Seven Ski Vacation Deals for Families - All the Fun Is Included. Kids stay and ski free, really? Yes, really. For the upcoming snow season many destinations are offering extra travel benefits for families. 

Here’s the scoop. We are watching for the season’s best "snowy" family vacations and the latest ski deals for families including ski free days, kids stay free, and free snow tubing times. I have assembled a few that show promise even if the fine print includes some blackout dates. 

Killington Resort & Pico Mountain Kids Ski Free in Vermont. New at Killington is the $3.5 million Snowshed Adventure Center, boasting a nearly mile-long Beast Mountain Coaster, a soaring Skyeride more than 100 feet above Snowshed Pond, and a four-story Skye Ropes Course. Bonus Points: Kid Ski Free. With each pre-purchased 5-day or longer adult lift ticket, one child age 7-12 receives a free lift ticket for the same number of days and dates as the adult (age 6 and under always ski free). Blackout dates apply but one day of your 5-day or longer Killington lift ticket may be used at Okemo Mountain Resort. Here’s the deal. The Ski & Stay, 5 Nights or Longer package saves up to 33% on lodging and lift tickets, plus lessons, rentals and kids programs. (Available until April 2017) Details at 1-800-621-MTNS or www.killington.com

Tahoe Chalet Inn Free Lifts in California. Just five minutes from the Nevada/California State line, Tahoe Chalet Inn is a charming boutique hotel with coveted location close to ski resorts, Heavenly and Sierra both offering plenty of great skiing and snowboarding. Here’s the deal. Their ski packages accommodation in double queen room and two adults lift passes, complimentary continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Bonus Points: Additional ski lift passes are available at the front desk for young adults and children. Details  at Tahoe Chalet Inn 3860 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, California 96150. (530) 544-3311 or www.tahoechaletinn.com

Ski Free at Winterplace in West Virginia. Off grid definitely describes a family winter holiday in Southern West Virginia. It’s an affordable and easy paced spot with oodles of options for families who want an active family vacation. In addition to hiking and cavern adventures add skiing, boarding, and tubing to the list. Bonus Points: Winterplace is the home to the largest snow tubing park in West Virginia and that fact alone should make you want to pack the kids in the van and escape. Here’s the deal: Receive up to two lift tickets for Winterplace ski resort for each night you stay at Glade Springs. Resort at Glade Springs Toll-free 1-888-477-3424 or www.gladesprings.com

Cataloochee Ski Area where kids ski free in North Carolina. Located in the heart of Western North Carolina, Haywood County offers families four seasons of vacation fun. Cataloochee Ski Area, at the heart of the region anchors the fun. No need to worry about bare slopes when Mother Nature is too busy to scatter the needed white stuff the elves at Cataloochee make their own. Here’s the deal: Participants must be staying at a participating Haywood County accommodation to receive the voucher to be redeemed at Cataloochee. Bonus Points: Starting in January, every Wednesday is Family Day at Cataloochee and a child 17 or younger receives a free lift ticket when accompanied by a parent purchasing a full price day, twilight or night lift ticket. Details at www.cataloochee.com or www.kidsskifree.com

Kids Ski Free at Steamboat Springs in Colorado. This vintage western town with a contemporary atmosphere espouses a grand skiing heritage. The town is home to more winter sports Olympians than any other place in the U.S. It is known for Champagne Powder® snow, innovative family programs, Kids Vacation Center, unique off-mountain activities, and family-friendly lodging options. Here’s the deal: Steamboat has been offering free skiing benefits for kids since 1982. Steamboat’s Kids Ski Free™ and Grandkids Ski Free programs allows children 12 years of age and younger to ski free the same number of days as their parents and grandparents when parents and grandparents purchase a five-day or more regular-priced adult lift ticket prices. Bonus Points: Children participating in the Kids Ski Free™ lift ticket program will also receive free ski rentals and Teen Ticket participants will receive discounted ski rentals at all Steamboat Ski & Sport® locations and RideSports when parents rent skis for five days or more. Details at www.steamboat.com 

Big Sky Resort in Montana where kids ski free. As I post this news Big Sky already has30” of snow and is gearing up opening day they will be unveiling three new terrain parks and three new ski runs. As I have mentioned before Big Sky is the home of the truly awesome Montana Yurt Dinners. Bonus Points: Freestyle Forest in the Moonlight area is now a family friendly kid’s adventure area known as The Lost Frontier. Kids of all ages are going to enjoy whooping it up on the new beginner glade run, and snowy playground, assessed via Swift Current chair lift between Black & Blue and the bottom of Lower Morningstar ski runs. Here’s the deal. At Big Sky not yet ten years of age who are staying at Big Sky receive a free lift ticket. Children participating in lessons also receive a free lift ticket. Plus Kids Club is free for guests booking with Big Sky Central Reservations. Details at (406) 995 -5765 or www.bigskyresort.com

YMCA of the Rockies Quick Family Getaways in Colorado. Framed by the impressive Rocky Mountains, time together at Snow Mountain Ranch makes sharing experiences and creating memories easy for all ages. Snow Mountain Ranch is the perfect setting for families and friends to spend quality time together. The property spans 5,200 acres of mountain meadows at an altitude of 9,000 feet. For downhill skiers and snowboarders, it is not far to the resorts of Winter Park and Sol Vista. But perhaps the best is on site with winter activities including ice skating pavilion, a lighted sledding and tubing hill, and miles of well groomed trails ideal for cross-country skiing and snow shoeing. Here’s the deal: Throughout the autumn, winter and spring, YMCA of the Rockies offers special all-inclusive family festivals for all ages. Details at Snow Mountain Ranch Toll-free 1-800-777-9622 or www.ymcarockies.org 

In addition to vacation packages our SnowPlaces showcases oodles of winter family vacation ideas, travel advice, vacation planning and destination information for family time in the snow - skiing, boarding, snow tubing, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, snowmobiling, free-range sledding, ice skating and ice fishing. Is there anything else?