MSIA Cold is Cool Passport allows Fourth and Fifth Graders to Ski All Winter Long 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!
Want to get your child’s passport app today? The Passport Application Kit, which contains download instructions and your own code to log in will be available at the ski shops listed below. We suggest calling in advance of your arrival, to check on their available supply. Make sure you bring proof of grade to the store for a store associate to verify it! You don’t pay at the store. You pay once you download the app.
Bill & Paul’s Sporthaus
1200 E Paris RD SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616) 458-1684
Boyne Country Sports
Bloomfield Hills, (248) 338-0803
Boyne Highlands (231) 526-3006
Boyne Mountain (231) 549-6006
Grand Rapids, (616) 420-6060
Novi, (248) 347-3323
Petoskey (231) 439-4906
Traverse City, (231) 941-1999
Crystal Mountain Sports
12500 Crystal Mountain Dr.
Thompsonville, Michigan 49683
(855) 995-5146
Don Orr Ski Haus
890 Munson Ave
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 946-8810
Marquette Mountain Ski Shop
4501 M-553
Marquette, MI 49855
(906) 225-1155
Moosejaw Bike & Snow
284 W. Maple Rd.
Birmingham, MI 48009
(248) 212-0565
Moosejaw
410 Ionia Ave. SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 570-0135
Nichol’s Ski & Snowboard
Dearborn, (313) 565-0044
Waterford, (248) 674-5200
Schummer’s Ski Shop
20778 Mack Avenue
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236
(313) 881-4363
Shumaker’s Ski & Snowboard
2342 S. Ballenger Hwy.
Flint, MI 48503
(810) 239-6931
Shumaker’s at the Stable
300 S. Hamilton St.
Saginaw, MI 48602
(989) 401-3430
Sun & Snow Sports
Ann Arbor, (734) 663-9515
Plymouth, (734) 927-0007
The Peak Ski & Sports
2867 Orchard Lake Road
Keego Harbor, MI 48320
(248) 499-8860
The Shop at Milham Park
4200 Lovers Lane
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
(269) 344-7639
Treetops Resort Ski Shop
3962 Wilkinson Rd
Gaylord, MI 49735
(855) 318-0678
Vertical Drop Ski Shop
6325 Sashabaw Rd., Suite E
Clarkston, MI 48346
(248) 241-6509
Getting started
Redeeming an offer in person (at lift ticket window)
Using the PDF option (example: sending a child with another family)
I forgot my password, how can I reset?
Please follow this link to reset your password: https://msia.winterkids.org/membership/password/new
You’ll receive an email with a link to create a new password. Please create a
password that is unique and that you can remember.
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I’m in the app, trying to redeem an offer but it won’t let me. It says I have to
“Upgrade” my membership, but I’ve already paid and we’ve been approved.
This is our most common issue, and we apologize for the inconvenience! Please
log out of the app, click off of it and then log back in.
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How do I redeem an offer in the App?
Check out this link for step-by-step instructions.
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Help! I made a mistake with my information
Please contact MSIA staff at coldiscool@winterkids.org and let us know what
error was made. Please allow us 24 hours to reply to your email.
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How do I log into the Cold is Cool App?
After downloading the WinterKids App, select ‘Cold is Cool’ for Michigan. You
can click the ‘sign in’ tab on the top right of the App, or you can click any offer
and click the ‘sign in to continue’ tab. Enter the email and password you used
when creating your membership. Check out this link for step-by-step instructions.
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I didn’t receive my welcome email.
First, please check your spam or junk folder. The emails come
from coldiscool@winterkids.org. You can mark the email as ‘important,’ ‘star’ or
‘VIP’ so you will receive emails from that address in the future.
You can also click this link for a copy of the information that was sent in the
welcome email.
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How do I download the App?
You can search for the WinterKids App in the Apple or Google Play stores or
follow one of the following links
Apple: WinterKids on the App Store (apple.com)
Google: WinterKids on the Google Play store
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I redeemed an offer in error.
Please contact a MSIA staff member at coldiscool@winterkids.org. Provide the
name of the child, name of the offer and date redeemed.
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How can I add a passport holder to my account?
If you have a current passport for your child and you would like to purchase another for your additional child, you can do so online here: www.msia.winterkids.org/my_account Use your email address and password to sign in. Below your account information, click the ‘ADD’ button. Enter the passport holder and payment information to apply. MSIA will review the passport application within 2 business days and you will receive a welcome email once the passport has been approved.
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How do I send my child to a ski area with PDF vouchers for multiple days?
Each offer in the Cold is Cool Passport can be redeemed once per passport, per day. If you would like to send your child with multiple PDF vouchers to the same ski area you will have to redeem the desired offer on two separate days. (i.e. I redeem the offer on Monday for Saturday and then again on Tuesday for Sunday. Then I print and give the vouchers to my child to bring with them for the weekend.) Please plan ahead in these cases.
If you have any questions, call (248) 620-4448.
Please Note: You must provide proof of 4th or 5th grade status. 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. Please bring this with you to the store, along with a completed Cold is Cool Application. Once you download the app, you will pay online and upload a photo of your child.
