Cold, snow, and frost may not get most people too excited. Heck, I am not even that big of fan of living in the Cleveland tundra. However, the one aspect of winter that does excite me is skiing, especially after last seasons mild winter. What excites me even more is that Bug (3) is finally of the age where I can teach him, and hopefully he enjoys, skiing.

I have hopes of getting to take Bug to some of the local bunny hills and having some of the professionals teach him a thing or two before he heads out onto the trails with me. I know there will be some apprehension to get over, but hopefully he can conquer that fear and learn the fun of hightailing it down a hill.

For those in areas with actual snow mountains, scoring a deal on free or cheap tickets may be more difficult. For the past several years (here is the 2012 Ski Free offer for reference), there has been an offer through Shell Gas Stations of buy one, get one lift tickets with the purchase of 10 gallons of gasoline. The promotion starts January 2, 2013.

Please find below the list of 2013 participating properties of the Ski Free offer.

California

ALPINE MEADOWS SKI RESORT
Valid: Jan 2 – Apr 6: Tuesday – Thursday; Apr 7 – Closing: Sunday – Friday
Blackouts: 1/19-21, 2/16-23

CHINA PEAK
Valid: Sunday – Friday
Blackouts: 1/20-21, 2/17-18

HOMEWOOD MOUNTAIN RESORT
Valid: Sunday – Friday
Blackouts: 1/19-21, 2/16-18

SIERRA-AT-TAHOE
Valid: Jan 7 – Mar 9: Monday – Friday; Mar 10 – Apr 19: Sunday – Friday
Blackouts: 1/2-6, 1/19-21, 2/16-22
Blackout: None

MT. SHASTA ski park
Valid: Tuesdays: 9am – 4pm; Thursdays: 3pm – 9pm
Blackout: None

SQUAW VALLEY
Valid: Jan 2 – Apr 6: Tuesday – Thursday; Apr 7 – Closing: Sunday – Friday
Blackouts: 1/19-21, 2/16-23

Colorado

COPPER MOUNTAIN
Valid: 7 Days a Week
Blackouts: 3/9-16

CRESTED BUTTE
Valid: 7 Days a Week
Blackouts: 2/16-17, 3/10-13

LOVELAND SKI AREA
Valid: Sunday – Thursday
Blackouts: 1/19-21, 2/16-18, 3/24-28

MONARCH MOUNTAIN
Valid: 7 Days a Week
Blackouts: 1/19-20, 2/16-17, 3/9-23

POWDERHORN
Valid: Tuesday – Thursday
Blackout: None

WINTER PARK RESORT
Valid: Monday – Friday
Blackouts: 1/2-4, 1/21, 2/18, 3/11-15, 3/25-29

Michigan

Swiss Valley Ski Area
Valid: Jan & Feb: Sunday thru Friday; March: 7 Days a Week
Blackout: None

Timber Ridge
Valid: Sunday thru Friday; Saturday after 4pm
Blackout: None

Mt. Brighton Ski Area
Valid: Monday & Tuesday / All Day; Wednesday thru Friday / Day Only; Sat. after 6pm & Sun. after 5pm
Blackout: None

Apple Mountain
Valid: 7 Days a Week
Blackout: None

Cannonsburg Ski Area
Valid: 7 Days a Week
Blackout: None

Snow Snake Mountain
Valid: Mondays Only
Blackout: None

Boyne Highlands
Valid: Sunday thru Friday
Blackout: 1/19-21, 2/16-18

Boyne Mountain
Valid: Sunday thru Friday
Blackout: 1/19-21,, 2/16-18

Caberfae Peaks Ski Resort
Valid: Jan & Feb: Sunday thru Friday; Saturday after 5pm; March: 7 Days a Week
Blackout: 2/17

Cross Country Ski Headquarters
Valid: 7 Days a Week
Blackout: None

Crystal Mountain
Valid: Jan & Feb: Monday thru Thursday; March: 7 Day a Week
Blackout: 1/21, 2/18

Hanson Hills
Valid: Saturday and Sunday
Blackout: None

The Homestead Resort
Valid: Friday thru Sunday
Blackout: 1/19-21, 2/16-18

Mt. Holiday Ski Area
Valid: Sunday thru Friday
Blackout: 1/19-21, 2/16-18

Nub’s Nob Ski Area
Valid: Tuesdays Only
Blackout: None

Shanty Creek Resort
Valid: Jan & Feb: Fridays & Sundays; March: 7 Days a week
Blackout: 2/15-18

Treetops Resort
Valid: Friday & Sunday All Day
Thursday & Saturday, after 4pm
Blackout: 1/19-21, 2/16-18

Big Powderhorn Mountain
Valid: 7 Days a Week
Blackout: 1/19-21, 2/16-18

Blackjack Ski Resort
Valid: Sunday thru Friday
Blackout: 1/20, 2/20

Marquette Mountain Ski Area
Valid: Sunday thru Friday after 9:30 am
Blackout: 1/19-21, 2/16-18

Mt. Zion Ski Hill
Valid: 7 Days a Week
Blackout: None

Pine Mountain Resort
Valid: Monday thru Friday
Blackout: 1/21, 2/18

Mont Ripley
Valid: 7 Days a Week
Blackout: 1/19, 2/16

Oregon

Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort
Valid: Fridays only
Blackout: None

Hoodoo Ski Area
Valid: Thursdays, 9am-4pm; Friday – Saturday, 4pm-9pm
Blackout: None

Mt. Ashland
Valid: Jan 10 – Mar 15: Thursday – Friday, 3pm-9pm
Blackout: None

Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort
Valid: Jan 2 – Mar 7: Wednesday – Thursday, 3pm-9pm
Blackout: None

Mt. Hood Ski Bowl
Valid: Wednesdays, 9pm-10pm; Fridays, 9am-4pm
Blackout: None

Timberline Lodge
Valid: Jan 2 – Apr 19: Tuesdays, All Day; Jan 2 – End of Night Season: Friday – Saturday, 4pm-10pm
Blackouts: 3/19, 3/26

Taking part in this offer could save a family a substantial amount of money during the 2013 ski season. If you see Bug and I on the slopes this season, be sure to yell out…

Save Money, Travel More!