Kids Ski Free: The Best Family Lift Pass and Rental Offers for Winter 2025/26

From Canada’s snow-sure Rockies to family-focused Scandinavia, we've done the research and pulled together the top resorts per country where passes and equipment rentals for kids are free.

If you're skiing with the family this winter, here’s one way to make your holiday feel a whole lot kinder on the wallet - kids ski free!

Across Scandinavia and North America, many ski resorts offer free lift passes and/or rentals for children, so we’ve put a special spotlight on those that offer exceptional value for money and run all season long - no deadlines, no stress.

Best Kids Ski Free Resorts in Scandinavia

Norway and Sweden are excellent choices for family skiing, with most local children learning to ski as soon as they can walk. As the saying goes, ‘Norwegians are born with skis on their feet’. 

Scandinavian skiing has been a well-kept secret for many years, with typically much quieter slopes than anywhere else worldwide. With their proximity to the UK, you’re looking at one of the quickest journeys door to door - or rather, door to slope - with no jetlag. 

All of the Scandinavian resorts we offer have free skiing for children up to 6 (sometimes 7) years old. Note that some resorts charge for the physical lift pass itself for around £7.

Geilo, Norway - Under 7s ski free

In Geilo, kids under 7 ski free with free lift access to diverse terrain for all abilities. Geilo also has an incredible programme of activities, facilities and entertainment to keep your little urchins occupied.

Adult High Fiving Kid in Geilo
Geilo has excellent, all-ability terrain for kids and grown-ups alike, plenty of fun activities, games and entertainment, and under 7s ski free all season. © Paul Lockhart

When it comes to family ski holidays, Geilo defends the number one spot. Kids Play is run by instructors with engaging winter activities designed just for them. There's the Kids Disco and Kids Race events, and a Kids Patrol too, where children get to explore the mountain like a pro. Plus, Geilo’s award-winning ski school ensures your little ones learn safely, in supportive and fun lessons, making it the perfect resort for young families. It also offers a dedicated crèche for ages 6 months to 8 years, providing a safe, happy environment while parents hit the slopes.

Geilo features in our Ski and Spa Ski Safari (let mum and dad relax while the kids play) and the Bergen Railway Ski Safari (a magical railway adventure).

Voss, Norway - Under 7s ski AND rent free

In Voss, kids under 7 ski AND rent free, and will breeze onto the very slopes used by countless training Winter Olympic athletes.

Family Skiing in Voss (Bluer Sky) © Jon Hunnålvatn Tøn
Voss' Olympic-standard slopes combine mellow slopes, fast straights and powder pockets - under 7s get free slope access and free helmet/ski rentals all season © Jon Hunnålvatn Tøn

Voss is a hidden gem tucked amongst the striking landscape of fjords and mountains. Simply travelling to Voss is a thrill for the little ’uns, as you journey on the Oslo to Bergen railway. This beautiful, scenic train ride will send you clickety-clacking through mountain tunnels, skirting along rocky cliffs, and gliding over vast snowy plains.

Voss resort has three dedicated kids areas that inspire play and learning with other children through games and child-friendly races. Accessed by the Voss Gondol, it’s easy to travel up to the slopes from the town. In the town itself, down beside the pretty Vangsvatnet lake, there’s much for the family to do too, including swimming, a bowling alley and a soft play.

Read more on Voss or check out the Bergen Railway Ski Safari for a next-level Voss adventure.

Gausta, Norway - Under 8s ski free

At Gaustakids under 8 get free lift access - this is one of the highest kids' ski free age brackets for Norwegian resorts.

All smiles in front of Gausta sign © Paul Radford
We were the first UK tour operator to sell Gausta to the UK ski market two years ago. Since then, we've sent hundreds of families to this quirky, happy resort © Customer, Paul Radford

Sprawled around the Kvitåvatn Lake and overlooked by Gaustatoppen Mountain, Gausta is an up-and-coming resort with bags of character and plenty to keep the kids smiling throughout their holiday. From floating lake saunas to trams that rumble deep into the mountain, Gausta is all about memorable experiences.

Expect perfect slopes for learning the ropes, a top-notch ski school, excellent ski-in, ski-out facilities, and activities like shuffleboard, table tennis, a playroom, and a swimming pool.

Read more about Gausta to find out why it's a big hit with all generations.

Åre, Sweden - Under 7s ski free

In Åre, kids aged 6 and under ski free, making it a top choice for families looking for a Swedish ski holiday.

Thumbs up all round! Happy family on Åre ski slopes
Thumbs up all round! A happy family on Åre ski slopes © Ben Campbell

There are two superb beginner and child-friendly areas, with easy-to-access lifts right beside ski school meeting points. Lessons at Valle’s Ski School run for children as young as three, where kids learn how to be confident skiers and are joined on the slopes by Valle the Snowman himself.

