Industry News
Telluride’s ski patrol is preparing for the possibility of a strike as contract negotiations with Telluride Ski & Golf Resort reach an impasse, according to new reporting from KPCW.
Graham Hoffman, president of the Telluride Professional Ski Patrol Association, told KPCW on December 13 that patrollers “still hold out a glimmer of hope,” but added it is “becoming more and more likely that we’re going to strike.” The union has not chosen a walkout date but said the community would be notified ahead of time to avoid surprises.
Negotiations have dragged on for months. The union unanimously authorized a strike in November after the previous contract expired August 31. Patrollers asked the resort, known locally as Telski, for a best and final offer earlier this month. According to The Colorado Sun, 99% of union members voted to reject that offer on December 8. As of December 15, Hoffman told KPCW there has been “radio silence” from the company.
Telski spokesperson Nancy Clark said in a statement to KPCW that a strike would cause widespread disruption, predicting guest cancellations and a loss of seasonal employees if patrol walks off the job. Patrollers are seeking first-year wages around $30 an hour, which is about a 28% increase from current starting pay, along with paid time off, health insurance stipends, and equipment stipends. The union says those combined benefits amount to roughly a 35% raise. The company’s final proposal, detailed in a public FAQ, included a 13% wage increase and guaranteed cost-of-living adjustments in future seasons.
The standoff mirrors last winter’s high-profile strike in Park City, where Vail-owned Park City Mountain saw patrollers walk out for 13 days during the peak holiday period. Telluride, however, is privately owned, which makes its situation different as Vail Resorts would not be directly involved.
The dispute also lands amid broader tension between the resort’s ownership and segments of the Telluride community. The Denver Post reported in October that some locals are calling for owner Chuck Horning to sell the resort, citing eroding trust and allegations of sexual misconduct from several women. A resort spokesperson told the newspaper that Horning has no plans to sell.
Despite the looming strike, Telluride remains part of the Epic Pass network, granting Epic Pass holders seven days at the resort. On a December 10 earnings call, Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz said Telluride access “helps pass sales,” though he emphasized that no revenue from the privately owned resort flows to Vail, according to KPCW.
KPCW reports that patrollers will continue responding to calls and working under their expired contract unless they officially strike. For now, Telluride waits to see whether peak-season operations will unfold with—or without—its professional ski patrol.
