Negotiations Sputter Amid Ski Patrol Strike at Park City Mountain Resort

Long lift lines, extended emergency response times, and limited accessibility are just a few of the major issues plaguing Park City Mountain Resort, amidst the ski patrol union strike.

Park City Mountain Resort ski patrol union members pose for an image while picketing at the mountain. / Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association

The ski patrol strike at Park City Mountain Resort reached critical mass, as union negotiations stall. Last week, over 200 members of the Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association (PCPSPA) walked off the mountain in protest of the stalled contract talks with Vail Resorts, the corporate owner of the Utah ski destination.

Representing the ski patrollers, the union demands higher wages and improved working conditions for its members. Motivating factors for the union are the rising cost of living in the Park City area and the physicality of the patrollers' jobs as just a few reasons for the negotiations.

According to PCPSPA, Vail Resorts proposed a pay increase, but the proposal still leaves many patrollers struggling to make ends meet.

Negotiations between the two sides have been ongoing for months but reached an impasse after the union rejected Vail Resorts’ latest offer. The company claims its proposal includes competitive wages and benefits, such as healthcare and ski passes, which align with industry standards.

Vail Resorts got hammered on CNBC this afternoon for the Park City fiasco. "The stock's been lousy for quite some years...If you want to run a travel and leisure company, you darn well better give the experience that you are advertising." Stock down 6.5% today. pic.twitter.com/dLwqyncWRZ

— Lift Blog (@liftblog) January 3, 2025

Union representatives argue that the offer falls far short of the wages needed to attract and retain skilled patrollers to fill job slots in this high-risk profession.

The strike disrupted operations at Park City Mountain Resort, one of the largest ski areas in the United States. The resort brought in temporary staff to cover the vacant safety and rescue positions, but many skiers and snowboarders expressed concerns over their safety and the overall experience at the resort.

Community support for the ski patrol remains robust, with rallies held in downtown Park City and petitions circulating online demanding Vail Resorts reach a fair agreement. Local businesses voice their support, emphasizing ski patrollers' essential role in ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment for visitors.

Park City ski patrol strike members proudly display signs while they picket for better wages and job-site conditions at Park City Mountain Resort. / Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association

As the strike continues, pressure mounts on Vail Resorts to find common ground with the union. With peak ski season underway, the clock is ticking for both sides to resolve the dispute and restore normalcy to Park City Mountain Resort.