts, multi-resort passes, outdoor brands, and others offer programs to make skiing and snowboarding more accessible than ever. Below, we break down many of the different ways that you can score a free lift ticket at North America ski resorts.
Fly Alaska, Ski For Free
Simply taking an Alaska Airlines flight is one of the easiest ways to ski for free at some of North America’s top ski resorts. Alaska Airlines offers a free single-day lift ticket when you book a flight to certain ski destinations during the winter. Some of the participating resorts may also offer a free night skiing ticket or discounts on rentals and lodging. Terms and conditions, and blackout dates, vary by destination, so you’ll want to double-check Alaska’s website before booking.
This is a fantastic option if you’re already planning to fly to a ski destination since it combines your travel costs with an added benefit. As of the publication of this article, Alaska has partnerships for free lift tickets at the following ski resorts.
- Eaglecrest. Valid through April 14, 2025 flying through Juneau International Airport.
- Marmot Basin. Valid through April 30, 2025 flying through Edmonton International Airport.
- Red Mountain. Valid through April 7, 2025 flying through Spokane International Airport.
- SkiBig3 (Lake Louise, Banff Sunshine, Mt. Norquay). Valid through April 15, 2025.
- Sun Peaks Resort. Valid through April 13, 2025 flying through Kelowna International Airport.
- Steamboat Ski Resort. No date restrictions, though only valid for a night skiing ticket when flying through Yampa Valley Regional Airport.
- Bogus Basin. Valid for flying through Boise Airport with no date restrictions.
- Schweitzer. Valid for flying through Spokane International Airport with no date restrictions.
- Jackson Hole Mountain. Valid through April 13, 2025 for flying through Jackson Hole Airport.
Where Seniors Can Ski Free
Ski resorts across North America offer free skiing for children and seniors, which is a huge perk for families and those more seasoned skiers who don’t have a season pass. Double-check the resort’s policies, age requirements, and blackout dates, as they can vary season to season. On the East Coast, seniors over 80 can ski for free with a valid ID at Killington, New Hampshire residents over 65 can ski for free mid-week at Cannon Mountain, those over 70 can ski for free at Shawnee Mountain, and seniors over 75 can ski for free at Swain Resort. Out West, Mountain High and Mt. Hood Meadows are among the ski resorts that offer free skiing for seniors over 75. Taos Ski Valley and Mammoth offer free skiing for seniors over the age of 80.
Check out Lodging options at Killington | Cannon Mountain | Mt. Hood | Taos | Mammoth
Where Kids Can Ski Free
Many of North America’s top ski resorts also offer free skiing for kids. Sun Valley offers free skiing for kids under 12 who are accompanied by a paying adult. Kids under six can ski for free at Jackson Hole, Swain, and Taos, while kids under four can ski for free at Mammoth. Big Sky has a “Kids Ski Free” program for children under 10 whose families have booked on-property accommodations for a minimum number of nights. Many smaller ski areas run similar programs.
Alterra hosted a Kids Ski Free Week program at the beginning of the season from December 7-13, 2024. A total of 15 Ikon Pass resorts participated in the week across North America, with free lift tickets available at Winter Park, Snow Valley, Stratton, Sugarbush, Crystal Mountain, and more. Kids under 12 received a free lift ticket each day during the week, with different destinations offering a variety of promotions and deals. Be on the lookout for this new initiative continuing next season. Jared Smith, President & CEO of Alterra Mountain Company, said in a press release, “We hope Kids Ski Free Week ignites an excitement around skiing and snowboarding and helps start a lifelong passion the entire family can enjoy for years to come.”
Check out Lodging options at Sun Valley | Winter Park | Snow Valley | Sugarbush | Crystal Mountain
Ski For Free With Lodging Deals
As we mentioned above, some ski resorts offer a free lift ticket for kids when their family has booked on-property lodging. However, some resorts offer lift tickets for adults, too. At Brian Head, guests who book a minimum two-night stay at the Brian Head Lodge are eligible for free lift tickets. Those who book a queen room can receive four free lift tickets while those who book a king room receive two lift tickets. Use promo code “freedomtoski” at checkout. Learn more on their website.
In Montana, Kalispell is offering two lift tickets to Blacktail Mountain Ski Area for adults who book a minimum of two consecutive nights at a Kalispell hotel. Specific details about the promotion can be found here. Similar programs are offered at the Omni Mount Washington Resort & Spa for skiing and riding at Bretton Woods.
