Ski patrollers at Utah’s Park City Mountain Resort, the largest ski resort in the United States, have reached a tentative agreement with the resort’s corporate owner, Vail Resorts, to end a nearly two-week strike, the Associated Press reports.
The strike had resulted in closed terrain and long lift lines at one of the busiest times of the year, but the agreement paves the way for the resumption of normal operations.
The Park City Professional Ski Patrollers Association and Vail Resorts have not disclosed specific details of the agreement ahead of a planned ratification vote on Wednesday. The union and resort both released a joint statement confirming that the deal had been approved by ski patrol negotiators and will remain in effect through April 2027.
The strike, which began on December 27, was prompted by the union’s claims of unfair bargaining in negotiations that had been ongoing since March. The union was seeking better pay for ski patrollers, particularly in light of rising inflation and the high cost of living in the resort town of Park City, where the average home price exceeds $1.5 million. The union initially called for a pay increase from $21 to $23 per hour, with $27 considered a livable wage for the area. It also sought higher pay for long-serving patrollers, as the current pay scale caps out after five years of service.
Vail Resorts, which operates 42 properties globally, had previously implemented a 50% base-pay increase for the Park City patrollers in 2022, raising their pay from $13 to $21 per hour. In addition, the company had offered a 4% pay increase and $1,600 annually for equipment. However, the union argued that these adjustments were insufficient to meet the financial challenges faced by the workers.
The strike drew significant public attention, especially given its timing during the holiday season, and many ski resort visitors expressed support for the patrollers. Some even chanted “Pay your employees!” from lift lines. The strike also brought attention to the broader challenges faced by workers in mountain communities where the cost of living can be prohibitive.
Industry observers, such as former ski resort marketing executive Alex Kaufman, suggested that a successful union negotiation could lead to better pay for other ski industry workers, setting a positive precedent. Kaufman noted that when one group of employees successfully secures a fair contract, it can create a “rising tide lifts all boats” effect, benefiting other workers in similar industries.
Ski patrollers are responsible for maintaining safety on the slopes, including monitoring terrain, responding to accidents, and mitigating avalanche risks. It is a specialized, seasonal job that requires specific expertise in mountain terrain and emergency response.
