Kids ski free June Mountain

Taking the entire family skiing isn’t exactly known for being cheap.

Lift tickets. Rentals. Lessons. Lodging. Food. Multiply all of that by a couple of kids and suddenly your relaxing family ski weekend starts looking suspiciously like a major financial decision.

June Mountain does things a little differently.

Kids 12 and under ski and ride free at June Mountain, making a winter trip to June Lake one of the best options for families looking to get their kids on the mountain without buying another round of lift tickets.

And the free ticket isn’t the only reason families keep coming back.

Sitting just above June Lake, June Mountain has long had a reputation as the family mountain of the Eastern Sierra. It’s smaller and more relaxed than its famous neighbor up the road, which is exactly the point. For parents introducing kids to skiing or snowboarding, sometimes you don’t need the biggest mountain. You need a mountain where everyone can actually enjoy the day.

At June, the pace is different. Get the kids geared up, head to the mountain and spend the day skiing instead of trying to conquer an enormous resort in eight hours.

For younger skiers, that can make a huge difference.

Learning to ski is already a lot. Boots are weird. Helmets are weird. Getting on a chairlift is weird. Someone will probably need a snack immediately after you finally get everyone’s gear on.

June Mountain gives families room to figure it out.

Experienced skiers and riders aren’t left out either. June has terrain for a range of abilities, so families with different experience levels can still make a day of it. Parents can get some real skiing in while younger family members build confidence on the mountain.

And then there’s the view.

From the mountain, you look directly over June Lake and out across the Eastern Sierra. On a clear winter day, it’s worth stopping for a minute before pointing the skis downhill again.

Make It a June Lake Weekend

The best part about skiing June Mountain is that your trip doesn’t have to feel like you’re staying at a giant ski resort.

Stay in June Lake and make the town part of the weekend.

Cabins, lodges and vacation rentals around the Loop give families a place to settle in rather than simply sleep between ski days. Wake up in the mountains, get everyone fed and head up to June Mountain. At the end of the day, come back into town, get out of the ski boots and figure out where everyone wants to eat.

Or let the kids fall asleep at 7:30.

Also a successful ski day.

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After the mountain, support one of the local restaurants around the Loop. Hot food tastes considerably better after spending the day skiing, and eating locally helps support the small community that makes a June Lake winter possible.

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And if everyone still has energy, spend some time exploring town instead of immediately planning another activity.

Family vacations don’t need to be scheduled down to the minute.

Why June Lake Works for a Family Ski Trip

The appeal of June Mountain isn’t that it tries to be everything.

It’s that it doesn’t.

You can come to June Lake, put the kids on skis, spend a day together on the mountain and still feel like you’re on a small-town winter vacation.

For families who return year after year, that’s often what turns a ski trip into a tradition.

The first chairlift ride. The first time someone skis without holding your hand. The first run everyone can finally ski together.

Eventually, the kid who needed help putting on their boots is waiting for you at the bottom.

And at June Mountain, you don’t have to buy them a lift ticket while they’re figuring it all out.

Before You Go

The Kids Ski Free program, operating dates, ticket procedures and mountain conditions can change, so check current June Mountain information before your trip. You’ll also want to review current requirements for children’s tickets, rentals and lessons before arriving rather than waiting until everyone is standing at the mountain in ski boots.

Winter driving conditions can change quickly in the Eastern Sierra as well. Check the weather and road conditions, carry required traction equipment and give yourself extra time during storms.

Then get the family up here.

Ski a few runs. Take too many pictures. Stop for hot chocolate. Let the kids decide they’re done before you are.

You can always come back tomorrow.

That’s the beauty of staying in June Lake.