With ski-in ski-out accommodation close to the lifts and rentals, parents regularly remark on Åre’s convenient layout. The historic lakeside town is bursting with things to do, see and try, including the chocolate factory for the kids, the distillery for the grown-ups, and the zipwire for everyone (perhaps not in that order though).

Read more about Åre, or check out the Åre and the Arctic Ski Safari, which takes a visit to Åre to new heights.

Where else can kids ski free in Scandinavia?

Other Scandinavian resorts that offer kids ski free include Björkliden in Sweden for kids under 8 years old, while its neighbour Riksgränsen, along with Stöten, offer free access to children under 7 years of age. Beito, Myrkdalen, Norefjell, Hafjell, Kvitfjell, Hemsedal, Trysil and Narvik in Norway all offer free skiing for under 7s.

Best kids ski free offers in Canada

Canada has some of the best-value family skiing, with 11 of our 16 Canadian resorts offering free lift passes for toddlers to under 5s as standard, and some offering free skiing all season for kids up to 12 years. Terms and conditions apply to each resort, so please contact us for more information.

Canadian ski resorts boast expansive ski areas for beginners through to experts. Whilst this can attract larger crowds, the broader variety of more challenging available terrain makes Canada attractive to skiers with some experience under their belt - even the littlest pro-skiers in the making. Canada also boasts some of the best ski schools and beginner slopes for beginners and less confident little skiers, making it the perfect destination for multi-generational and multi-ability groups.

Jasper - Under 12s ski AND rent free

In Jasper Marmot Basin, kids up to 12 years get free passes and rentals when accompanying a paying adult - valid all season.

Children with instructor at Jasper Marmot Basin Ski School
Children with their instructor at Jasper Marmot Basin Ski School

If you’re looking for a friendly, laid-back, scenic resort with varied terrain and excellent wildlife-spotting, Jasper has it all. Getting around is easy, and the uncrowded slopes allow you to move up and down the mountain at your own pace. Jasper offers amazing value for families, as unlike other resorts, Jasper’s off-season period is in winter. That means better deals on accommodation, dining and plenty of activities.

Read more about skiing Jasper, or take a look at our Alberta Rockies Ski Safari, combining Jasper with other nearby destinations for the ultimate Rockies ski adventure.

Sun Peaks - Under 12s ski AND rent free

From one beautiful landscape to another; in Sun Peaks, kids under 12 ski and rent for free all season.

Family skiing in Sun Peaks © Susan Bayles
Sun Peaks' chilled vibe and slightly quieter slopes, makes it a fun destination for learning and progressing © Susan Bayles

This is one of the best all-round family ski resorts in Canada, with a compact and walkable ski-in ski-out village, a relaxed vibe, and minimal queues. Of Sun Peaks’ three mountains, Sundance is the best location for little learners to practice. Families are well catered for, with a childcare centre and lots of family-friendly activities to choose from too, including dog sledding, ice skating and sleigh rides.

Read more about Sun Peaks, or check out our Whistler Peaks and Okanagan Explorer Ski Safaris. Both include a few nights in Sun Peaks as part of a multi-resort ski adventure across Canada.

Banff - Under 12s ski AND rent free

For a limited time, Banff is offering free equipment rental AND free ski passes for kids under 12 as long as they're booked by 31 October 2025. If you miss that deadline, don't worry, a second free rentals-only offer for under 12s continues until 01 December 2025, giving you a second chance to pocket some savings.

Family skiing at Sunshine Village in Banff National Park © Travel Alberta
Banff National Park is home to three ski areas (Mount Norquay, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise), and experiences a long season with healthy annual snowfall, meaning it's a great Easter skiing option © Travel Alberta

Banff is a firm favourite here at Ski Safari. Located beside stunning national parkland and a historic town with a truly authentic Canadian feel, it’s relaxed, it’s friendly, and it’s packed with things to do, on and off-mountain. You'll find several excellent beginner areas and some fun, broad intermediate runs - perfect for playing and practising. Off the slopes, there are tonnes of activities to pick from, including snowmobiling, ice skating, nature hikes, tobogganing, and hot springs.

Explore Banff, or go one step further and check out one of our amazing multi-resort ski safaris like the Continental Divide or the Rockies Loop, for a truly unforgettable ski adventure.

Panorama - Under 12s ski free

In Panorama, under 5s always ski free, but for a limited time offer, kids 12 and under ski free with a paying adult if you book your passes before 30 September 2025.

Ski lessons at Panorama Mountain Resort © Panorama
Panorama has superb, diverse terrain for all abilities, but really strikes gold for the intermediate skiers © Panorama

Panorama is a great family-focused resort, with a compact village that has everything you need within walking distance, plus a gondola that connects the upper village. Choose between an array of hotels, condos and suites, many with the added convenience of ski-in ski-out access, right at the foot of the lifts. The terrain here is perfect for progression, with about 75% of the runs suitable for beginners and intermediates, whilst the remaining 25% is a steep and deep powder playground.

