SAM Magazine—Biwabik, Minn., June 24, 2026—Starting in winter 2026–27, kids ages 12 and under will ski and snowboard for free at Giants Ridge with no blackout dates and no other purchase necessary. The ski area will also introduce free night skiing on Thursdays, 4–8 p.m., this winter.
First developed in the late 1950s by local families who cleared the original runs themselves, Giants Ridge was founded on the belief that skiing should be accessible to the community and future generations, the ski area said.
“As we look back at how Giants Ridge began, it’s clear that affordability and access have always been at the heart of this place,” said general manager Duane Stutzman. “Offering free skiing for kids is a true step toward delivering on that original promise and ensuring that more families can enjoy time together outdoors.”
Kids 12 and under will be given a physical season pass. Parents and guardians will have the option of loading those cards with funds that can be used to purchase food and beverage or other items at the mountain.
Giants Ridge is the latest in a small but growing list of ski areas that are offering free, unrestricted access to youth without any strings attached in an effort to grow the sport, including Antelope Butte, Wyo. (ages 17 and under), Mont du Lac, Wis. (15 and under), and Mountain Capital Partners’ Power Kids Pass, which provides free access to 10 of its ski areas for kids 12 and under.
Nigh skiing on Thursdays will be free for all guests and is aimed at giving local families a unique opportunity to get on snow without the barrier of cost.
“These initiatives are about removing barriers and creating more moments for families to connect,” Stutzman added. “Whether it’s a child’s first run or a quick evening on the hill after work and school, we want Giants Ridge to be the easiest and most welcoming place to make those memories.”
Giants Ridge has 35 trails, 202 skiable acres, and 500 feet of vertical served by five lifts in winter; and a lift-served bike park and two top-rated championship golf courses in summer.
