Twelve ski resorts throughout the West – many with prodigious pow stashes – have united to offer skiers and riders the opportunity to broaden their powdery horizons with a brand new “Powder Alliance” pass.

There just announced deal gives local season passholders three free days of skiing or riding at Crested Butte, Colo.; Sierra-at-Tahoe, China Peak, and Mountain High, Calif.; Arizona Snowbowl, Ariz. ; Mt. Hood Skibowl and Timberline, Ore.; Schweitzer, Idaho; Stevens Pass, Wash.; Angel Fire, N.M.; Bridger Bowl, Mont.; and Snowbasin, Utah. That’s a total of 36 free days.

“It really means great added value for skiers and riders and gives them the incentive to explore the West,” Schweitzer Mountain Resort’s Sean Briggs told SnoCountry.com. “It helps people get out of their comfort zone and visit resorts they might not otherwise consider.”

Briggs said a real advantage to Schweitzer, located in Idaho ’s Selkirk Mountains , is the pass plan could help increase its growing visitor base from the California Bay Area.

If you’re counting, here are the stats: 12 resorts; 123 lifts; 26,782 vertical; 17,804 skiable acres; 3,919 inches average annual snowfall.

Use of the pass is limited to persons holding full, anytime season passes at the participating resorts. It entitles them to three free days at all of the other resorts, plus special offers on lodging, rentals, buddy tickets, and more.

Free tickets are valid Sundays through Fridays (not Saturdays or during holidays) during the 2013-14 season. Each resort’s deals, blackout dates, and special offers are listed on the individual resort websites. There are no membership fees, collective pass prices, or any other additional fees. All you need to do is show your valid season pass from a participating resort at the ticket window.

“The Powder Alliance magnifies the value of participating areas and gives winter enthusiasts the variety, flexibility, and affordability to chase magnificent powder and some of the best-known mountains in the country,” said Crested Butte’s Scott Clarkson in the program’s formal announcement. “The Powder Alliance is the best value of any group pass product.”

The Powder Alliance pass offers a new coalition added to previously-developed passes from Vail Resorts ( Epic Pass ) and The Mountain Collective. Briggs credited John McColly of Mountain High and Stevens Pass with spearheading the project. More resorts may be added.

What It Means: The Powder Alliance is a welcome addition to these relatively new collections of resorts offering pass deals. Encouraging skiers and riders to try new resorts and experiences most certainly builds enthusiasm for exploration of new horizons, while growing the base for the participating resorts. As the announcement of the Powder Alliance says: “It makes a great winter road trip.”