THE SKI NY SKI & RIDE PASSPORT PROGRAM

The SKI NY Passport Program-Kids Ski Free is back for the 2024-2025 Season! New this year is the program is good for 3rd, 4th and now 5th graders too … plus more ski areas are accepting it during holiday periods! Like in the past the Passport is valid seven days a week except for holiday periods at certain ski areas as noted. A full participation list, along with any exclusions, can be found at iskiny.com/ski-ride/ski-ny-ski-ride-passportprogram. In the Catskill Mountains, the Passport is accepted at Belleayre Mountain, Holiday Mountain, Plattekill Mountain, and Windham Mountain Club. Reservations are not required, but see the participating ski area list for specifics.

The program offers free skiing for your 3rd, 4th and 5th graders with an adult ticket purchase, and can be used up to two times per participating ski area. You do not need to be a New York resident to participate—kids from any state are welcome! A valid adult ticket purchase is one on the ski area website or at the ticket window and includes season passes as well. It does not include rentals or lessons. There are currently 31 participating ski areas in the program this season, with more to be added as the season progresses.

Since the 1999-2000 ski season, the SKI NY Ski & Ride Passport program has helped get over 50,000 kids to ski or snowboard with their families. The program has introduced a new generation to the lifelong activity of skiing and riding as well as creating family memories as a sport that everyone can enjoy.

These days, when kids spend most of their time in front of a screen inside, this sport encourages them to get outside and enjoy winter. It also gets parents who may have an interest in skiing or snowboarding to enjoy the sport with their kids or get them back on skis or boards if they haven’t been on them since before starting their family. It has been noted that children who start skiing or riding when they are young typically turn into skiers for life.

At the end of the 2021-22 ski season, over 500 parents responded to a survey given by SKI NY about how their kids enjoyed the program and if they would call themselves avid skiers. In almost all responses the parents noted that the kids enjoyed the program and would call themselves skiers for life. In fact, kids who started in the program in the inaugural year when it was called the “4th Grade Ski & Ride Passport Program” are now having their kids go into the program too!

During 2020-21, while other states stopped their kids’ programs, the SKI NY Board of Directors saw how important it was to get kids outside in the fresh air as a form of physical activity that they may not have been getting with schools shuttered. The Board decided to continue the program on weekdays only because of capacity concerns. Since many kids were learning from home instead of schools and parents were also working from home, parents were more flexible to take the kids skiing & riding during the week when crowds were less. This also gave the kids an outlet of having fun outside since all organized sports leagues and other facilities were shut down. Over 1,400 kids were able to take advantage of the program during the pandemic season and stuck with it since! Apply for the program at iskiny.com by clicking on the button that says “Click Here for Details and to Apply!”. During the process parents will upload proof of their child being in 3rd, 4th or 5th grade, provide a photo, and pay the $45 processing fee.

This year once again the Passport is a digital “card” that you can show on your phone or print off to take with you to the ski area and will include a photo of your child that you upload during the application on the Passport. Once your application is processed you will be emailed your Passport “digital card” that you can print or show on your phone. It is also available in your profile on our Passport system so you can access and email it to yourself anytime you wish.

Passport cards will arrive via email. It is also available in your child’s profile anytime too. Once you receive your Passport in your email you can show the PDF on your phone or print and take with you to the ski area. The ski area will record the 16 digit number and once approved will give your child a ticket when you purchase one. If you purchase your ticket ahead online just take your child to the ski area with the Passport and present with your ticket at the ski area ticket window or guest services for redemption.

There are no refunds—regardless of injury, weather or other factor and other items beyond our control. There will be no credits given for the next season.

If there are questions about the program send an email to passport@iskiny.com.

At the iskiny.com website there are full details on the program, including a full list of participating ski areas and frequently asked questions. The website also includes the latest ski conditions and mountain information, as well as safety information including the “Your Responsibility Code” that all skiers and riders should read and understand to ski and ride safely.

For over 20 years SKI NY has been helping encourage a new generation of skiers and riders to enjoy the great sport of skiing and riding. As we enter the second generation the future looks bright for New York skiing and riding. To find out more information about the program and New York skiing in general go to iskiny.com.