NORTH WOODSTOCK, NH, JANUARY 2013 – With a deep base of snow at New Hampshire’s ski areas and more than three months left to enjoy it, this is an ideal winter to get kids out on snow. Ski NH, the statewide association representing 33 alpine and cross country resorts throughout the state, invites students currently in the fourth and fifth grades to participate in its annual Snowsports Passport program. The program makes it easier for children and their families to enjoy snowsports more frequently, and introduce skiing and snowboarding to kids who haven’t tried them yet.

The Snowsports Passport program is available to any fourth or fifth grade student, regardless of where he or she lives. The passport book offers lift ticket vouchers for the student and other savings for family members, and costs $30, with a portion donated to the Make-a-Wish Foundation of New Hampshire. Included are one, two, or three lift tickets or trail passes for each of the 33 member resorts of Ski NH, as well as savings on lift tickets and trail passes for parents and siblings, rental packages, lessons and more. To receive a Ski NH Snowsports Passport, families simply register at SkiNH.com and then forward a copy of their child’s report card to the Ski NH office. Quantities are limited, so it’s best to purchase as soon as possible.

The passport program was created 15 years ago to encourage kids and their families to become more active during the winter months. “According to federal research, only 7.9% of kids are physically active three or more hours per day during the winter, as compared to 64.4% of kids during the summer. In a state blessed with so much snow and winter fun, Ski NH resorts want to make it as easy and affordable as possible for kids and their families to get outdoors, get active and have fun,” explained Kim Pickering, Ski NH’s program director. More than 8,500 students participated in the program last year.

“Parents enjoy the program because it enables families to enjoy outdoor activities at quite a savings at New Hampshire’s winter resorts,” said Pickering.

Ski NH is the statewide association representing 33 alpine and cross country resorts and more than 200 lodging and guest service properties in New Hampshire. For more information on ski areas, lodging packages, and winter events at Ski NH resorts, call Ski NH at (800) 88-SKI-NH (800-887-5464) or visit the Ski NH website at www.SkiNH.com. For statewide media relations assistance, visit the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism’s media room at http://visitnh.gov/media/ or contact Mr. Tai Freligh at 603-271-2343, option #2.