Upper Peninsula | |
Big Powderhorn Bessemer, (906) 932-4838 | Blackout 12/24/23 – 1/1/24, 1/13 - 1/15/24 and 2/17 - 2/19/24. Season pass does not count as a paid adult ticket. Valid 2 times |
Marquette Mountain Resort, Marquette, (906) 225-1155 | Blackout 12/24/23 – 1/2/24, and 2/17 - 2/19/24. Season pass does not count as a paid adult ticket. Valid 2 times |
Mont Ripley Hancock, (906) 487-2340 | Blackout 12/24/23 – 1/5/24. 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 |
Snowriver Mountain Resort, Wakefield 1-800-346-3426 | Valid all season, no blackout dates! Season pass does not count as a paid adult ticket. Valid 3 times |
Northwestern Lower Peninsula | |
Boyne Mountain Resort Boyne Falls, 1-866-931-3191 | Boyne Mountain uses RFID cards to access lifts and trails. In the Passport there is ONE offer, for three days downhill and ONE offer for three days cross country with the following blackout dates: 12/24/23-1/2/24, 1/13-1/15/24, 2/17-2/19/24. Parents are encouraged to purchase their lift tickets in advance. Then, on their first visit only, take your child to the lift ticket window and redeem the offer in front of the attendant. Boyne will check credentials and then print an RFID card for the student with three days loaded on the card, with restricted days blacked out. The student then may go direct to lift! Upon their first scan at the chairlift, a single day is automatically deducted from their RFID card. Valid 3 times downhill and 3 times cross-country. |
Caberfae Peaks Cadillac, (231) 862-3000 | Blackout 12/26/23 - 1/1/24, 1/13-1/15/24, 2/17-2/19/24. Valid with purchase of an Adult Open-to-Close lift ticket ($59 Saturday, $49 Sunday and $39 Midweek). Season Pass does not count as a paid adult lift ticket. |
Cross Country Ski Hqts. Roscommon, 1-800-832-2663 | Blackout 12/24/23 – 1/1/24, 1/13 - 1/15/24 and 2/17 - 2/19/24. (Cross-country skiing only.) Valid 2 times |
Crystal Mountain Resort Thompsonville, 1-888-968-7686 | Valid w/purchase of adult open-close ticket. Blackout 12/24/23 – 1/2/24, 1/13 - 1/15/24 and 2/17 - 2/19/24. Parents should purchase their ticket in advance. Valid 3 times. |
Forbush Corners Gaylord (989) 889-2843 | Valid all season, no blackout dates! Valid 3 times cross country skiing or snow shoeing. |
Hickory Hills Traverse City 231-947-8566 | Valid all season, no blackout dates. Season pass does not count as a paid adult ticket. Valid 2 times downhill and 2 times cross country. |
The Homestead Glen Arbor, (231) 334-5000 | Valid with purchase of adult all-day ticket. Valid all season, no blackout dates! Valid for downhill 3 times. Visit www.thehomesteadresort.com for hours of operation. |
Mt. Holiday Traverse City, (231) 938-2500 | Blackout 12/24/23 – 1/2/24, 1/13 - 1/15/24 and 2/17 - 2/19/24. Season pass does not count as a paid adult ticket. Valid 2 times |
Nub's Nob Harbor Springs, 1-800-SKI-NUBS | Blackout 12/24/23-1/1/24, 2/17 - 2/19/24 Valid 2 times downhill and 2 times cross country |
Shanty Creek Resorts Bellaire, (231) 533-3000 x 3383 | Valid all season, no blackout dates! You will need an adult lift ticket or a season pass in order to redeem a passport lift ticket. Valid 3 times downhill & 3 times cross country |
The Highlands at Harbor Springs Harbor Springs, 1-855-448-8582 | The Highlands uses RFID cards to access lifts and trails. In the Passport there is ONE offer, for three days downhill and ONE offer for three days cross country with the following blackout dates: 12/24/23-1/2/24, 1/13-1/15/24, 2/17-2/19/24. Parents are encouraged to purchase their lift tickets in advance. Then, on their first visit only, take your child to the lift ticket window and redeem the offer in front of the attendant. The Highlands will check credentials and then print an RFID card for the student with three days loaded on the card, with restricted days blacked out. The student then may go direct to lift! Upon their first scan at the chairlift, a single day is automatically deducted from their RFID card. Valid 3 times downhill and 3 times cross-country. |
North Central Lower Peninsula | |
Hanson Hills Grayling, (989) 348-9266 | No blackouts, valid all season long! Valid 3 times downhill and 3 times cross country. |
Otsego Resort Gaylord, 1-800-752-5510 | Blackout 12/24/23 – 1/1/24, 1/13 - 1/15/24 and 2/17 - 2/19/24. 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 12/24/23 – 1/2/24, 1/13 - 1/15/24 and 2/17 - 2/19/24. Season pass does not count as a paid adult ticket. Due to high demand, rental equipment may be limited. Valid 2 times downhill & 2 times cross country |
West Central and Southwestern Lower Peninsula | |
Bittersweet Resort Otsego, (269) 694-2820 | Valid all season, no blackout dates! Season pass does not count as a paid adult ticket. Valid 2 times. Due to high demand, rental equipment may be limited. |
Cannonsburg Ski Area Belmont, (616) 874-6711 | Valid Monday - Friday only. Blackout 12/24/23 – 1/1/24, 1/13 - 1/15/24 and 2/17 - 2/19/24. 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 1/13 - 1/15/24 and 2/17 - 2/19/24. (Cross-country skiing only.) Valid 2 times |
Swiss Valley Ski Area Jones, (269) 244-5635 | Blackout 12/24/23 – 1/1/24, 1/13 - 1/15/24 and 2/17 - 2/19/24. 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 | Not valid on weekends (Sat - Sun.) Blackout 12/22/23 – 1/2/24, 1/13 - 1/15/24 and 2/17 - 2/19/24. 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 12/23/23 – 1/1/24, 1/15/24 and 2/19/24. 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 |