Vail Resorts is taking Colorado’s wildly successful 5th Grade Passport program to the next level with a new pass offering four days of free skiing at each of its four ski areas to kids from kindergarten through 5th grade.

“As a Colorado-based company, Vail Resorts is providing a tremendous opportunity for our community, our families and our kids, to get outside, explore the mountains, and learn and play in the outdoors,” said Gov. John Hickenlooper in a statement announcing the Epic SchoolKids Colorado Pack. “Opening up the possibility for kids’ participation in snowsports — some who may never before have dreamed that they could enjoy such an experience — is an important effort in ensuring that Colorado is the healthiest state in the country for generations to come.”

Colorado’s pioneering 5th Grade Passport program has provided free skiing to the state’s fifth graders for nearly two decades. Colorado Ski Country’s passport program provides fifth graders with three free days at each of its 20 member resorts. Sixth graders pay $99 for the passport pass.

Vail Resorts’ School of Shred program has provided four free ski days of skiing at its four Colorado ski areas to fifth and sixth graders since 2008, when the resort operator left the Colorado Ski Country trade group.

The new Epic SchoolKids program, which begins next seasons, offers four days each at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone to Colorado school kids through fifth grade. The pass also provides a free lesson and gear rental at any of the resorts in January, which the industry designates as Learn to Ski & Ride Month. The pass also provides free summertime lift rides.

“As a Colorado-based company, it is incredibly important that we continue to find ways to connect kids and families in our local communities and around the state with the mountains and the many benefits of snow sports,” said Kirsten Lynch, Vail Resorts’ chief marketing officer, in a statement.

Students can sign up for the Epic SchoolKids pass beginning Monday, March 23 through Memorial Day at Front Range Colorado Ski & Golf, Colorado Ski & Sport and Boulder Ski Deals stores. They have to bring a parent and a copy of their report card, school ID or birth certificate to register.

Learn more at www.epicschoolkids.com.

Jason Blevins: 303-954-1374, jblevins@denverpost.com or twitter.com/jasonblevins