Get Your Kids Active in the Snow - for Free!

Just in time for the holidays, the Canadian Ski Council (CSC) is offering free snow passes for Canadian children who are in grades 4 and 5 (born in 2002 or 2003). The SnowPass offers three free lift tickets that can be used at participating ski areas all across Canada throughout the winter.

If you’re a parent with active kids who’ll suddenly be less active once the Christmas holidays roll around—with school and other scheduled activities taking a hiatus—the SnowPass may be a lifesaver.

Unlimited X3

It doesn’t matter whether your child is a snowboarder or a downhill skier, the CSC’s free lift tickets can be used for unlimited snow fun on three separate occasions on each participating ski area. CSC cites this example on their website:

“SnowPass™ holders from the Toronto area are able to ski three (3) times at Blue Mountain, three (3) times at Snow Valley, three (3) times at Centennial, three (3) times at Glen Eden ….etc. all with one amazing SnowPass™ card!”

The CSC has been running their free grade 4 and 5 snow pass program for 16 years now and have this year expanded across the country with over 150 ski areas now participating in the program, including

• 33 in BC
• 19 in Alberta
• 2 in Saskatchewan
• 2 in Manitoba
• 34 in Ontario
• 53 in Quebec
• 8 in Atlantic Canada
• 1 in the Yukon

Start them early—active for life

According to CSC’s president and CEO, Patrick Arkeveld, “Introducing children to skiing and snowboarding at an early age gives them lifetime access to these healthy winter sports.

“It keeps them fit, less prone to obesity, and outside and active during the winter months ... skiing and snowboarding are sports kids can do with the whole family for a lifetime.”

More winter fun

For other ideas to keep your kids active during the winter break, check out “Five Fun Family Activities for the Holidays.”