I could have swore I remember writing about this deal last year, but I can not seem to locate it. I have to admit, the only thing I really enjoy about the snow is skiing, and even that I do not get to do as often as I would like despite even owning my own equipment. That is why I love watching for various promotions offering discounts on tickets, as they can get pricey. Unfortunately, Bug will be 3 years old after the ski season is over this year, so I will have to wait until next year to be able and take him. I am super excited to teach him how to ski, although I anticipate some apprehension at first.

For the past several years, Shell Gas Stations has teamed up to offer “free” tickets with the purchase of gasoline, and this years details have finally been released.

Official Ski Free Deals site.

Purchase 10 gallons of gasoline at select stations, and receive a voucher for a buy one, get one lift ticket at various resorts in California, Colorado, Michigan, and Oregon. Is it just me, or are you always surprised by the amount of ski resorts in Michigan? I always picture it rather flat by comparison to States bordering along the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains, but the economics and topography must be right to support such facilities.

There is a huge list of participating gas stations in the States of California, Colorado, Michigan, Ohio, Oregon, and Washington.

HOW TO SKI FREE®

1. Purchase 10 gallons or more of Shell fuel.
2. Read and accept SKI FREE® voucher terms and conditions by printing and signing your name.
3. Shell station attendant will stamp voucher AND your gas receipt.
4. Take stamped voucher AND stamped gas receipt to ski resort lift ticket window.
5. Purchase one full-price adult lift ticket and receive a second for FREE.
6. FREE lift ticket and purchased adult lift ticket must be used same day.
7. Both guests must be present at ski resort lift ticket window at time of redemption.

Information on participating resorts is a lot more detailed this year than in the past. Participating resorts and associated information is shown below.

California

ALPINE MEADOWS SKI RESORT
valid: January – March: Monday – Friday; April: Sunday – Friday
blackout: January 16, February 20–24
Adult lift ticket: $84

CHINA PEAK
valid: Sunday – Friday
blackout: January 15, February 19
Adult lift ticket: $62

LEARN TO SKI & RIDE PACKAGES
offer: Buy one Adult Learn to Ski & Ride Package, and get one free.
valid: Sunday – Friday
blackout: January 15, February 19
details: Adults (8 +). Both lessons must be redeemed in person on same day. Purchased lesson and free lesson cannot be used by same person.

HOMEWOOD MOUNTAIN RESORT
valid: Sunday – Friday
blackout: January 15, February 19–20
Adult lift ticket: $49-54

LEARN TO SKI & RIDE PACKAGES
offer: Buy one Adult Learn to Ski & Ride Package, and get one free.
valid: Sunday – Friday
blackout: January 15, February 19
details: Adults (13 +). Both lessons must be redeemed in person on same day.

KIRKWOOD MOUNTAIN RESORT
valid: Sunday – Friday
blackout: January 15, February 19
Adult lift ticket: $79

LEARN TO SKI & RIDE PACKAGES
offer: Buy one Adult Learn to Ski & Ride Package, and get one free.
valid: Sunday – Friday
blackout: January 15, February 19
details: Adults (13 +). Both lessons must be redeemed in person on same day.

MT. SHASTA ski park
valid: Tuesday: Day, Thursday: 3pm–9pm
blackout: None
Adult lift ticket: $44

SQUAW VALLEY
valid: January – March: Monday – Friday; April: Sunday – Friday
blackout: January 16, February 20–24
Adult lift ticket: $84

Colorado

COPPER MOUNTAIN
valid: Sunday – Friday
blackout: March 17–25
Adult lift ticket: $99

CRESTED BUTTE
valid: 7 Days a Week
blackout: February 17–19, March 11–15
Adult lift ticket: $92

LOVELAND SKI AREA
valid: Sunday – Thursday
blackout: January 15–16, February 19–20, March 25–29
Adult lift ticket: $59

MONARCH MOUNTAIN
valid: 7 Days a Week
blackout: January 14–15, February 18–19, March 10–24
Adult lift ticket: $57

SUNLIGHT MOUNTAIN RESORT
valid: Monday – Thursday
blackout: January 16, February 20, March 12–24
Adult lift ticket: $55

WINTER PARK RESORT
valid: Monday – Friday
blackout: March 12–16, March 26–30
Adult lift ticket: $89

