Cash-strapped families can locate cool deals for slopes

Skiing and snowboarding are great family fun. But most families have limited entertainment funds. Gear, gas, lift tickets, lunch … cha-ching, cha-ching, cha-ching.

Fortunately, a variety of deals can help make a snow sport season pencil out better for guys like Robb Peterson, 42, a Spokane investment advisor with a stable of growing boys and a finite ski budget.

Peterson and his wife Gina have three boys, ages 8, 11 and 12. Driving, lift tickets and lunch can possibly total well more than $200 for their day on the slopes.

“I don’t think I’m a tightwad,” Peterson said. “But I look at that and think it’s a lot of money.”

It sure is. But with a little shopping around, a lot of savings can be found.

Area-wide deals

For those who can get away during the week, 10 gallons of gas at any Shell station gets a 2-for-1 voucher good at different hills on different days of the week. Toyota drivers have the opportunity to ski free for a day at each of the five local hills. This partnership among the Inland Northwest Ski Association (INSA), Shell and Toyota has provided more than $100,000 in savings each year to skiers and riders. Learn more at skifreedeals.com.

The Fifth-Grade Free Passport Program offers free skiing and boarding to all fifth-graders at the five area hills that partner with the INSA. The Fifth-Grade Passport Program also includes free or discounted lessons and rentals. Some areas offer parents and siblings discounted lessons. About 2,500 kids a year participate. See skiinlandnorthwest.com under “Kid Zone.”

“We want to get kids involved as lifetime participants in the sport,” said Karen Stebbins of the Inland Northwest Ski Association. “The Passport Program has created a lot of skiers and boarders over the past nine years. It helps families overcome the expense of starting their kids in the sport, and it gives kids a chance to see if skiing or snowboarding is something they really want to do.”

On an individual basis, each area hill offers numerous ways to save.

Mt. Spokane: Discount tickets are available at any area Yoke’s Fresh Market and Spokane Alpine Haus shops. A midweek season pass is $99 – the cheapest midweek pass in the region. A family discount takes $50 off the purchase of two or more additional adult or youth passes for immediate family members. Entertainment Book: 2-for-1 night skiing.

49 Degrees North: “Taco Time Two for Tuesday” – visit any Spokane, Airway Heights or Colville Taco Time to pick up a 2-for-1 voucher good Tuesdays. The “Six Pack” offers 6 tickets for $2 less each than the open adult rate.

Silver Mountain: Discount tickets are available at Rosauers TicketWest outlets. Buy five or more passes on the hill and save 20 percent. Special discounts are available for Police, Fire, Military and EMS workers.

Lookout Pass: Boomer Fridays – $16 lift tickets available for skiers and boarders age 40-plus. Entertainment Book: 2-for-1 lift ticket anytime.

Schweitzer: Discount lift tickets are available for members at REI. The Escape Card ($99) allows holders their first day free, plus $10 off each day thereafter. Entertainment Book: 2-for-1 night skiing.

The bottom line

The Peterson family can take advantage of several deals at Mt. Spokane. If they fuel up at Shell and go on a Thursday, the 2-for-1 deal saves Gina’s adult ticket: $36. Their 11-year-old fifth-grader Eric can ski free under the Passport Program for a savings of $30. Because Robb buys a pass for himself and Alex, 8, and Macarthur, 12, the family discount saves an additional $50. Total possible savings: $116.

The subtraction really adds up.