It's good to be a fifth- or sixth-grader in Colorado. Registration is now open for kids in either of those two grade levels to take advantage of a generous program provided by Colorado Ski County USA, the state's ski trade association, to ski for free or at an extremely reduced rate. Colorado Ski Country USA's Passport Program allows fifth-graders three free days at each of the 20 participating resorts, while sixth-graders can take advantage of four days each at the same resorts for $99. If sixth-graders (and their parents) are able to carve out the time to take advantage of all of those days, that amounts to only $1.24 per day. Fifth-graders get even more perks to help them jump into the sport.
Passport Program participants in either grade can take advantage of one free daily equipment rental from one of the program's new sponsors, Christy Sports. Fifth-graders get an extra nudge with Colorado Ski Country USA's First Class Lesson program, which students who have never skied or snowboarded before can use to redeem a free lesson and a free equipment rental in January. The First Class program is available at 17 of the 20 participating resorts.
For more details or to sign up for Colorado Ski Country USA's Passport Program, visit www.coloradoski.com/Passport.
The resorts participating in the Passport Program include: Arapahoe Basin, Aspen Highlands, Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, Cooper, Copper Mountain, Crested Butte, Eldora, Howelsen Hill, Loveland, Monarch, Powderhorn, Purgatory, Ski Granby Ranch, Snowmass, Steamboat, Sunlight, Telluride, Winter Park and Wolf Creek.
· Colorado Ski Country USA Passport Program [Official site]