Last updated: March 8, 2026
(I’ll continue to update this post as we use our Passport throughout the winter!)
Winter in Maine is long, snowy, and full of possibility — but it can also get expensive when you’re trying to keep kids active and happy through the season. That’s why the WinterKids Passport has become such a treasured resource for families across the state.
Originally created in the early 2000s as a simple ski passport for 5th graders, the program was built to help Maine kids get outside, stay active, and fall in love with winter regardless of family income or experience level. Since then it’s grown into a statewide winter access program that connects families to free and discounted skating, skiing, snowshoeing, gear rentals, trail passes, and more at 75+ partner locations across Maine — all for one low price.
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What Is the WinterKids Passport
For just $40 per family, the Winterkids Passport gives families a season’s worth of discounted winter fun — usually at a fraction of the usual cost. One membership unlocks:
- Free junior lift tickets at partner ski mountains (with paid adult tickets)
- Free or discounted ice skating and trail passes
- Discounts on gear rentals and other winter activities
- Special Passport Family Days with extra perks like capped pricing on lift & rental packages
All of this is easily accessed through the WinterKids app, where you can browse local offers, see participating partners, and track redemptions — perfect for busy families planning weekend outings.
Read More: Why every Maine Family Should Have a WinterKids Passport this Winter.
Where We’ve Used Our WinterKids Passport
The Rink at Thompson’s Point — Ice Skating
WinterKids Offer: Free junior skate session with a paid adult skate session (twice per child)
Our visit: 2 adults + 2 kids
Regular Cost:
- Skate Session: $12 x 4 people =$48
- Parking: $2/hr × 2 hrs = $4
Savings with Passport:
- $12 saved per child on junior skate sessions = $24 saved
Amount Spent:
- $28
This made an early-winter skating adventure much more approachable — even on a busy weekend.
Our guide to the Rink at Thompson’s Point can be found here.
Pleasant Mountain – Downhill Skiing
WinterKids Offer: Free junior lift ticket with a paying adult (valid once per child ages 6-12)
Our visit: 1 adult + 1 kid
Regular Cost:
- Adult 1-day lift ticket = $97
- Junior 1-day lift ticket = $69
Savings with Passport:
- Free Junior Lift Ticket = $69 saved
Amount Spent:
- $97
A weekend day at Pleasant Mountain felt like a timeless winter outing — layers, lodge breaks, and plenty of time on the snow, all at a price that worked for our family.
Read our full list of family friendly ski mountains near Sebago Lake
Salt Pump Climbing Co. — Indoor Rock Climbing
WinterKids Offer: Save 50% on a kid climbing session (valid once per child ages 12 & under)
Our visit: 1 child + 1 non-climbing adult
Regular cost:
- Youth day pass: $18.50
- Shoe rental: $6
- Harness rental: $6
Savings with Passport:
- 50% off youth climbing = $15.25 saved
Amount Spent:
- $15.25
This was a fun indoor adventure on a particularly cold day — and we tried something new without paying full price.
More info about Salt Pump Climbing Co in Scarborough can be found in our guide here!
Mt. Abram — Downhill Skiing (WinterKids Family Day)
WinterKids Offer: One free junior lift ticket with a paid adult lift ticket; $20 sibling (junior) lift tickets; $20 parent lift tickets
Our visit: 1 adult + 1 junior (6+) + 1 tiny tot (5 & under)
Regular Cost:
- Adult Lift Ticket: $42
- Junior Lift Ticket: $42
- Tiny Tot (5 & under): Free
Savings with Passport:
- One free junior lift ticket & one discounted adult lift ticket- $64 saved
Amount Spent:
- $20
This turned a full day on the mountain into an easy “yes” — making a new-to-us ski area feel completely within reach for our family.
Five Fields Farm — Cross-Country Skiing
WinterKids Offer: Free junior trail pass and free junior rental equipment with a paid adult trail pass
Our visit: 1 adult + 1 junior skier
Regular Cost:
- Adult Trail Pass: $20
- Adult Rental Equipment Package: $18
- Junior Trail Pass: $15
- Junior Rental Equipment: $15
Savings with Passport:
- Free junior trail pass & free junior rental equipment — $30 saved
Amount Spent:
- $38
This made it easy to try cross-country skiing together without worrying about the full cost of rentals for everyone.
Harris Farm — Cross-Country Skiing
WinterKids Offer: Free junior trail pass and free junior rental equipment with a paid adult trail pass
Our visit: 1 adult + 1 junior skier on a weekday
Regular Cost:
- Adult Trail Pass (weekday): $15
- Adult Rental Equipment Package: $20
- Junior Trail Pass (weekday): $8
- Junior Rental Equipment: $10
Savings with Passport:
- Free junior trail pass & free junior rental equipment — $18 saved
Amount Spent:
$35
Instead of worrying about paying for rentals and trail passes for everyone, we were able to focus on getting outside, trying the trails together, and letting a first-time skier build confidence on gentle farm paths.
Maine Warrior Gym — Open Gym
WinterKids Offer: Free youth admission to open gym
Our visit: 2 kids
Regular Cost:
Youth Open Gym Admission: $18 per child
Savings with Passport:
Free youth open gym admission — $36 saved
Amount Spent:
$0
This made for an easy high-energy outing on a wet day. The kids were able to run, climb, swing, and try the obstacles without the pressure of a class.
Cumulative Savings So Far
| Item | Amount Paid | Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Thompson’s Point Rink | $28.00 | $24.00 |
| Pleasant Mountain Skiing | $97.00 | $69.00 |
| Salt Pump Climbing Co. | $15.25 | $15.25 |
| Mt Abram Skiing | $20 | $64 |
| Five Fields Farm XC Skiing | $38 | $30 |
| Harris Farm XC Skiing | $35 | $18 |
| Maine Warrior Gym | $0 | $36 |
| Passport cost | $40.00 | |
| Total to date | $273.25 | $256.25 |
Halfway through February we’ve already saved nearly as much as we spent on winter fun — with plenty of winter still ahead to make it an even better investment.
Why the WinterKids Passport Works
The Passport isn’t just about dollars saved — it’s about making winter accessible, encouraging families to try new activities, and helping kids develop lifelong habits of outdoor play. That’s the spirit behind WinterKids’ work, which has grown from a small school-based ski program into a statewide initiative reaching tens of thousands of Maine kids and families each year.
Families tell WinterKids that the Passport often pays for itself with the first outing — and then keeps giving back as the season goes on.
Whether your family skis, skates, snowshoes, snowboards, or just wants more reasons to embrace winter together, this one membership delivers opportunities — and memories — that far outweigh the cost.
Disclosure
As a WinterKids Ambassador, I was gifted a WinterKids Passport for the 2025-2026 winter. All thoughts and experiences shared here reflect our family’s honest opinions while showcasing what families can expect when using their passport.
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