THERE ARE surprising benefits to being in the fourth grade. Ski resorts across the country are trying to entice these children and their parents to take to the slopes by offering free lesson and lift tickets. Fourth-graders can apply for Pennsylvania's 4th Grade Snowpass program, which entitles them to a free ski or snowboard lesson, free equipment rental and free lift tickets at participating ski areas this season -- including nearby Whitetail, Ski Roundtop and Ski Liberty. And Maryland's Wisp at Deep Creek Mountain Resort offers a "Free Ski With a B" program that provides a free season pass to any fourth-grader who has a B average in school. (For more information on area ski resorts, see Page 34.)
"We want skiing to be a family event," said Linda Irvin, executive director of the Pennsylvania Ski Areas Association. She said fourth-graders, who are typically 9 or 10 years old, are at a great age to pick up the rigorous physical fundamentals of skiing and snowboarding. She also said the group is targeting fourth-graders because they are still young enough to require parental guidance. "If a kid likes it, their family is more likely to become a skiing family," Irvin explained.
Fourth-graders can receive free ski lessons and more at Ski Liberty as part of Pennsylvania's 4th Grade Snowpass program.
(Ski Liberty)
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Last year, more than 3,300 fourth-graders took to the slopes with the Pennsylvania program, which is available to residents and nonresidents of the state. The Snowpass instructional package includes one free lesson, free equipment rental and a free lift ticket. The kids also get up to three free lift tickets to each of the 21 participating resorts in the Pennsylvania Ski Areas Association whenever they are accompanied by a paying adult this winter.
To apply for the ski pass, parents must send a completed application (available on skipa.com); a copy of their child's fourth-grade report card, school ID or any other document verifying school grade; a 2-by-1 1/2-inch (wallet size) photo of the student; and $10 nonrefundable processing fee to the association. Applications must be postmarked by Feb. 28 and are valid for one ski season. Allow about two weeks to process.
Fourth-graders will receive what looks like a passport in the mail, with a voucher for the ski or snowboard package, lift ticket coupons for each participating ski resort and other promotional coupons for equipment and clothing discounts. Only applications mailed to the association will be accepted; ski passes are not available at the participating resorts.
Maryland's Wisp Mountain resort near Deep Creek Lake, designed its "Ski Free With a B" program to take some of the financial sting out of skiing. "We want to promote education and reward students and parents financially," said Sarah Duck, senior marketing administrator. To get the pass, fourth-graders can bring a report card from this academic year to guest services at the mountain. They'll receive a season pass good for free lift tickets for the entire season.
For those planning ski vacations farther away, other states offer similar programs, including New York (www.44free.com) and New Hampshire (www.skinh.com); Vermont (www.skivermont.com) and Colorado (www.coloradoski.com) for fifth-graders; and California (www.californiasnow.com) for grades 4 through 6.
4TH GRADE SNOWPASS -- Pennsylvania Ski Areas Association, 5142 State St., White Haven, Pa. 18661. 570-443-0963. www.skipa.com.
SKI FREE WITH A 'B' -- Wisp at Deep Creek Mountain Resort, 296 Marsh Hill Rd., McHenry, Md. 21541. 301-387-4911. www.skiwisp.com.
