How to ski for free by showing this airline’s boarding pass
Editor's Note
As we all know, planning a ski trip can be expensive. You can often offset the costs of hotels and flights by using points and miles, but lift ticket prices can still add up — especially when multiplied by the number of family members.
Fortunately, there are a few mountains that will let you ski for free simply by showing your airline boarding pass in partnership with Alaska Airlines.
Some mountains give you a complimentary lift ticket for the afternoon you arrive, while others give you one for the morning you depart. Some mountains will even give you a free lift ticket for any vacation day, regardless of your arrival or departure date. This is an amazing way to help offset the cost of your lift tickets, since there is no better way to ski than for free.
Here are all the resorts that currently allow you to ski for free simply by showing your boarding pass.
Alaska
Eaglecrest
Only 15 minutes from downtown Juneau, Eaglecrest will give a free same-day lift ticket to those flying into Juneau International Airport (JNU) that morning on Alaska Airlines. If you are coming by boat on the Alaska Marine Highway System or by seaplane on Alaska Seaplanes, this promotion applies to you as well. You are limited to three redemptions per person per winter season. This promotion runs from Dec. 7, 2024, through April 14, 2025.
With your boarding pass, you can also demo performance ski gear for the price of regular rentals at the Eaglecrest Rental Shop.
For subsequent days, the most expensive lift ticket is only $75, so you are still looking at a relatively economical ski vacation.
Related: These are the best times to visit Alaska
Canada
Ski Marmot Basin
Ski Marmot Basin features one of the better promotions, as it offers flexibility for your free lift ticket when flying Alaska Airlines. When you show your boarding pass or printed itinerary at the Ski Marmot Basin guest services desk, you can receive a free full-day lift ticket to be used for a single day within 21 days of your travel through Edmonton International Airport (YEG). This allows you to relax on the day you fly in — or out — for your ski vacation and pick a day that works best for you. This offer is valid through April 30, 2025.
Additionally, with this promotion, you can rent high-performance skis or snowboards for the price of a standard rental at the Marmot Basin Rental Shop in the Caribou Chalet (subject to availability). You can also check your gear overnight for free.
Red Mountain Resort
Travelers flying Alaska Airlines into Spokane International Airport (GEG) between Dec. 9, 2024, and April 7, 2025, will receive one complimentary lift ticket to Red Mountain Resort. You just need to present your boarding pass dated within 10 days of your arrival at the resort. You can then redeem the lift ticket any day of this ski season, which is more flexible than most similar ski-free programs. To be eligible for the promotion, you must fly into Spokane's airport (approximately a 2 1/2-hour drive to Red Mountain) and not other nearby airports within Canada.
SkiBig3
With this brand-new partnership, guests at SkiBig3 can show their Alaska Airlines boarding pass and receive a premium performance rental for the price of a midperformance rental. While this won't get you a free lift ticket, it can still save you some money. Your boarding pass must be dated between now and April 15, 2025. Blackout dates apply between Dec. 20, 2024, and Jan. 5, 2025, and again between Feb. 14 and Feb. 23, 2025.
Sun Peaks Resort
Sun Peaks Resort is another new partner with Alaska Airlines this winter season. Guests flying into Kelowna International Airport (YLW) on Alaska Airlines will receive one free day of skiing as well as 20% off additional days. The free lift ticket is also semiflexible, allowing use on the day of arrival or the following day.
Additionally, those flying to Alaska can receive 20% off reservations at the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel and free gear check-in when staying at this property.
This promotion is valid between now and April 13, 2025. However, it's not valid during peak dates, including Dec. 26-31, 2024, and Feb. 14-17, 2025.
Colorado
Steamboat Ski Resort
When flying Alaska Airlines, you can fly nonstop to Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN) — the commercial airport for Steamboat Springs — from Seattle or San Diego. Passengers on these flights (or with a connection in one of these two locations) will receive a free night skiing ticket on their arrival day at Steamboat Ski Resort by showing their boarding pass to any ticket office. Fortunately, there are no date restrictions, but if you're flying in on a Monday or Wednesday, you can use your free night skiing on Thursday.
Related: 5 reasons to ski at Steamboat Springs this year
Idaho
Bogus Basin
With many flights into Boise Airport (BOI), it's easy to hit the slopes of Bogus Basin after an early morning flight. Just show your Alaska Airlines boarding pass and ID at the Simplot Lodge ticket window to receive a complimentary lift ticket to ski for the rest of the day.
With your lift ticket, you can also get a performance rental ski package for the price of a basic package at the Bogus Basin Rental Shop.
Schweitzer
For flights into Spokane on Alaska Airlines, you can ski Schweitzer for free for the rest of the day. The mountain is approximately 90 minutes away from the airport, which offers nonstop flights from Boise, Los Angeles, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle. Take this promotion into account when comparing different flight options between airlines, since there are many other U.S. carriers that fly into Spokane.
Wyoming
Jackson Hole Mountain
This is a great offer, as lift tickets to Jackson Hole don't come cheap. Thanks to this new partnership with Alaska Airlines, you can present your boarding pass dated through April 13, 2025, to receive a free day of skiing the day you fly in. Blackout dates include Dec. 26-31, 2024; Jan. 18-19, 2025; and Feb. 15-16, 2025.
Additionally, Alaska Airlines travelers will receive a free demo equipment package rental from Jackson Hole Sports on the day of travel and complimentary equipment storage for that evening.
Related: Mountainside luxury: What it's like staying at the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole
Bottom line
When flying into any of these mountain airports, hang on to your paper boarding pass to leverage a variety of promotions. Maybe even print out multiple copies, just in case. Although many mountains have done away with their ski-free programs over the past few years, there are still a decent number of resorts offering deals.
Are you planning a family ski vacation? Here are some more resources:
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*Reserve cardmembers will receive 15 visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of visits each year, the total eligible purchases on the card must equal $75,000 or more.Pros
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- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
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Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you'll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
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- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
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- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees