Official Rules and Frequently Asked Questions

Official rules and frequently asked questions for the 'Ski for Free' Vaccine Sweepstakes.

Official Rules

Booster prizes: All New Yorkers 16 years of age or older who have received a COVID-19 booster shot may enter for a chance to win one of the booster prizes listed.

Children aged 5-11 prizes: Any parent or legal guardian (unless proof of legal emancipation is given) of a New Yorker who is 5 to 11 years of age at the time the child receives their first COVID-19 vaccine dose may enter for a chance to win one of the children 5-11 prizes listed.

Only one valid entry will be accepted per person vaccinated. Duplicate entries will be removed prior to each drawing.

The drawings will be conducted weekly, for six (6) consecutive weeks, beginning on January 3, 2022.

Entries must be completed at https://forms.ny.gov/s3/Ski-for-Free.

Verification of vaccination is required to receive a prize.

By successfully transmitting a completed online entry form, each eligible participant will be entered into the drawing.


Frequently Asked Questions

What is New York State’s ‘Ski For Free’ Vaccine Sweepstakes?

New York State has teamed up with the Ski Areas of New York and the Olympic Regional Development Authority on a vaccine incentive program to offer newly vaccinated and boosted New Yorkers a chance to win free ski lift tickets at participating mountains or resorts. Entrants will choose a preferred region of the State, east or west. If selected, a ticket or tickets will be awarded to a ski area in that region. Here are the participating ski areas:

In the West Region: Holiday Valley (Ellicottville), Bristol (Canandaigua), Woods Valley (Westernville) and Greek Peak (Cortland), Swain Resort (Swain) and Four Seasons Ski Center (Fayetteville).

In the East Region: Whiteface (Wilmington), Gore (North Creek), Belleayre (Highmount), Windham (Windham) and West (Queensbury).

Who is eligible?

  • New Yorkers 16 and older who have received their COVID-19 booster dose or receive their COVID-19 booster dose by February 7, 2022.
  • Children ages 5 to 11 who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine or receive their COVID-19 vaccine by February 7, 2022. Parents and guardians can enter for eligible children (unless proof of emancipation is given).

New Yorkers are encouraged to get their vaccine and booster dose and then enter as soon as possible for the greatest chance of winning.

What are the prizes?

  • Prizes for parents and guardians who enter the State’s ‘Ski For Free’ Vaccine Sweepstakes for eligible 5-11-year-olds who have received at least one vaccine dose include a free set of adult and child ski lift tickets.
  • Prizes for All New Yorkers 16 and older who received their booster dose includes one free adult ski lift ticket.

Is a parent or legal guardian required to enter the sweepstakes on behalf of their minor child?

Yes. The entry form must be completed by a parent or legal guardian of each eligible minor, including eligible children 5-11 who receive their first COVID-19 dose, and eligible 16-17-year-olds who receive their booster dose by February 7, 2022. Verification of entry by a parent or legal guardian is required unless an eligible minor demonstrates proof of legal emancipation.

What mountains and resorts are participating?

In the West Region: Holiday Valley (Ellicottville), Bristol (Canandaigua), Woods Valley (Westernville) and Greek Peak (Cortland), Swain Resort (Swain) and Four Seasons Ski Center (Fayetteville).

In the East Region: Whiteface (Wilmington), Gore (North Creek), Belleayre (Highmount), Windham (Windham) and West (Queensbury).

Do I get to choose which mountain or resort I can go to if I win?

No. You pick the region (east or west) and a ticket or tickets will be awarded from one of the ski areas within that region.

How long are the free ski lift passes valid for?

All lift tickets are valid for the 2021-2022 ski seasons (some blackouts may apply).

How long will New York State’s Ski for Free Sweepstakes run?

Drawings will take place weekly, and the winners will be announced each Wednesday, beginning January 5, 2022 for six weeks. The final winner(s) will be announced on February 9, 2022.

When is the deadline to enter the Ski for Free Sweepstakes?

The drawing schedule is below, and we encourage eligible New Yorkers to get vaccinated and/or boosted and enter as soon as possible for the greatest chance of winning. Your entry must be received by February 7, 2022 at 11:59:59 p.m. EDT to be eligible for the final drawing.

Drawing Schedule:

Entry End Date Drawing Date Announcement Date
January 3, 2022 at 11:59:59 p.m. EST January 4, 2022 January 5, 2022
January 10, 2022 at 11:59:59 p.m. EST January 11, 2022 January 12, 2022
January 17, 2021 at 11:59:59 p.m. EST January 18, 2022 January 19, 2022
January 24, 2021 at 11:59:59 p.m. EST January 25, 2022 January 26, 2022
January 31, 2021 at 11:59:59 p.m. EST February 1, 2022 February 2, 2022
February 7, 2021 at 11:59:59 p.m. EST February 8, 2022 February 9, 2022

Once I submit an entry, am I eligible to win for each weekly drawing?

Yes. Once you enter, your entry will be carried over through all New York State 'Ski for Free' Vaccine Sweepstakes drawings. All winners will be removed from the eligible draw list for subsequent drawings.

Can I enter the sweepstakes more than once?

New Yorkers 16 years and older may only submit one entry. A parent or legal guardian may submit one entry for each eligible child ages 5 to 11. Duplicate entries will be removed prior to the drawing being held.

How will I know if I have been officially entered into the 'Ski for Free' Vaccine Sweepstakes?

An entry confirmation will be displayed immediately after a successful entry is submitted and an email confirmation will be emailed to the address provided on your entry submission.

Can I still enter if the vaccine was given in another state?

Yes. You may enter, but you will need to present acceptable proof of vaccination of one of the three FDA-approved or authorized COVID-19 vaccines. (Note: you MUST be a New York State resident to enter)

Does my child have to be vaccinated before I submit their entry or before the drawing takes place?

Yes. To qualify for the sweepstakes, your eligible child must have received the first dose of your COVID-19 vaccine on or after November 3, 2021. The first COVID-19 vaccination must be received at least one day prior to submitting your entry for you and/or your child in order to be eligible.

I completed the registration for my child who received both doses of the vaccination, which date do I enter?

You can use either date for your submission, provided the date of the vaccination is not later than the date of your entry and within the eligibility period November 3, 2021 through February 6, 2022.