While most ski resorts are becoming more expensive, one ski hill in New England is doing the opposite. Storrs Hill Ski Area in Lebanon, New Hampshire, is offering free skiing and snowboarding for the entire 2025–26 winter season. This is the second year in a row the ski hill has done this. It is about two hours from Boston.
Storrs Hill is more than 100 years old and is mostly run by volunteers. The free-skiing program is supported by the Jack & Dorothy Byrne Foundation. The goal is simple: to keep skiing affordable and open to everyone, especially the local community.
The ski hill opened in 1923 and keeps its old-school charm. Around 50 volunteers usually run down the hill, helping with lifts, grooming, and even social media. This year, 10 more volunteers were added because more people are expected to visit. Last season, around 2,500 skiers and snowboarders came—four times more than the year before, when tickets cost $10–$15. This shows that when skiing is affordable, more people want to enjoy it.
Many young skiers begin their journey at Storrs Hill. Even Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin trained here as a child. The hill offers programs for kids as young as 4 years old, starting with the Sno-Puppies program. Lessons are available for beginners and advanced skiers, including ski jumping. One-hour lessons start at $75, with higher prices for non-residents.
Storrs Hill does not rent ski equipment, but nearby shops do. Local stores in New Hampshire and Vermont offer daily or seasonal rentals, making it easy for visitors to get gear. The ski hill is open to the public Friday to Sunday, starting December 26 and closing in mid-March. To ski for free, visitors simply need to stop by the ticket booth—no payment required.
Other Places to Ski for Free
If you are looking for more low-cost skiing options, Howelsen Hill Ski Area in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, offers free skiing every Sunday. It is the oldest ski area in North America. Ski apparel brand Helly Hansen also offers free lift tickets at many resorts when you buy select ski clothing.