Keystone’s Kids Ski Free Program, launched back in 2012, is pretty straightforward. Stay two or more nights in one of Keystone’s accommodations, and anyone 12 and younger is given “a golden ticket” — that is, they ski for free. While it may sound like another hum-ho travel promotion, to say that this deal has caught on would be an understatement. In just a little more than three seasons, the program will surpass 100,000 free lift tickets.
To celebrate its success and promote its future promise, Keystone will hold a week-long event January 24-30. Every family taking advantage of the Kids Ski Free Program during this week will receive a chocolate bar upon check-in. Ten of those chocolate bars will contain a “golden ticket,” worth $500 in resort credit. Those not participating in the program (i.e. booking accommodations) can still get lucky. Keystone will hand out golden-ticket chocolate bars, valid for a $50 resort credit, to guests at random throughout the week. Chocolate Tours of Keystone’s pastry shop are also open to all guests on Tuesday, Jan. 26 and Friday, Jan. 29. Tours are free, but guests will need to register online.
Regardless of whether you win or take advantage of the perks, the big picture here is the overall success of the Kids Ski Free Program. For a sport that’s had to “weather” its fair share of Mother Nature related problems the past few seasons, there’s no better way to promote the future than by getting the little ones involved. We send our congratulations out to Keystone for a job-well-done, and encourage all beginner skiers, young and old, to pay a visit this year, as one of Keystone’s best attributes is that those learning to ski are not bound to the bunny slope. The front side, Dercum Mountain, has a ski school located at the top of the gondola and a 3.5-mile signature green run called “Schoolmarm” that allows newbies to experience the scenic views that are so much a part of the skiing experience we all enjoy.
For more information during the “Kidtopia” event in January, you can follow Keystone on Twitter.
