Forget the beach. Bridget Kerr, 10, would rather play in the snow.

''Winter is my favorite season,'' declares the fifth-grader from Shelburne, Vt.

Eleven-year-old Nate Gourd, an avid snowboarder from Manchester, Vt., couldn't agree more. ''You feel like you're flying when you come down the mountain,'' he says, adding that kids ``definitely should wear helmets.''

Meet Vermont's vice presidents of fun. Bridget -- who says she's always waiting at the bottom of the mountain for her ''slowpoke'' family -- and Nate, the proud, sole snowboarder in a family of skiers, won their posts through an essay contest sponsored by Ski Vermont. The lucky duo will blog about their exploits at Vermont ski areas this winter at www.skivermont.com and let kids know that all fifth-graders -- whether they live in Vermont or not -- can ski free three times each at 18 of the state's ski areas, as long as they sign up for a Fifth Grade Passport at the kids zone at www.skivermont.com.

There are similar Fifth Grade Passport programs in Colorado (www.coloradoski.com or e-mail passport@coloradoski.com) and Utah (www.skiutah.com or e-mail skiinfo@skiutah.com). These programs may also include deals for equipment rentals and lessons.

The leaves aren't even off the trees but snow sports-loving kids and Bridget Kerr -- are counting the days until they can get out on the mountains to try out their latest tricks. Let's not let the dire economic news deter us from having some fun in the snow this winter either. Sure mountain sports can be pricy, but they can also prove to be wonderfully memorable family times, whether kids are preschoolers who are seeing snow for the first time, fifth-graders who are showing off a new trick on their snowboards or college students bringing their significant other to meet the family.

There are also many terrific opportunities for those with special challenges to enjoy winter sports at deeply discounted prices with adaptive equipment and specially trained instructors at programs like the National Ability Center (www.discovernac.org) in Park City, Utah, the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (www.boec.org) in Colorado and Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports (www.vermontadaptive.org).

If we plan smart -- and in advance -- we can hit the slopes with the kids without busting the budget. In fact, there are more deals than ever to choose from -- everything from kids fly and ski free, deeply discounted lesson packages for first timers to free nights and credits for airline baggage fees that will allow you to stay and ski for little more than the cost of a lift ticket. Before you book anywhere, check online to see what special deals and value-added amenities the resort is offering.

For example

• If you are heading to Stowe, Vt., (www.stowe.com) buy your lift tickets online a week ahead and save 15 percent -- even at holidays -- and save even more on kids' ski school.

• Get a free lift ticket the day you fly in at Park City, Utah resorts. (Visit www.parkcityinfo.com/quickstart for details.)

• Get a $50 gas card with the Green Package at Northstar-at-Tahoe in California (www.northstarattahoe.com).

• Book a four-night package at one of Vail Resorts' five resorts, including Heavenly in California, by Dec. 1 and qualify for a $50 ''baggage bailout'' for each guest to defray airline fees. (Call 866-949-2573 to book.)

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