Michigan

Swiss Valley Ski Area
valid: 7 Days a Week
blackout: None
Adult lift ticket: $30

Timber Ridge
valid: Sunday – Friday, Saturday after 4pm
blackout: None
Adult lift ticket: $27

Alpine Valley Ski Area
valid: Sunday, after 6pm; Monday, 10am–5:30pm
blackout: January 15–16, February 19–20
Adult lift ticket: $32

Mt. Brighton Ski Area
valid: Monday – Tuesday, All Day; Wednesday – Friday, Day Only; Saturday, After 6pm; Sunday, After 5pm
blackout: January 15–16, February 19–20
Adult lift ticket: $31

Apple Mountain
valid: 7 Days a Week
blackout: None
Adult lift ticket: $35

Cannonsburg Ski Area
valid: 7 Days a Week
blackout: None
Adult lift ticket: $28-35

Snow Snake Mountain
valid: Mondays Only
blackout: None
Adult lift ticket: $30

Boyne Highlands
valid: Sunday – Friday
blackout: January 14–16, February 18–20
Adult lift ticket: $52-62

Boyne Mountain
valid: Sunday – Friday
blackout: January 14–16, February 18–20
Adult lift ticket: $52-62

Caberfae Peaks Ski Resort
valid: January–February: Sunday–Friday, All Day; Saturday, After 5pm; March: 7 Days a Week
blackout: February 19
Adult lift ticket: $24-42

Cross Country Ski Headquarters
valid: 7 Days a Week
blackout: January 14–16, February 18–20
Adult lift ticket: $??

Crystal Mountain
valid: Monday – Thursday
blackout: January 16, February 20
Adult lift ticket: $55

Hanson Hills
valid: Saturday – Sunday
blackout: None
Adult lift ticket: $15-25

The Homestead Resort
valid: Friday – Sunday
blackout: January 14–16, February 18–20
Adult lift ticket: $15-38

Mt. Holiday Ski Area
valid: Sunday – Friday
blackout: February 17–20
Adult lift ticket: $20-30

Nub’s Nob Ski Area
valid: Tuesdays Only
blackout: None
Adult lift ticket: $51

Shanty Creek Resort
valid: January–February: Fridays and Sundays; March: 7 Days a Week
blackout: February 17, February 19
Adult lift ticket: $15

Treetops Resort
valid: Thursday – Saturday, After 4pm; Sunday, All Day
blackout: None
Adult lift ticket: $??

Big Powderhorn Mountain
valid: Monday – Friday
blackout: January 14–16, February 18–20
Adult lift ticket: $49

Blackjack Ski Resort
valid: Sunday – Friday
blackout: None
Adult lift ticket: $44

Marquette Mountain Ski Area
valid: Monday – Friday, After 9:30am
blackout: None
Adult lift ticket: $30-40

Mount Bohemia Ski Resort
valid: Wednesdays Only
blackout: None
Adult lift ticket: $50-54 (they actually charge more by paying with cash versus credit/debit cards)

Mt. Zion Ski Hill
valid: 7 Days a Week
blackout: None
Adult lift ticket: $??

Norway Mountain
valid: 7 Days a Week
blackout: None
Adult lift ticket: $??

Pine Mountain Resort
valid: Monday – Friday
blackout: January 16, February 20
Adult lift ticket: $15-30

Oregon

Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort
valid: Fridays only
blackout: None
Adult lift ticket: $24-35

Hoodoo Ski Area
valid: Thursday 9am–4pm, Friday 4pm–9pm
blackout: None
Adult lift ticket: $20-45

Mt. Ashland
valid: Thursday and Friday, 3pm–9pm, through March 9, 2012
blackout: January 2-4
Adult lift ticket: $24

Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort
valid: Wednesday and Thursday, 3pm–9pm
blackout: None
Adult lift ticket: $30

Mt. Hood Ski Bowl
valid: Wednesday, 3pm–10pm; Friday, 9am–4pm
blackout: None
Adult lift ticket: $30-49

Timberline Lodge
valid: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday; through April 12, 2012
blackout: March 24–31
Adult lift ticket: $25-58

Willamette Pass Resort
valid: Friday, 12:30–9pm
blackout: April 6, April 13
Adult lift ticket: $49