Here’s a great example of a smart brand linking Facebook, Twitter and SMS to drive positive direct marketing results:

Alpine Meadows Ski Resort in Lake Tahoe, California successfully launched a social media campaign on March 16 — and has experienced great results.

The resort kicked off the campaign by sending a message to its existing mobile database, Twitter followers and Facebook fans. Alpine is asking users to text AMPALS to 67463 for a chance to win a pair of season passes (weekday + Sunday).

To encourage visitors to spread the word, Alpine is allowing users to send friends a text to sign up and win as well.  Each referral also counts as an additional entry for the original customer.

Alpine has found its mobile list eager to pass along information about the contest.  Once fans of the resort realize that the more people they refer the better their chances of winning, subscription activity goes up considerably.

In fact, 45 percent of the entries have come from referrals, with the top referrer so far getting 20 of his friends to text in to sign up.

The campaign runs through April 15th, and Alpine is sending out periodic messages reminding people to text in to the keyword to enter the contest.

You can enter to win the passes by texting AMPALS to 67463.