SOUTH EGREMONT, MA ??” The Catamount Ski Resort in the Berkshires has created a special offer for families with kids in the 4th and 5th grades: free skiing on weekends and holidays.

The “4s and 5s” club is an offshoot of the successful “Fourth Grade Passport” program offered by the Ski Areas of New York Association over the past several years. But while the Passport program was targeted exclusively at New York residents, the 4s and 5s club has no geographic boundaries.

“We want kids out there skiing and riding,” said Catamount General Manager Bill Gilbert. “News stories lately have shown that kids aren’t getting enough exercise and outdoor activity. One of the best ways to do that in the winter is skiing and snowboarding.”

Participating families must pre-register each qualifying child and receive an ID card for each one. Once the card is obtained, Catamount will give a free junior ticket to the registered child when an adult lift ticket is purchased by the parent or guardian.

Application forms may be downloaded from Catamount’s website: www.catamountski.com, or requested by phone.

Catamount is located along the Massachusetts/New York state line in the southern Berkshires, making it easily accessible from western Connecticut, southeastern New York and western Massachusetts. Weather permitting, Catamount will open for the season on November 26.