Steamboat Springs — A significant part of Intrawest's Passport strategy in the Northeast involves generating reciprocal business among the two Canadian resorts and Stratton.

The Vermont resort is 207 miles from Montreal, much of that distance along an interstate highway, and Quebec City, at an estimated five hours and 352 miles from Stratton, probably would warrant a longer visit.

The Passport won't be available again until spring 2015, but here's how this winter's offer was structured: One adult is required to purchase a primary Passport for $599, allowing them along with as many as 15 of their friends and family, or "framily members," (as Steamboat Ski and Resort Corp. Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing Rob Perlman likes to refer to them) to ski for six days at each of Intrawest's six resorts.

An Intrawest Passport group may comprise as many as five additional adults at $499 each, as many as five teens at $299 each and as many as five children age 12 and younger at no charge. Clearly, the optimum benefit will accrue for families that include children, but each primary adult could choose to use the Passport to reunite any group of skiers and riders they choose for a winter of skiing options from Quebec to Colorado.

A passport group could include the members of someone's college rock band, their softball team, church group or former colleagues. And Passport holders may use their days singly, for long weekends or long vacations. There are no restrictions.

To reach Tom Ross, call 970-871-4205, email tross@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @ThomasSRoss1