Cold is Cool Passport
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Cold is Cool
4th and 5th Graders Ski Free with our App!
MSIA Cold is Cool Passport allows Fourth and Fifth Graders to Ski Free in Michigan! Families can obtain a Cold is Cool Ski & Ride Passport App for their 4th and/or 5th graders that gives them up to three free lift tickets or trail passes at 29 participating ski areas, plus additional discounts on the slopes and in Michigan ski shops. MSIA charges $30 for the passport; $25 covers operating expenses and $5 goes to MIsnow, a new charitable organization that helps get underprivileged kids out on our slopes & trails in the winter. MIsnow also works to preserve the strong cultural past of Michigan skiing and protect its future with sustainability education.
In addition to the lift tickets donated by the participating ski areas, Cold is Cool Passport also includes a coupon for 20% off a helmet purchase and $20 off the purchase of $100 at participating ski shops across the state. Some ski areas have also included coupons for equipment rental and free or discounted lessons.
The Passport is an app to download on your phone, making it contactless at the lift ticket window.
Once the application is complete, you will receive an email with instructions on how to download the app.
To get a lift ticket, you will bring your child and your phone (or other device that you have loaded the app on) to the ski area. Show the offer you want to redeem to the ticket attendant and press the redeem button to receive your child’s lift ticket or other offer in the Cold is Cool App. It’s that simple!
CHECK YOUR PASSPORT APP FOR EXCLUSION DATES AND THE SKI AREA’S WEBSITE before heading to the slopes. Know before you go!
You can also show proof of grade at a participating ski shop and gain instant access to the Cold is Cool App. No need to wait for MSIA’s approval or upload proof of grade!
- Check out these Ski Shops Selling the Cold is Cool Passport App
- Check this link to get step-by-step instructions on how to redeem a passport offer!
- This video guides you through redeeming an offer on the app.
- Still having problems? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions here.
The demand for rental equipment is high! If you need equipment we suggest you make arrangements before you head to the slopes. You may want to rent from a ski shop nearby.
Program Details
- Proof of 4th or 5th grade status is required. One page of a report card or progress report is sufficient. If the child is home schooled, the parent or guardian can include a note stating the child’s grade equivalent.
- You must also upload a photo (headshot) of your child, which serves as an ID.
- MSIA charges $30 for the Cold is Cool Passport App, which covers program costs, maintenance and a $5 donation to MIsnow.
- The Passport is valid through the end of the 2022/23 ski season. Dates vary by ski area.
- In order for fourth and fifth graders to use the free lift or trail passes, a paying adult must accompany them.
- The Cold is Cool Passport cannot be used when an adult obtains a lift ticket with the White Gold Card or other discounted lift ticket programs.
See participating ski areas and their offers below
Cold is Cool Ski Areas & Offers (Note! This list is tentative and some blackouts may change.)
| Upper Peninsula | |
| Big Powderhorn Bessemer, (906) 932-4838 | Blackout 12/24/21 – 1/1/22, 1/15 - 1/17/22 and 2/19 - 2/21/22. Season pass does not count as a paid adult ticket. Valid 2 times |
| Big Snow Resorts: Blackjack, Bessemer, Indianhead, Wakefield 1-800-346-3426 | Blackout 12/24/21 – 1/1/22, 1/15 - 1/17/22 and 2/19 - 2/21/22. Valid for a BIG TICKET, which includes skiing at both Blackjack and Indianhead Mountain Resort! Season pass does not count as a paid adult ticket. Valid 3 times |
| Marquette Mountain Resort, Marquette, (906) 225-1155 | Valid all season. No Blackout dates! Season pass does not count as a paid adult ticket. Valid 2 times |
| Mont Ripley Hancock, (906) 487-2340 | Blackout 12/24/21 – 1/5/22. Season pass does not count as a paid adult ticket. Valid 2 times |
| Pine Mountain Iron Mountain (906) 774-2747 | Valid all season, no blackout dates! Season pass does not count as a paid adult ticket. Valid 2 times |
| Porcupine Mountain Ontonagon, (906) 885-5209 | Valid all season, no blackout dates! Valid 2 times |
