Ski patrollers at Park City Mountain Resort, the largest ski area in the U.S., have initiated a rare strike over wages they deem insufficient amid rising living costs. This strike, which began on December 27, coincided with the busy holiday season and has recently continued into the New Year, creating operational challenges within the resort.
The labor dispute has resulted in reduced staffing at the resort, located approximately 30 miles east of Salt Lake City in Utah’s Wasatch Range, leading to several ski runs being closed and extended wait times for ski lifts. Many skiers expressing their discontent have joined the protest by chanting, “Pay your employees!” in lift lines.
Unionization efforts have become more prevalent across U.S. ski resorts, including the union representing Park City ski patrollers, who are employed by Vail Resorts— the world’s largest mountain resort operator with a portfolio of 42 properties globally.
The Park City Professional Ski Patrollers Association, during stalled negotiations, is advocating for a wage increase from $21 to $23 per hour, citing an ongoing battle for a livable wage amid steep inflation. The union asserts that at least $27 per hour is needed to support workers in high-cost areas like Park City.
Patrollers perform critical roles including accident response, terrain monitoring, and avalanche mitigation, and are advocating for better compensation and recognition for their skills and experience. They are particularly focused on ensuring that long-tenured patrollers are adequately rewarded for their dedication.
The resort has historically increased wages, providing a 50% raise from $13 to $21 an hour in 2022, and currently offers a 4% raise along with annual equipment stipends. However, union representatives argue that this is insufficient for workers facing high living costs.
The ongoing strike has left much of Park City Mountain Resort inoperable. Recent snowfall has not alleviated the situation, with only 25 of 41 lifts and 103 of 350 trails currently accessible, showing the significant impact of the labor action.
Solidarity has emerged from patrollers at other Vail Resorts locations, including Breckenridge and Keystone, as workers express concern over the broader implications of this strike on wages and working conditions within the industry. Other resort employees, including instructors and snow groomers, are also hopeful that the outcome of the strike will lead to better wages for all staff.
Mediation efforts between the union and Vail Resorts are ongoing, with discussions scheduled to continue in the coming days. As negotiations unfold, Park City is expected to receive more snowfall over the weekend, further complicating the situation amidst labor unrest.
