January is National Learn a Snow Sport Month with more than 200 resorts offering free or discounted ski, snowboard, and cross-country ski and snowshoe lessons for beginners. Find packages and deals. You can also follow the deals on Twitter and Facebook.

Many resorts are pulling out all the stops for families with increased programming, free lift tickets and free flights. Visit Snowmamas.com for help planning a family ski trip from moms who know!

Several states also offer "passports" for kids of certain ages allowing them to ski free-once you have filled out the paperwork and paid a small processing fee- all season.  They include fourth graders in New York; fifth graders in Colorado and Vermont; fourth and fifth graders in New Hampshire, fifth and sixth graders in Utah, and fifth, sixth and seventh graders in Maine.

There are also many adaptive programs around the country for those with physical and mental challenges including the National Sports Center for the Disabled in Winter Park, CO; the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center also in CO; the National Ability Center in Park City, Utah, and Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports.

I've written extensively about many of the top ski areas in North America (just search my columns and travel diaries for more information on specific resorts and be sure to check out the 2012 Taking the Kids Family Ski Guide). Here is just a sampling of how you and your kids can get the most bang for your buck playing in the snow this winter:

APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN CLUB in New England offers snow-loving families a different kind of winter outdoor adventure, cross country skiing, snow-shoeing, and ice-skating. You can even plan a winter adventure with experienced AMC guides. Custom adventures are available at both AMC's Joe Dodge Lodge and Highland Lodge in the White Mountains and families can pick the activity, time and skill level at a cost of just $75 for a guide for the family.

BEAVER CREEK Colorado is a great resort for mixing luxury and winter activities. Visit during "Beaver Creek Loves Kids" weeks, including February 18-25, March 10 - 31, and Easter Week April 1-7 and get complimentary kids' lift tickets, ski and snowboard lessons, gear rentals and some meals when accompanied by a paying adult.

BOLTON VALLEY RESORT is the only Vermont resort  to offer night skiing and riding (Wed, Thursday and Friday nights) when tweens and teens rule. You can also give your kids a lesson in being green-the wind turbine near the top of Vista quad produces an eighth of the resort's energy needs.

BROMLEY MOUNTAIN RESORT is celebrating its 75^th anniversary this year, and is the only ski area in Vermont that faces totally south which means it could be warmer. Combine Bromley's $49 midweek/non-holiday ticket with Bromley's fantastic Family Friday deal, where each paying adult pays just $15 per kid for up to three kids, except for holidays, and a family of four skis for just $128-not much more than a single lift ticket costs at major resorts.

HEAVENLY RESORT in California overlooks Lake Tahoe. You can ski in California or Nevada! The kids will love the 60-foot jumps in Jackpot Terrain Park and the largest tubing hill in the west at Adventure Peak.  If your teens are angling to go in the back country, you can hire a guide from Heavenly's Adventure Sessions program, check out and find out what the locals know about. Pay for five nights lodging at Heavenly and receive the sixth and seventh night for free. Also, if you pay for a four-day ski lift ticket you will get the fifth day free.

KEYSTONE RESORT. Less than an hour from Denver, with three mountains where families can not only snag an inexpensive  condo  but get access to an array of discounted or free activities including skating and ice hockey, snowshoeing, snow biking, snow tubing, even Science Snow Tours offered by the Keystone Science School. Keystone is a Vail Resort, which means that its ski and snowboard school is first rate. Your kids will love the huge snow fort, the Kidtopia Festivals throughout the season, Disco tubing and more.

MT BACHELOR in Bend, Ore is the largest ski resort in the Cascade Range where kids, 18 and under, can ski free if an adult in their family purchases a multi-day ticket! If you are new to skiing or riding, check out the "Ski or Ride in 5" program:  For $199  you or your kids get five lessons, five rental packages, and five lift tickets.

PARK CITY. Located in Utah, Park City is a short shuttle ride from Salt Lake City airport, which is home to three major kid-friendly resorts. The Canyons; Deer Valley, where the luxe Montage recently opened and aims to cater to well-heeled families (no snowboarders at Deer Valley!), and Park City Mountain Resort, which promises there will be no more than 5 kids or adults in your group lessons.

SMUGGLERS' NOTCH in Northern Vermont, not far from Burlington or Montreal, is known in New England for its top-notch children's facilities (including infant care) and  off the slope activities including a zip line.  Come in January and get half off daycare for those under three.

SNOWMASS. The largest of the four fabulous mountains in Aspen, Co., Snowmass is kid central with its $17 million Treehouse Adventure Center complete with its own climbing "wall" for pre-schoolers. Kids stay and ski free the entire month of March and April with the purchase of lodging and lifts by an adult for four or more days.  Purchase adult rentals as part of the deal and kids rent free too.  

SQUAW VALLEY USA has a newly renovated Children's Center and offers Learn to SKI/Board Day every month with lift ticket, lessons and rentals for $35 on selected days.

WATERVILLE VALLEY RESORT in New Hampshire offers 250 acres to ski or ride, a big Nordic Center that is groomed daily and a Town Square just a short walk from most of the resort accommodations. There's even an indoor ice rink. Book online 24 hours in advance and you can get a Learn to Ski or Ride package for just $39 including a two hour-lesson, equipment and a lower mountain lift ticket.

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Here are some recently found deals from TravelScream: 

Visit Salt Lake

Ski Salt Lake! One Super Pass, 4 Resorts, BIG Savings

Destination Resorts Snowmass

Snowmass Ski & Stay: 3 Condo Nts + Lift Tickets Pkgs

Destination Resorts Vail

Vail/Lionshead: 25% Off 2- to 4-Bdm Luxury Mtn Condos - From $375

Vail Racquet Club Winter

Vail: Ski and Stay! Ski rental Package from - $246/nt