In Grade 4 or 5? Ski For Free!

Free skiing and snowboarding for children in Grades 4 and 5?

Santa has nothing on you.
 Pick up a SnowPass for your 4^th or 5^th grader and make this a Christmas they won't ever forget.

There's just a few more precious shopping days left before Christmas and it feels like you've been to every mall, shop or super centre within a 20km radius and you still haven't found "it". You know, "it"; that one spectacular gift that will define this Christmas so that when the kiddies look back at 2011/12 they'll remember it as the best year ever because of "blank".

Last year it was an iPod, the year before an X-Box 360 and the year before that some other soon-forgotten electrical doodad. It seems like every year the cost of Christmas gifts goes up while the amount of amusement goes down. This year, why not try something different? Why not give your kids a gift that can last a lifetime? Why not give them the gift of skiing or snowboarding?

But skiing and snowboarding can be pricey, right? Wrong! Thanks to the Canadian Ski Council (CSC) getting your kids started is easier and more affordable than ever. Fifteen years ago, in partnership with Forzani, the CSC created the Grade 4 and 5 SnowPass program to ensure that every kid across Canada had the chance to give skiing and snowboarding a shot. Each SnowPass costs only $22 and comes with up to three free ski passes at each and every participating ski area in the province/region where they live.

And the best part, you won't have to visit one more mall to get a SnowPass for your kid. Registering is easy and open to any child in grade 4 or 5 (born in 2001 or 2002). Just visit www.snowpass.ca, upload your child's picture and proof of age, enter your method of payment and presto! Your child's personalized SnowPass will be mailed directly to your home in a couple of days.  If you still have some last minute shopping to do, stop by a Sport Chek, Sport Mart, Sports Experts and Intersport stores across Canada to pick up a Grade 4 & 5 SnowPass application form that can be mailed in to the Canadian Ski Council with a photo of your child, proof of age or grade and the $22 administration fee.

Depending on where you live, each applicant will receive either an Eastern or Western SnowPass Card. With over 150 different participating ski/snowboard areas across Canada - 92 in the East (Ontario to Newfoundland) and 60 in the West (Manitoba to B.C) - everyone has the chance to get in on the deal!

So this Christmas, ditch the malls, pry the kids off the couch and make 2011/12 the "it" year. Make it the year your 9 and 10 year olds learn to ski and snowboard.

Grade 4 and 5 SnowPass information and applications are available online at www.snowpass.ca or www.passeportdesneiges.ca. Log on today and get them in time for Christmas.

# # #

For more information on the Grade 4 and 5 SnowPass program, contact the Canadian Ski Council, tel: 705-445-9140, e-mail: info@skicanada.org, web: www.skicanada.org