Check out Lodging options at Brian Head | Bretton Woods
Select Free Skiing Days
Some ski resorts offer free ski days on select days during the season, though these are harder to come by. Nevertheless they are great opportunities to enjoy a small ski area on a budget. Howelsen Hill, in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, has ‘Free Skiing Sundays’ every season. This 9-year tradition implemented by the Steamboat City Council is a great way to experience one of America’s oldest operating ski resorts. Note that Howelsen Hill’s terrain is largely for beginners and those learning to ski. Elsewhere, Mountain High, in California, lets guests ski for free on their birthday with valid ID proof.
At Storrs Hill Ski Area in New Hampshire, a generous donation to the Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation allows for numerous opportunities to ski and ride for free all season long. Skiing will be free on Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the entire 2024-25 season. Cory Grant, President of the Lebanon Outing Club and Hill Manager, said in a press release, “We hope this initiative brings neighbors together and inspires a love of skiing in a fun and accessible way.” The Lebanon Outing Club (LOC) is the non-profit organization that manages and funds operations at Storrs Hill, which is dedicated to providing affordable, family-friendly recreation opportunities for winter sports enthusiasts.
Additionally, it’s always a good idea to check local listings, resort websites, and social media pages for announcements on free skiing events or promotions.
Ski Free When You Purchase A Helly Hansen Jacket
Some ski brands have creative partnerships with resorts, offering free skiing for customers who purchase certain items. One such deal is with Helly Hansen, the popular outdoor brand. Buy a ski jacket or pants from the latest Helly Hansen ski collection and enjoy a lift ticket to one of 50 resorts in Europe or North America. The exact resorts and timing can vary, so double-check Helly Hansen’s website for more details and a complete list of participating resorts.
Recent resorts have included Alyeska, Attitash Mountain, Boyne Mountain, Fernie Alpine Resort, Gstaad, Hunter Mountain, Jay Peak, June Mountain, Kicking Horse, Kvitfjell, Sugarloaf, Wachusett and more. After purchasing, shoppers can upload a picture of their receipt to the Helly Hansen website to get their free day of skiing or riding.
Free Skiing On Multi-Resort Passes
Multi-resort ski passes often include great perks, and in some cases, they offer passes for free. Most notably, the Power Pass, which is a multi-resort ski pass featuring ski areas in the U.S. and Chile, has a couple of completely free passes with no blackout dates or strings attached. Children 12 and younger can ski for free at all of its resorts, while seniors 75 and over can enjoy unlimited skiing at Purgatory, Snowbowl, Brian Head, Sipapu, Pajarito, Nordic Valley, Lee Canyon, and Willamette Pass in the U.S. and Valle Nevado and La Parva in Chile. Read our comprehensive Power Pass Guide for more info.
Local Community Programs And Other Initiatives
Some local ski areas and smaller mountains have community programs designed to give back and offer free skiing days. They are often on specific days when locals or members of certain communities can ski for free or at a steep discount. These events might be tied to charity events or offered as a thank you to local skiers for their support. Other ski areas offer free skiing for individuals who volunteer in certain capacities, such as working at the resort for a day or assisting with ski patrol. Adaptive Sports at Waterville Valley, for example, offers its volunteers a free season pass after helping out for 15 days. Programs like these are excellent ways to give back to local ski communities while also scoring free lift tickets or passes.
Winter Park also has an on-mountain volunteer program with roles in customer service and guided tours. Volunteers receive a Winter Park pass and are also eligible for other resort benefits and discounts. For the past two summers, Mad River Glen has hosted Volunteer Mountain Work Days that involve cleaning and cutting trails at the resort to prepare for the ski season. This opportunity involves a bit more manual labor, but volunteers receive a complimentary day pass for each day they work.
Conclusion
Skiing doesn’t have to break the bank, and as you can see, there are plenty of opportunities to ski for free across North America and even Europe. From promotional partnerships with airlines and brands to special programs for kids and seniors, you can find ways to hit the slopes without paying for a lift ticket. Whether you’re a seasoned skier or a first-timer, be sure to check out these free ski days and deals for your next trip to the mountain. And, of course, always double-check the latest offers, as many of these promotions are subject to change from year to year. For more recommendations, check out our list of The Most Affordable Ski Resorts in the U.S.
January 12, 2025
