Ski Utah's Community Engagement Programs

Ski Utah works hand in hand with resorts and partners to deliver world-class programs that enrich our community.

At Ski Utah, we believe the joy of skiing and snowboarding should be within reach for every Utahn. That is why our three legacy programs, the 4th Grade School Program, the 4th, 5th and 6th Grade Passport, and Discover Winter, are designed to strengthen our local communities by making the mountains more accessible, inclusive, and affordable. From a child’s very first turns to families exploring new resorts together to adults discovering a lifelong passion for winter sports, these programs inspire confidence, foster belonging, and ensure Utah locals remain at the heart of the Greatest Snow on Earth®.

Learn to Ski and Ride

Over the past 30 years, Ski Utah has introduced skiing and snowboarding to over 150,000 students who widely claim the trip to be the “best field trip” of the year.

Learn to Ski and Ride

Ski Utah Passport

Every 4th, 5th and 6th grader deserves the chance to explore Utah’s mountains. The Passport makes it affordable and builds skills for a lifetime.

Ski Utah Passport

Discover Winter

Everyone should feel welcome in the mountains. Discover Winter opens the door with lessons, equipment, and a supportive community.

Discover Winter

Ski Utah's community engagement programs standout for their exceptional impact.

Michael Reitzell - President/CEO National Ski Areas Association

4th Grade School Program Participants

150k

Discover Winter Participants

850

Passport Program Participants

400k

Ski Utah's Community Engagement Programs

Learn to Ski and Ride

For countless Utah kids, Ski Utah's Learn to Ski and Ride program is where it all begins. Partnering with schools across the state, Ski Utah provides students with the opportunity to experince The Greatest Snow On Earth® with ski or snowboard lessons, lift tickets and gear. For many, this is the spark that ignites a lifelong love of skiing and snowboarding. Beyond the slopes, the program strengthens local communities by instilling confidence, resilience and a deep connection to Utah’s mountain culture at a formative age.

New for the 2025–26 season, Ski Utah and The Youth Sports Alliance (YSA) are teaming up to expand access to skiing and snowboarding for kids across Utah. Building on Ski Utah’s long-running fourth-grade program and YSA's nationally recognized after school model, this new effort expands opportunities with both single-day and four-day sessions at resorts across Northern Utah. It will also expand beyond fourth grade, opening to 1st through 6th graders.

Ski Utah Passport

The Ski Utah Passport is an unbeatable way for Utah families to keep kids skiing and riding. For one low price, every 4th, 5th and 6th grader can enjoy three days at each of Utah’s 15 resorts. That is 45 days of skiing and riding across the state. Families can explore new mountains together, progress their skills and stay active all winter long. Affordable, adventurous and community focused, the Ski Utah Passport helps ensure Utah kids grow up not just near the mountains, but in them.

Discover Winter
Discover Winter helps adults in Utah, many of whom never thought skiing or snowboarding was for them, find a new home in the mountains. In partnership with local organizations, the program provides multi-week lessons, their gear from head-to-toe and lift access, all in a supportive and welcoming environment. Each winter, Discover Winter brings new faces and voices into Utah’s ski culture, helping redefine who belongs in the mountains. By broadening access and representation, this program strengthens the future of our ski community while ensuring The Greatest Snow on Earth® remains a source of pride for all Utahns.

Programs Timeline

1989

Utah’s Best Field Trip Debuts

Launched in 1989, the School Program partnered with Utah schools to give elementary school students their first unforgettable day on snow.

1998

5th Grade Passport Debuts

At the start, the Ski Utah Passport offered three days at each of 13 resorts for just a $10 processing fee, with a parent or guardian along for the ride.

2003

6th Grade Added to the Passport

The Ski Utah Passport expanded in 2003 to include 6th graders, giving them one day at each resort, opening the door for even more kids to join the fun.

2011

Ski Utah Debuts Yeti Pass

The Yeti Pass is an all-access ticket with one day at each of Utah’s resorts, the perfect companion for parents skiing alongside their Passport-holding kids.

2019

Passport Goes Digital

In 2019, the Passport went fully digital. Parents could now use the Pass Portal to track redemptions, see remaining days, and unlock discounts, all without the old paper booklets.

2021

Discover Winter Premieres

Introduced in 2021, Discover Winter was designed to welcome new and diverse communities into skiing and snowboarding, providing four lessons, all clothing and gear, transportion and a supportive environment to experience Utah’s mountains.

2022

Passport Adds 4th Grade

In 2022, Ski Utah expanded the Passport to include 4th graders—giving all 4th, 5th and 6th graders three full days at each of Utah’s 15 resorts.

2024

New Passport Self-Redemption Launches

In 2024, Ski Utah introduced a new self-redemption process for the Passport, making it easier than ever for families to use their days on the mountain.

2025

Discover Winter Grows

In 2024, Discover Winter more than doubles its reach, growing from 150 to 350 participants and expanding its impact across Utah’s ski community.

Partners and Sponsors Help Make it Happen

These programs would not be possible without the support of our resort partners, local organizations and generous sponsors. Together, they help us keep skiing and snowboarding accessible, affordable and welcoming for Utah kids, families and new participants. Thank you for supporting our programs and for helping us strengthen the future of our mountain community.

Learn More

Learn to Ski and Ride

Ask any student and they will tell you, this was their favorite field trip of the year. The Learn-to-ski-and ride program takes students out of the classroom and onto the mountain for their very first day on snow.

Learn to Ski and Ride

Ski Utah Passport

Three days at each of Utah’s 15 resorts, all for every 4th, 5th and 6th grader. The Ski Utah Passport makes exploring the mountains easy, affordable and an adventure kids will never forget.

Passport Program

Discover Winter

Discover Winter is more than lessons, it is an invitation. By welcoming new communities into skiing and snowboarding, the program builds belonging and opens the door to Utah’s mountain culture.

Discover Winter

If you believe in the power of these Utah programs, we invite you to get involved. Together we can strengthen healthy, active youth and build stronger communities by getting more people outdoors. Reach out to partnerships@skiutah.com to help keep the spirit of skiing and snowboarding alive for Utah’s future generations.