Local Mom and Influencer Reveals Skiing Savings for Kids

Planning Your Family’s Ski Season in Colorado

As the ski season approaches, it's time to start thinking about which ski pass will work best for your family. While some passes can be costly, there are several ways to save money so that kids can enjoy skiing or snowboarding for free or at a reduced rate. This is especially important for families looking to keep their expenses under control while still enjoying the outdoors.

Kyana Miner, a Colorado mom and influencer with over 31,000 followers on Instagram, has become an expert in finding affordable family-friendly activities. With four children aged six to 13, she frequently shares her family's adventures online and encourages others to explore the state, even on a budget. For her, skiing as a family of six can be expensive, and she knows many families are looking for ways to cut costs.

Miner recommends two specific passes: the Epic Pass and the Colorado Ski Country USA Pass. The Epic SchoolKids Colorado Pack is a free program designed for kindergartners through fifth graders. It provides four days of skiing or riding at five resorts, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Crested Butte. Registration for this pass opens in the spring and remains open until the end of September.

The Colorado Ski Country USA Pass offers skiers and snowboarders in kindergarten through sixth grade the chance to explore 19 Colorado resorts. With four days of access at each resort, this pass gives families a total of 76 days of skiing for around $70. Sales for this pass end in January, so it’s important to act quickly if you're interested.

“We definitely take advantage of these passes,” said Miner. “They make skiing more affordable. Another thing we do is look for packages that combine lodging and lift tickets to get the best value.”

She also noted that many resorts offer their own programs or discounts for children. Miner suggests starting to plan early, as waiting until later in the season can lead to higher prices.

“This is the time to start making your ski plans,” she said. “When you wait, things can get more expensive. Now is really the time to lock in your lodging, decide where you want to go, and secure these passes.”

Another tip from Miner is to consider visiting the slopes during the week, when prices are often lower compared to weekends or holidays. Smaller resorts can also provide great experiences at a lower cost. Renting gear offsite is usually cheaper than buying new equipment, and some shops offer free kids’ ski rentals when you rent adult gear for four days.

“I always suggest parents rent children’s gear because they grow so fast,” said Miner. “From season to season, you don’t want to keep repurchasing gear, so waiting until they get into their teen years is the best time to invest in gear.”

In addition to larger resorts, Miner recommends checking out smaller ones, which can offer amazing skiing and snowboarding opportunities at a more affordable price. Many of these smaller resorts also have discounted or free passes for children.

“Winter Park, for example, is not far from Denver and is accessible for a day trip,” she said. “This can save on lodging and reduce overall costs.”