A new pass exchange deal between Mt. Hood Meadows and Intrawest-owned Colorado resorts Winter Park and Steamboat could be the first of several as Meadows joins the partnership bandwagon.

Lift ticket exchanges have become increasingly popular as more skiers and snowboarders follow the snow from resort to resort and large companies offer far-ranging deals such as the Epic Ski Pass and the Mountain Collective. Timberline and Skibowl joined the Powder Alliance in 2013 and Meadows launched a deal with Mt. Baker last season.

Under the new deal with Intrawest, Meadows Unlimited pass holders will receive a total of three free days at Intrawest’s Steamboat and Winter Park Resorts in Colorado. In return Winter Park and Steamboat Season Pass holders will enjoy three free days at Mt. Hood Meadows. The three free days are unrestricted, with no black-out dates.

“Steamboat and Winter Park are premier ski resorts offering legendary terrain, Rocky Mountain powder, and family focused winter adventure experiences,” said Meadows C.O.O. Jake Bolland. “We are thrilled to be able to offer our pass holders a unique opportunity to explore these resorts for free as part of their unlimited season pass benefit.”

Intrawest owns interests in seven “four-season mountain resorts” with more than 8,000 skiable acres and more than 1,130 acres of land available for real estate development. Their properties are located in the Eastern United States, the Rocky Mountains, the Southwest and Canada, but the company does not own property in the Pacific Northwest.

Meadows spokesman Dave Tragethon said there are absolutely no plans to change the independent ownership status at Meadows. “We have had a strong relationship with the Intrawest management team for a long time,” he said. “This partnership will enable us to offer more options to our pass holders, and this may lead to a bigger relationship involving more resorts.”

The exchange with Steamboat and Winter Park combines with another exchange that brings Meadows pass holders five free days at Mt. Baker. The Mt. Baker days are limited to non-peak times, but the Colorado days will be completely open, making them quite valuable. Peak day passes at Winter Park sold for $145 this season, and even early-bird season passes to Steamboat run $1099.

Last modified: April 12, 2016