Kids Ski Free or Almost Free All Season Long in the West. If creating a winter snow break is part of your family’s plan view the best resort locations, benefits, and highlights of ‘kids ski free’ programs in in Idaho, New Mexico, Montana, and Oregon.

 
Here’s the scoop. It’s true nothing is absolutely free but many ski resorts offer unique savings for parents or grandparents who plan to ski with their young companions. From our own research and reader feedback we have assembled a list of ‘Kids Ski Free’ or almost free offers in New Mexico, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon. The ski deals Colorado, California, and Utah appear on separate pages. The best bet is to checkout your favorite mountain location for the most current ski deals but if you are looking for something new our short list has several options for winter family fun at a savings.

Dollar Mountain. Sun Valley Resort maintains a reputation as one of the premier training mountains in the country and Sun Valley's SnowSports School offers a fun, safe, and supportive environment for children to learn essential skills. Here’s the deal. Kids 15 and younger ski free all season with a paying adult. The savings requires a stay at the Sun Valley Resort where one child in the same room with a parent stays and skis for free (or two in a condo). The child is entitled to a free lift ticket for the same number of days that the parent has purchased. There are a few blackout days. Bonus Points: Kids ages four and younger ski free on Dollar Mtn. with paying adult. (Toll-free 1-800-894-9931 or www.sunvalley.com) 

Big Sky Resort. In addition to skiing and boarding, day adventures include trips to Yellowstone Park, dog sledding, sleigh rides, Saturday evening fireworks. Here’s the deal. Kids five or younger always ski free and kids ages six to 10 ski free when a family stay is booked with Big Sky central reservations or the child participates in an all-day Mountain Sports lesson. Bonus Points: Enjoy free family movies shown twice a week in the Roosevelt Amphitheater.(Toll-free 1-800548-4486 or  www.bigskymontana.org)

 
Whitefish Mountain Resort. In addition to great skiing for all skill levels Whitefish also offers lessons, snowmobiling, glacier tours, snowcat adventures, sleigh rides and dog sledding. Here’s the deal. Kids six years of age or younger ski free all season and those 70 plus also ski free. (Toll-free 1-877-SKI-FISH or www.skiwhitefish.com) 

Angel Fire Resort. Angel Fire in northern New Mexico is one of the very best Southern Rockies ski destinations for families offering lessons, skiing, boarding, tubing, sledding, and Nordic adventures. Here’s the deal. Kids six or younger ski for free all season long, plus 5th graders ski and snowboard for free with a paying, accompanying adult. Bonus Points: At Angel Fire grandparents older than 70 ski for free.(Toll-free 1-800-633-7463 or www.angelfire.com)

Mt. Bachelor. The Snowsports School at Mt. Bachelor offers a ‘Kids Ski 3’ program designed for families taking advantage of the Kids Ski Free 12 & under multi-day tickets. The program is available throughout the season (no blackout dates), but a four-day advance purchase is required. Here’s the deal. Kids 12 and younger ski free all season the same number of days as their parents with the purchase of a three – day (or more) adult lift ticket - one child per adult ticket. While there are no blackout days tickets must be purchased in advance online and each eligible family member must be present in order to receive tickets at ticket window. (Toll-free 1-800- 829-2442 or www.mtbachelor.com)

For more winter family vacation ideas or ski deals browse Snow Places or Family Vacation Deals.