Every winter, we run across a good number of "kids ski free" deals. They usually work the same way: You book a minimum of five or so nights' lodging plus adult lift tickets and in return you get complimentary lift tickets for your children. But The Homestead, an elegant, two-centuries-old grand hotel in Hot Springs, Virginia, is offering something we can't recall ever seeing before: Free ski lift tickets for the whole family, with no minimum stay.

The "Family Ski Free" package starts at $199 per night (not including taxes and a 15% daily resort charge) and includes complimentary lift tickets for a family of four to the Homestead Ski Area, which has 10 ski trails and five lifts. It's a terrific deal. Lift tickets for a family of four are worth $120 ($35 x 2 adults + $25 x 2 youths). Room rates during the winter period usually start at $185, so you're essentially getting the lift tickets for just $14. Other winter activities at The Homestead include snowtubing, snowmobiling, and ice skating.

This package is available for visits January 2 to March 17, 2009. Book online or call 866/354-4653 and use the promo code "1208eblastSkFree."