Best Ski Free Deals for Families in 2014
San Francisco, California (PRWEB) December 30, 2013 -- Whether your kids can schuss down a difficult run or have never set eyes on a bunny hill, family ski trips are magical. But they can also take a bite out of your bank account — lift tickets, ski school, gear and more drive the price tag upward in a hurry.
The good news? Lots of resorts offer family ski vacation deals and “kids ski free” packages that make a trip to the slopes much easier on the wallet. Although some limit the deals to younger kids, others extend them into the tween years. Just be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully to avoid an expensive surprise.
The family travel experts at Ciao Bambino round up favorite North American ski resorts offering compelling family ski deals in 2014:
CANADA
Whistler/Blackcomb
What: Kids 12 and under ski free
Fine Print: Valid November 15-December 20, 2013. One free child per paying adult (minimum 3-day lift ticket); one free child gear rental per paying adult rental (minimum 3 days); one free child transfer per paying adult transfer (must be equivalent to adult rate). For more information go to WhisterBlackcomb.com.
CALIFORNIA
Diamond Peak
What: Kids 6 and under ski free all season
Fine Print: No specific rules published. For more information go to DiamondPeak.com.
Mammoth Mountain
What: Kids 6 and under ski free all season
Fine Print: Proof of birthdate may be required. For more information go to MammothMountain.com.
Northstar California
What: Kids 4 and under ski free all season
Fine print: Children 4 and under ski free. Collect free tickets at any ticket window. For more information go to NorthstarCalifornia.com.
Squaw Valley
What: Kids 12 and under ski free
Fine print: Rate includes (2) adult 4-day lift tickets and (2) free child 4-day lift tickets. Offer valid for stays now through 4/26/14. Not valid for stays on following dates: 1/17-19/2014, 2/15-22/2014, 3/12-13/2014, 3/21-22/2014, 4/4-4/5, 2014. Additional blackout dates may apply. For more information go to Squaw.com.
COLORADO
Aspen/Snowmass
What: Kids 6 and under ski free all season; kids 7-12 ski free March 8-April 20
Fine Print: Kids must accompany a full paying adult (minimum 3-day lift ticket). Kids 7-12 stay free with purchase of lodging and 3-day lift ticket. Includes equipment rentals with comparable adult package. Book by February 28, 2014 (for March); March 24, 2014 (for April): Valid March 8 – April 20, 2014. For more information go to AspenSnowmass.com.
Copper Mountain
What: Kids 12 and under ski free November 1-April 20
Fine print: Offer valid on stays 11/1/13 – 4/20/14. Minimum 3-night stay required. For more information go to CopperColorado.com.
Crested Butte
What: Kids 6 and under ski free all season
Fine print: No specific rules published. For more information go to SkiCB.com.
Keystone Resort
What: Kids 12 and under ski free all season
Fine Print: Minimum two-night stay required and families must stay at lodging owned and operated by Keystone Resort. No blackout dates. Pick up tickets at check-in. For more information go to KeystoneResort.com.
Steamboat
What: Kids 12 and under ski free all season
Fine Print: Kids 12 and under ski free the same number of days as their parents/grandparents when parents/grandparents purchase a 5-or-more day adult lift ticket. Each qualifying purchase allows one free child per paid parent/grandparent. Children ages 5 and under always ski free but are required to have a ticket. For more information go to Steamboat.com.
Winter Park
What: Kids 6-12 ski free
Fine Print: Valid for stays November 13, 2013 through December 20, 2013, with a 2-night minimum stay required. One-day minimum adult lift ticket required. One free child lift ticket (ages 6-12) with each paying adult lift ticket (ages 13-64). Lift tickets valid only during period specified above. For more information go to WinterParkResort.com.
IDAHO
Sun Valley
What: Kids 15 and under ski free all season
Fine Print: Requires a stay at the Sun Valley Resort this winter season. One child in the same room with a parent stays and skis free (15 years of age and under). A child will receive a lift ticket for the same number of days the parent has purchased. Blackout dates apply: December 21, 2013 to January 5, 2014 and February 14 to February 23, 2014. For more information go to SunValley.com.
