Industry News
The Keystone Ski Patrol Union (KSP) is in the midst of its first contract negotiations with Vail Resorts since unionizing last year, seeking fair wages and improved working conditions for its patrollers. With only a quarter of the proposed contract terms agreed upon so far, the union has ramped up its efforts to push for meaningful progress, highlighting frustrations over stalled negotiations and low wages in a region with steep living costs.
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Negotiations began in September 2024 but have moved slowly, with the union waiting for Vail Resorts to respond to the majority of its proposed terms. The patrol is advocating for starting wages of $23 per hour, aligning with the agreement reached by Park City Ski Patrol following a weeks-long strike that ended just days ago. Currently, Keystone patrollers earn a starting wage of $21.50 per hour, which the union argues falls short of providing a livable income in Summit County.
On December 18, 2024, Keystone Ski Patrol staged a “walk-in” demonstration, with around 60 patrollers gathering in solidarity before starting their workday. The patrollers, joined by off-duty colleagues, walked into their locker room together to demonstrate their ability to mobilize. During the action, the union delivered a letter to Vail Resorts leadership outlining their demands for timely and significant contract agreements.
The union also filed an unfair labor practice charge against Vail Resorts, alleging the company failed to provide merit raises earned by patrollers last season. It claimed Vail Resorts was violating the status-quo requirement during contract negotiations, a legal obligation under labor law that prohibits employers from changing the terms and conditions of employment during contract negotiations with a union. Additionally, the union criticized Vail for counterproposals that removed standard contract terms previously agreed upon with other unionized patrols.
Keystone Ski Patrol emphasizes the demanding nature of their work, which includes medical emergencies, avalanche mitigation, and technical rescues in challenging conditions. Despite these responsibilities, many patrollers report struggling to afford housing and working multiple jobs to make ends meet.
“We’re not just first responders; we’re a full-fledged EMS service,” the union wrote in a social media post, adding that their work requires extensive mental and physical sacrifices to ensure guest safety. The patrol argues that their expertise and dedication should allow them to live and thrive in the community they serve.
Keystone’s negotiations follow a tentative agreement at Park City Mountain, where ski patrollers secured wage increases and improved working conditions after a highly publicized strike. Breckenridge Ski Patrol Union, whose current contract expires in May 2025, is next in line to negotiate with Vail Resorts, signaling a broader push by ski patrol unions across the company’s portfolio.
While negotiations at Keystone have remained cordial so far, the union has made it clear they will not tolerate delays or inadequate offers. As contract talks resume, the Keystone Ski Patrol Union hopes to reach an agreement that reflects the value of their contributions to resort operations and guest safety.
Vail Resorts has not yet commented on the status of the negotiations.