Read more about Panorama or check out one of our ski safaris, combining Panorama skiing with other incredible ski destinations like Banff or Kicking Horse, on the Rockies Loop Ski Safari or the Continental Divide Ski Safari.

Revelstoke - Under 12s ski free

Revelstoke is offering a similar early booking deal as Panorama, where children aged 12 and under ski free with a paying adult if booked before 15 November 2025.

Kids skiing in Revelstoke © Ian Houghton - Revelstoke Mountain Resort
With their free lift access, kids can find freedom high on the slopes, and with a diverse programme of lessons and camps, Revelstoke Snow School can help show them the ropes © Ian Houghton - Revelstoke Mountain Resort

Revelstoke offers incredible variety for all skiing abilities, which appeals to larger groups with mixed skiing needs. While it’s the cream of the crop for Canadian backcountry skiing, Revelstoke has excellent beginner areas, well-manicured easy-to-intermediate slopes, excellent children’s school programmes, an adventure park, brilliant kid-friendly activities and on-mountain childcare - phew!

Read more on Revelstoke, or have you thought about combining it with a trip to Banff, Kicking Horse and/or Panorama, on your very own, tailor-made Rockies Loop Ski Safari family adventure?

Where else can kids ski for free in Canada?

Be sure to also check out Big White, Fernie, Kicking Horse, Kimberley, and Silver Star, which all offer free skiing for children under 5.

While in Whistler, kids under 12 can rent their equipment for free, with a book by date of 30 November 2025.

Best kids ski free offers in USA

With some mighty mountains boasting some of the lightest, driest snow in the world, the USA has been calling to powder hunters and experienced pros for decades. And, there are plenty of opportunities for kids to learn to ski and progress here too. Eight of the 23 US resorts we sell have top kids credentials and offer free kids’ lift pass incentives, along with a few excellent rental offers.

Aspen Snowmass - 7 to 12s ski free

Children aged 7 to 12 get a free lift pass with their rental purchase from Four Mountain Sports in Aspen Snowmass, for use from 01 January 2026 to the end of the season. This is one of the few US kids' offers that doesn’t require an adult rental to unlock the deal.

Snowmass Family Groomer © Jeremy Swanson
Kids between 7 and 12 can ski for free when they rent in Aspen Snowmass © Jeremy Swanson

Aspen Snowmass is a great choice for families as it has abundant, gentle and wide terrain that's perfect for learners and small children. It has the Treehouse Adventure Center, a central hub for childcare, lessons and a highly rated ski school programme for children and teens. And when you’re not on the slopes, there’s plenty more to do in resort, including riding the Alpine Coaster or tubing.

Read more about Aspen Snowmass.

Park City - Under 5s ski free

Valid all season in Park Citykids under 5 get free passes as long as you book by 30 November 2025.

Park City - Kids on Freshly Groomed Runs © Andrew Braden
Book your passes early, and kids under 5 can enjoy free access to Park City's freshly groomed slopes © Andrew Braden

A firm family favourite in Utah’s Rockies, Park City has extensive green and blue terrain, a great and gently sloped beginner area and a renowned ski school. The village area has a friendly vibe, with accommodation and restaurants in easy walking distance, while historic Main Street's shopping and dining are nearby.

Read more about Park City.

Breckenridge - Under 5s ski free

Similar to Park City, kids under 5 get free passes in Breckenridge if you book them by 30 November 2025.

Young family skiing between pine trees in Breckenridge © Vail Resorts
Enjoyable, family-friendly terrain in Breck, includes lower, more secluded tree-lined runs like these © Vail Resorts

With an excellent ski school and great beginner and intermediate terrain, Breckenridge is a winner for young families. It has plenty of family-friendly accommodation and a quirky historic old town at the foot of the mountain, brimming with character.

Read more about Breckenridge.

Where else can kids ski for free in the USA?

Other ski resorts offering kids ski free incentives for kids 4 and under include Vail, Jackson Hole in the Rocky Mountains, Mammoth, Kirkwood, Northstar, and Heavenly in California.

Don’t forget

  • Book early if you're planning to take advantage of deals with deadlines - most rental-based offers expire between 30 September and 01 December 2025.
  • Always check the age cut-offs, as they vary by resort (typically it's under 5s in North America and under 7s in Scandinavia).

Ready to plan? Contact our experts today

If you're dreaming of a snow-filled family adventure where the little ones ski for free, our team can help you choose the right destination and package for maximum value.

Get in touch online or call our destination specialists on 01273 224060, and we’ll help you build your perfect family ski holiday - with a few perks for parents, too.

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram for the latest resort news as it comes in.

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