LOOKOUT PASS - The famous Free Ski School at Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area will embark upon its 75th season on Saturday, Jan. 10.

Nearly 500 children ages 6 to 17 have already registered for the 10-week program. Registration is available at www.skilookout.com/famous-free-ski-school.

Lookout Pass is launching its Free Ski School in conjunction with National Learn a Snow Sport Month, an annual ski industry promotion conducted in January by national, regional and state associations.

The ski school is a nonprofit that draws students from across the Spokane area, North Idaho and western Montana. Since 1940, volunteer instructors have introduced nearly 60,000 children to skiing and snowboarding.

Sessions run every Saturday until March 14.

Classes for beginners start at 10 a.m. Intermediate and advanced lessons begin at 11:30 a.m.

There's a registration desk in the main lodge for parents wishing to register their children in person. Registration closes on Jan. 24.

Kids may participate in as many, or as few, of the Saturday sessions as they want. No lift ticket is required during the lesson sessions.

Equipment is not included. The Lookout Pass rental shop is stocked with all the skis, snowboards, boots, poles and helmets students need. It is recommended to rent gear at least an hour ahead of time to allow sufficient time to get to the assigned class.

Lift tickets are required after the lesson session for those wishing to continue skiing or riding for the day.

Junior all-day tickets for ages 7 to 17 are $29, plus Idaho sales tax. Chair 4-only tickets are $12, plus tax. The program concludes with a barbecue and awards ceremony on March 14.

The Lookout bus operates every Saturday while the school is in session. Buses make round trips to Lookout Pass and back from the Ski Shack in Hayden and Tri-State Outfitters in Coeur d'Alene. Fare is $12.

The school operates as a separate entity from the Lookout Pass Snow Sports School. Professional instructors at Lookout's Snow Sports School offered more than 1,800 lessons in winter 2013-14 to skiers and snowboarders of all abilities, from 6-year-olds to seniors. Private, semi-private and group lessons are available every day the ski area is open.

During Learn a Snow Sport Month in January, the Snow Sports School's Guaranteed Learn to Ski and Ride Package is discounted to $39.

Online reservations may be made at www.skilookout.com/packages.