MAINE
Sugarloaf
What: Kids 12 and under ski free all season
Fine print: Book any ski and stay package for 2 or more nights by December 16, 2013, and kids’ lift tickets are free. No blackout dates. For more information go to SugarLoaf.com.
MONTANA
Big Sky Resort
What: Kids 10 and under ski free all season
Fine Print: Kids 5 and under always ski free. Kids ages 6-10 only ski free when staying with Big Sky Central Reservations or all day with their Mountain Sports lesson. For more information go to BigSkyMontana.com.
Whitefish
What: Kids 6 and under ski free all season
Fine print: Free ticket required. For more information go to SkiWhitefish.com.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Bretton Woods
What: Kids 4 and under ski free all season
Fine print: Must accompany a paying adult. For more information go to BrettonWoods.com.
OREGON
Mt. Bachelor
What: Kids 12 and under ski free all season
Fine Print: Kids ski free the same number of days as their parents with the purchase of a 3-or-more day adult lift ticket. Must purchase a discounted adult 3-out-of-5, 4-out-of-6, 5-out-of-7, or 6-out-of-8 multi-day ticket online at least 4 days in advance of your first ski day at Mt. Bachelor. No blackouts or restrictions. All family members must be present in order to receive tickets at ticket window. For more information go to MtBachelor.com.
UTAH
Brighton Resort
What: Kids 7 and under ski free all season
Fine Print: No specific rules published. For more information go to BrightonResort.com.
Park City Mountain Resort
What: Kids 6 and under ski free all season
Fine Print: Children 6 and under need to have a valid lift ticket. Available at any ticket window or season pass office. For more information go to ParkCityMountain.com.
Snowbasin
What: Kids 6 and under ski free
Fine print: No specific rules published. For more information go to Snowbasin.com.
Snowbird
What: Kids 12 and under ski free all season
Fine Print: Kids ski free during dates of stay. Some minimum stays apply. For more information go to Snowbird.com.
Solitude
What: Kids 13 and under ski free all season except holiday weeks
Fine print: Minimum 2-night stay required. One free kids’ ticket per paid adult, up to two free lift tickets per day per reservation. Not valid holiday weeks. For more information go to SkiSolitude.com.
VERMONT
Killington
What: Kids 12 and under ski free all season long
Fine Print: Kids ages 6-12 ski and ride free when parents pre-purchase prior to arrival a 5-day or longer lift ticket. Offer is not valid when any of the days is a peak day: December 21, 2013-January 1, 2014; January 18-20, 2014; February 15-21, 2014. One free child per paid parent. Kids 5 and younger always ski and ride free when accompanied by an adult. For more information go to Killington.com.
Okemo
What: Kids 6 and under ski free all season
Fine Print: Free kids’ tickets available at any ticket window. Child must be present. For more information Okemo.com.
Stowe
What: Kids 5 and under ski free all season
Fine print: Must be accompanied by a paid parent or guardian. For more information go to Stowe.com.
Copy by Lisa Frederick. Photo courtesy of Steamboat Ski resort
Ciao Bambino! Inc. is a leading family travel brand and global family travel planning website. Their award-winning guide features best-in-class family-friendly hotel reviews and a comprehensive family travel blog offering tips, news, and narratives related to traveling with kids of all ages. CiaoBambino.com is the only dedicated family travel resource offering an online booking service for readers who are able to make requests directly from the site to over 300 parent-approved hotels and resorts for best available pricing. Ciao Bambino also offers Family Vacation Consultants who can help families plan their vacation. Ciao Bambino specializes in reviewing family luxury hotels. Follow Ciao Bambino on Twitter @CiaoBambino and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CiaoBambino.
Amie OShaughnessy, Ciao Bambino!, http://www.ciaobambino.com, +1 5102277063, [email protected]
Share this article