Colorado Ski Country USA’s Ski Passport turns 30 years old in 2026

“When the Ski Passport began in 1996, it was a pioneering approach to access, opening Colorado’s mountains to kids and families in a way that encouraged them to enjoy the breadth of skiing across the state.”

Known as the 5th Grade Passport in 1996, Colorado Ski Country USA first offered the exclusive ski passport for Colorado kids for free back then.

Thirty years later, the Ski Passport is still thriving.

And although 2026’s offering is $76, and currently on sale, it still remains a staple for ski families looking to get their kids onto one of the ski trade associations’ 19-member ski areas or resorts.

“When the Ski Passport began in 1996, it was a pioneering approach to access, opening Colorado’s mountains to kids and families in a way that encouraged them to enjoy the breadth of skiing across the state,” CSCUSA President and CEO Melanie Mills said. “Thirty years later, the Ski Passport carries that original purpose forward.”

Mills also said getting kids skiing and snowboarding gives them the opportunity to experience Colorado’s mountains while they are young, and is one of the most important investments CSCUSA can make in the future of skiing.

The 2026-27 Ski Passport includes four days of skiing or snowboarding at each of the 19 participating CSCUSA membership areas for students in kindergarten through sixth grade.

Alongside the Ski Passport, CSCUSA’s 2026-27 programs include the Gems Teen Pass, Gems Parent Pass, Gems Discount Card, and Gold Pass. Sales started Sept. 1, with the Gems Parent Pass being released in waves to make the limited number of passes available to more families throughout the sales period.

• Gems Teen Pass: Ages 12–17, with two full days at each of 10 Gems resorts, for 20 days total. The 2026–27 price is $210.
• Gems Parent Pass: Available to a parent or legal guardian after purchasing a qualifying Ski Passport or Gems Teen Pass, with one Parent Pass allowed per household. It includes two full days at each of 10 Gems resorts and is $350 for 2026–27. Quantities are limited and released in waves.

More options to ski or ride in Colorado for $100 or less this season:

Howelsen Hill

• Ski Free Sundays — Free lift access every Sunday during the winter season; no reservation required.
• Guests pick up a free ticket at the ticket office. Howelsen Hill is North America’s oldest operating ski area.

Sunlight Mountain Resort

• Daily lift tickets — Adult tickets currently start at $74.
• Sunlight recommends purchasing online before arrival for its best pricing.

Winter Park Resort

• $89 Thursdays — Adult lift tickets are $89 on Thursdays from January 7 through February 25, 2027, subject to
  blackout dates and availability.
• Flex Midweek — Four-day adult products currently start at $85 per day.
• Advance purchase — Skiers can save up to 40 percent on 2026–27 single- and multi-day tickets purchased at
  least 48 hours ahead.

Arapahoe Basin

• $80 Wednesdays — A-Basin is marking its 80th anniversary with $80 Wednesday lift tickets.
• Three-Day Any Day Pack — $249, or $83 per day.
• Three-Day Midweek Pack — $209, or about $70 per day.
• Advance purchase — Daily pricing varies by date; A-Basin advises guests that the earlier tickets are purchased,
  the more they save.

Loveland Ski Area

• Loveland Valley — Adult tickets are $50 during early season and $60 during the regular season; child tickets
  are $30 early season and $35 regular season.
• Kids 5 and younger — Ski free.
• Beginner option — Loveland Valley serves beginner terrain at a lower price than a full-mountain ticket.
• Advance purchase — A limited number of discounted full-day adult tickets will be available for each date.

Monarch Mountain

• Full-day adult tickets — Currently start at $69 online; prices vary by date and rise as demand increases.
• Afternoon tickets — Start at $79 on lower-demand dates, with regular afternoon pricing of $99.
• Migration Ticket — $69 Monday through Friday for qualifying holders of a full season pass from another ski area.

Purgatory Resort

• Power Kids Pass — Kids 12 and younger ski free, with no required adult season-pass purchase.
• Daily pricing — 2026–27 lift tickets are not yet on sale. Purgatory uses demand-based pricing and advises guests to
  expect lower rates on weekdays and other non-peak periods.
• Advance purchase — The resort recommends purchasing online and ahead of time for the best rates.

Copper Mountain

• Four Pack + Bonus Day — Five unrestricted days for less than $74 per day when purchased by September 8; no
  blackout dates.
• Play Forever Thursdays — $99 lift tickets on select Thursdays, with a portion of proceeds supporting nonprofit
  partners.

Eldora Mountain Resort

• 4-Pass — $359 for four days, or less than $90 per day, with no blackout dates.
• Play Forever Wednesdays — Return during the season; 2026–27 dates and daily ticket pricing are still to come.
  Resorts to watch as 2026–27 pricing is released

Ski Cooper

• 2025–26 reference pricing — $49 adult weekday tickets and $99 adult weekend/holiday tickets; every adult daily
  ticket was $99 or less last season.
• 2026–27 — Daily ticket pricing is expected this fall.

Powderhorn Mountain Resort

• 2025–26 reference pricing — $89 adult tickets Monday through Thursday and $99 Friday through Sunday; only
  designated holiday dates exceeded $100.
• 2026–27 — Daily ticket pricing is still to come.

Confirmed 2026–27 options