The Pennsylvania Ski Areas Association (SkiPA) wants to make it easy and fun for families to learn a new sport and stay active this winter. The Snowpass program provides every fourth and fifth grader the opportunity to ski or snowboard for free, up to three times at 21 participating Pennsylvania area ski resorts, when accompanied by a paying adult.
Now is the perfect time for families who are not already skiing to learn a new sport with some cool added incentives for fourth and fifth graders. In celebration of the sixteenth anniversary of the Snowpass program, SkiPA has partnered with SHEETZ and Gilson to give away over 100 FREE skis and snowboards. The first 60 skiers and 60 snowboarders to reach five days on the mountain with their Snowpass will win a FREE Special Edition pair of Gilson Youth Skis or Gilson Snowboards. On February 1, one grand prize winner will be selected from the group that hits the milestone and will have an opportunity to tour the Gilson shop and build their very own custom pair of skis or snowboard (this will be free in addition to the one that they already received). The winner can work with the Gilson artist to create a personalized design and the artist will bring it to life.
There is no need to enter, the Snowpass automatically counts the visits and winners will be posted here on the SkiPA web site.
The Snowpass contains (1) FREE Learn to Ski/Board package, which includes beginner lift ticket, lesson and equipment rental with a paying adult. And, also comes with 50% off one adult Learn to Ski/Snowboard package to the resort of choice. The program is not restricted to residents of Pennsylvania. Any fourth or fifth grade student can participate by completing a simple application and providing a report card or other document verifying they are currently in the fourth or fifth grade. A photo of the student is also required. You can apply online at www.skipa.com or download an application and apply by mail.There is a nominal administration/processing fee of $35 and $40 December 1, 2019, or after. Quantities are limited. Snowpasses are issued on a first-come, first-serve basis. Details of the program including rules and black-out dates can be found on the SkiPA web site.
Skiing and snowboarding provide families the opportunity to exercise outside together during the winter months. A ninety-pound youth can burn between two and three hundred calories per hour skiing and / or snowboarding depending on their activity level. Skiing and snowboarding are listed among the activities included in the President’s Challenge organized by the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. Children and adults can earn points toward a Presidential Active Lifestyle Award by skiing and snowboarding. Twenty-one ski/snowboard resorts across Pennsylvania belong to the Snowpass program. The Snowpass can be used at the following Pennsylvania ski area resorts:
- Bear Creek Mountain Resort, Macungie
- Big Boulder Resort, Blakeslee
- Blue Knob Resort, Claysburg
- Blue Mountain Resort, Palmerton
- Camelback Mountain Resort, Tannersville
- Elk Mountain, Union Dale
- Hidden Valley Resort, Hidden Valley
- Jack Frost Mountain, Blakeslee
- Laurel Mountain, Ligonier
- Liberty Mountain Resort, Carroll Valley
- Montage Mountain, Scranton
- Mount Pleasant, Cambridge Springs
- Mystic Mountain, Farmington
- Roundtop Mountain Resort, Lewisberry
- Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Seven Springs
- Shawnee Mountain, East Stroudsburg
- Ski Big Bear, Lackawaxen
- Ski Sawmill Family Resort, Morris
- Spring Mountain, Spring Mount
- Tussey Mountain, Boalsburg
- Whitetail Resort, Mercersburg
For more information on the Pennsylvania Ski Areas Association visit www.SkiPA.com.
To find out more about the Gilson Giveaway, visit SkiPA's website.
To stay up-to-date on the latest news and special promotions, find us on Facebook and Twitter at @GoSkiPA
