November 9, 2005 – Canadian kids in Grade 5 qualify to ski and snowboard free this winter, courtesy of the Canadian Ski Council.

The Grade 5 SnowPass program supported by Nissan, offers Canadian school children born in 1995 up to three free days of skiing or snowboarding at each of the participating ski areas in the region in which they live. Nearly 150 ski areas are participating across Canada, with 47 ski areas in the Western SnowPass and 102 ski areas in the Eastern SnowPass. Ski areas participating in the program are located in all major ski regions and close to all major Canadian urban centres. For the program’s ninth year, several new ski areas have pledged to participate, and offer these fun and healthy winter activities to kids in Grade 5.

“Skiing and snowboarding are excellent ways to get kids outside and active in winter,” says Colin Chedore, President of the Canadian Ski Council (CSC). “Studies have shown that when kids are dressed warmly and exposed to healthy, cool outside air their metabolic rates speed up and they burn calories faster. What’s more, skiing and snowboarding are family sports that everyone can enjoy.”

The Grade 5 SnowPass includes coupons that can be used for the whole family-including discounts or rebates on lift passes and equipment rentals. Each Grade 5 student who applies will receive either an Eastern or Western SnowPass booklet (depending on where they live in Canada) which contains up to three ski-free coupons per ski area. Some participating areas also offer a bonus Grade 6 coupon that can be used next season.

New for the 2005/2006 SnowPass program is the “Tell-a-friend” referral contest. Any SnowPass applicant who refers another child to the program will be entered into a draw to win fantastic ski and snowboard prizes. Also new is the program’s sponsor, Nissan, plus an updated SnowPass image that includes hip graphics and logos.

Grade 5 SnowPass applications are available online at two new websites: www.snowpass.ca <http://www.snowpass.ca> and www.passeportdesneiges.ca <http://www.passeportdesneiges.ca>. The applications are also being circulated Canada-wide by grade 5 elementary school teachers, and at Sport Mart, Sport Chek, Sports Experts, and Intersport stores across the country.