If you and your family are ready to trade in cabin fever for outdoor winter thrills, the WinterKids Passport, now on sale for its 16th season, may be for you.
Since its inception in 1997, the WinterKids Passport program has helped over 50,000 Maine kids and their families try new winter activities, including downhill and cross country skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, snow tubing and even dog sledding! All 5th, 6th, and 7th graders in Maine are eligible for a Passport, which contains free and discounted tickets, lessons, and rentals at 52 outdoor recreation areas all over the state. The Passport offers over $1800 worth of family-friendly outdoor winter fun for the price of $25.

“The WinterKids Passport completely transformed our family’s attitude toward winter and, more importantly, transformed our behavior,” said Kelly Desrosiers, a WinterKids Passport parent. “Winter went from being a non-physical indoor season to a whole family activity extravaganza!”
“We are so proud to celebrate 16 years of getting kids outside and active in the winter,” said WinterKids’ Executive Director Julie Mulkern. “Thanks to our amazing Passport Partners and sponsors, WinterKids is able to offer over $1800 worth of winter activities that provide outstanding opportunities for families to get healthy and have fun together during Maine’s glorious cold season.”
The WinterKids Passport began in 1997 as a program of the Ski Maine Association, becoming an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2000. Since then, the organization has grown in exciting ways, now delivering innovative programs for families, schools, and communities. Their major community sponsor is Hannaford and their supporting sponsors are TD Bank and L.L. Bean.
For the 2013-2014 season, WinterKids has planned special promotional events at locations throughout the state. The first of these events will take place on November 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Long’s Board Shop, 209 Western Avenue in South Portland. Passport holders will receive a generous discount on winter apparel and equipment when they show their 2013-2014 Passport booklet at the event.
For a complete list of upcoming events, or to purchase a WinterKids Passports, see www.winterkids.org.