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Brighton and Solitude ski resorts are offering a joint season pass this season, extending a trend of resorts giving passholders access to more than one area.

For $999, the Big Cottonwood Pass will allow devotees of that canyon to pick between Brighton and Solitude any day of the year — plus nights at Brighton.

That is $200 more than a Solitude-only season pass. Brighton's 2013-14 season pass rate has not been set.

"Big Cottonwood Canyon is a uniquely beautifully place," said Solitude Mountain Resort Manager Dave DeSeelhorst, touting the resorts' combined 3,700 acres of terrain, including 130 trails served by 15 lifts. "[We] have more variety of terrain and amenities than any other area can provide."

The resorts are connected by the upgraded SolBright Trail. With improvements to the trail, said Brighton Resort Manger Randy Doyle, "skiing between the two areas is quick, easy and will add an entirely new dimension to skiing in Big Cottonwood."

There are no blackout dates, said Brighton spokesman Jared Winkler, but there is one kicker: Big Cottonwood passes must be bought before Nov. 2.

"This is really good for consumers. There are more options this year and they'll save some money," he added, referring to the expanded offerings several Utah resorts have made available to patrons this season.

Passholders at Alta, Snowbird, Deer Valley and Park City will get three free days at each of the three resorts that are not their mainstay. Alta and Snowbird passholders also can buy Mountain Collective passes good for visits to several major Western resorts.

Vail Resorts, which now operates Canyons Resort, has a $689 Epic Pass good for all of that company's resorts in Colorado, California and beyond. Snowbasin Resort is part of a "Powder Alliance" providing reciprocal skiing rights at 13 Western resorts.

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