Today, July 18, 2013, 12 western ski resorts announced a new partnership called the Powder Alliance. The deal provides three free days of skiing at Crested Butte, Snowbasin Resort, Sierra-at-Tahoe, Stevens Pass, Timberline, Schweitzer, China Peak, Mountain High, Arizona Snowbowl, Mt Hood Skibowl, Angel Fire Resort, and Bridger Bowl, with the purchase of a season pass at any one of those resorts. On the surface, a total of 33 free days of skiing across the western United States seems like the deal of a lifetime. When delving further into the details of the pass, a couple of things should be noted.

Photo courtesy of Sierra at Tahoe

In order to be eligible for Powder Alliance benefits, one must purchase the unlimited pass at the resort of their choosing. This means no midweek, spring or restricted passes. Tickets are only valid on non-holidays, Sunday through Friday, leaving holidays and Saturdays out of the question for a trip to any of these resorts—unless you’re willing to pay full price for lift tickets.

That being said, those that can take advantage of the benefits outlined in the Powder Alliance partnership are able to ski for free at nine resorts that average over 300 inches of annual snowfall, simply by purchasing an unlimited season pass at any one of the twelve participating resorts. Not too shabby of a deal if you ask us.

What are your thoughts about the Powder Alliance? How does it stack up to similar group pass offerings such as the Epic Pass and Mountain Collective?

For more information, visit PowderAlliance.com.