Early-Bird Discount Encourages Fall Registration for Youth Access Initiative
The Idaho Ski Areas Association has introduced a two-tier pricing structure for its Idaho Peak Season Passport, designed to encourage early registration while making winter recreation accessible to young skiers and snowboarders across the state. The board of directors approved the measure at its annual meeting on June 2 at Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg.
Beginning in October, the passport will cost $29 for early registration. The price increases to $49 after December 20, creating an incentive for families to commit to the program before the holiday season. The passport grants fifth-grade students three free days at each of 18 participating ski areas across Idaho, while sixth-graders receive two free days at each location.
The initiative remains open to any fifth- or sixth-grade student, regardless of home state, as well as children ages 10-12 from any country. This broad eligibility reflects the program’s mission to introduce young people to Idaho’s alpine skiing heritage and winter economy.
Significant Economic Value for Participating Families
According to Silver Mountain Resort General Manager Jeff Colburn, who chairs the Idaho Ski Areas Association board, the passport delivers substantial value. Fifth-grade participants gain access to approximately $2,600 in lift tickets across the season, while sixth-graders access roughly $1,800 in ticket value.
“Idaho offers some of the most incredible skiing and snowboarding on Earth, and Ski Idaho’s Idaho Peak Season Passport makes it far easier for families to take advantage of our wonderful wintertime bounty,” Colburn stated in a public announcement of the program.
Eighteen Idaho ski areas participate in the passport program, representing the overwhelming majority of the state’s alpine terrain. The sole exception is Rotarun in Hailey, which operates independently and offers its own youth pricing: $10 lift tickets for children and free Community Ski Night programming every Wednesday.
Decades of Youth Access, Growing Economic Impact
The Idaho Ski Areas Association launched its youth-access initiative in northern Idaho in 1998, recognizing the value of introducing young people to winter sports. The program expanded significantly in 2005 to encompass ski areas in southern and eastern Idaho, creating statewide participation and access.
Idaho’s ski industry continues to demonstrate strong economic performance. Recent hotel tax collections—an indicator of visitor spending and regional economic health—surged in early 2026: February collections rose 15.95% compared to February 2025, while March collections increased 10.18% year-over-year. Across the state, ski areas generate more than $1 billion in annual economic activity and support more than 7,600 jobs.
The state’s ski terrain is expansive. Idaho operates 19 family-friendly alpine ski areas spanning nearly 29,000 vertical feet across more than 22,000 acres, positioning it as a significant winter recreation destination in the western United States.
The Idaho Ski Areas Association itself, founded in 1982, has grown to represent the collective interests of the state’s alpine ski community and has become instrumental in coordinating youth programs, marketing initiatives, and policy advocacy.
What Comes Next
Registration for the Idaho Peak Season Passport opens in October 2026 at the $29 early-bird price. Families should plan to register before December 20 to lock in the lower rate, as pricing increases to $49 thereafter. Fifth- and sixth-grade students interested in participating should contact their local ski area or visit participating resorts for enrollment details.
The tiered pricing model reflects the association’s commitment to balancing accessibility with operational sustainability, while the program itself underscores Idaho’s role as a year-round recreation destination—one that continues to invest in community recreation infrastructure across the state. For families interested in broader winter recreation opportunities beyond skiing, regional outdoor programming and trail maintenance remain active throughout Shoshone County and northern Idaho.