| Northwestern Lower Peninsula | |
| Boyne Highlands Resort Harbor Springs, 1-866-934-9350 | Blackout 12/26/21-1/2/22, 1/15/22-1/17/22, 2/19-2/21/22. Boyne Highlands is treating the Passport as a "Pass" so parents should purchase their tickets online in advance. Valid 3 times downhill and 3 times cross-country. |
| Boyne Mountain Resort Boyne Falls, 1-866-931-3191 | Blackout 12/26/21-1/2/22, 1/15/22-1/17/22, 2/19-2/21/22. Boyne is treating the Passport as a "Pass" so parents should purchase their tickets online in advance. Valid 3 times downhill and 3 times cross-country. |
| Caberfae Peaks Cadillac, (231) 862-3000 | Valid with purchase of an Adult Open-to-Close lift ticket ($79 Saturdays, $59 Sundays and $39 Midweek). Not valid 12/26/21-1/1/22, 1/15-1/17/22 7 2/19-2/20/22. Not valid with season pass tickets. Valid 3 times. |
| Cross Country Ski Hqts. Roscommon, 1-800-832-2663 | Blackout 12/24/21 – 1/1/22, 1/15 - 1/17/22 and 2/19 - 2/21/22. (Cross-country skiing only.) Valid 2 times |
| Crystal Mountain Resort Thompsonville, 1-888-968-7686 | Valid w/purchase of adult open-close ticket. Blackout 12/24/21 – 1/2/22, 1/15 - 1/17/22 and 2/19 - 2/21/22. Passport is treated like a season pass, so parents should purchase their ticket in advance. Valid 2 times downhill and 2 times cross-country |
| Hickory Hills Traverse City 231-922-4900 | Blackout 12/24/2021 - 1/1/2022 Valid 2 times |
| Bay Mtn. at The Homestead Glen Arbor, (231) 334-5249 | Valid all season, no blackout dates! Check website for hours of operation. Valid 3 times downhill |
| Mt. Holiday Traverse City, (231) 938-2500 | Blackout 12/24/21 – 1/1/22, 1/15 - 1/17/22 and 2/19 - 2/21/22. Season pass does not count as a paid adult ticket. Valid 2 times |
| Nub's Nob Harbor Springs, 1-800-SKI-NUBS | Blackout 12/24/21-1/1/22, 2/19 - 2/20/22 Valid 2 times downhill and 2 times cross country |
| Shanty Creek Resorts Bellaire, (231) 533-3000 x 3383 | Valid all season, no blackout dates! Important! Due to the pandemic, lift ticket sales may be limited. We suggest you pre-purchase adult tickets before heading to the slopes. You will need an adult lift ticket in order to redeem a passport lift ticket. Valid 3 times downhill & 3 times cross country |
| North Central Lower Peninsula | |
| Hanson Hills Grayling, (989) 348-9266 | Blackout 12/15/2021 - 1/5/22 Valid 3 times |
| Otsego Resort Gaylord, 1-800-752-5510 | Blackout 12/24/21 – 1/1/22, 1/15 - 1/17/22 and 2/19 - 2/21/22. Valid 2 times |
| Snow Snake Ski & Golf Harrison, (989) 539-6583 | Valid all season, no blackout dates! Valid 2 times |
| Treetops Resort Gaylord, 1-866-348-5249 | Blackout 12/24/21-1/2/22, 1/15/22-1/17/22 and 2/19/22-2/21/22 Season pass does not count as a paid adult ticket. Due to high demand, rental equipment may be limited. Valid 2 times |
| West Central and Southwestern Lower Peninsula | |
| Bittersweet Otsego, (269) 694-2820 | Valid all season, no blackout dates!. Season pass does not count as a paid adult ticket. Valid 2 times |
| Cannonsburg Ski Area Belmont, (616) 874-6711 | Valid Mon. - Fri. only. Blackout 12/24/21 – 1/1/22, 1/15 - 1/17/22 and 2/19 - 2/21/22. Season pass does not count as a paid adult ticket. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount, school club card or season pass. Valid 2 times |
| Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park, Muskegon (231) 744-9629 | Blackout 1/17 - 1/19/22 and 2/18 - 2/21/22. (Cross-country skiing only.) Valid 2 times |
| Swiss Valley Ski Area Jones, (269) 244-5635 | Valid all season, no blackout dates! Season pass does not count as a paid adult ticket. Valid 2 times |
| Timber Ridge Ski Area Gobles, (269) 694-9449 | Valid all season, no blackout dates! Valid 2 times |
| Southeastern Lower Peninsula | |
| Alpine Valley Ski Area White Lake, (248) 887-2180 | Blackout 12/20/21 – 1/5/22, 1/15 - 1/17/22 and 2/19 - 2/21/22. Not valid on weekends (Sat - Sun) Season pass does not count as a paid adult ticket. Valid 2 times |
| Mt. Brighton Brighton, (810) 229-9581 | Not valid on weekends (Fri.-Sun.) Blackout 12/20/21 – 1/2/22, 1/17/22 and 2/21/22. Season pass does not count as a paid adult ticket. Valid 2 times. |
| Mt. Holly Holly, (248) 634-8269 | Valid all season, no blackout dates! Season pass does not count as a paid adult ticket. Valid 2 times |