Industry News
[Updated 2:40 p.m., MST, January 6, 2025]
On December 27, the Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association (PCPSPA), representing nearly 200 patrollers and mountain safety staff, initiated a strike after contract negotiations with Vail Resorts broke down. At the heart of the dispute are wages and benefits, with the union seeking to raise the base wage from $21 to $23 per hour to keep pace with inflation and the cost of living.
- Related: Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association Continues Contract Negotiations With Vail Resorts
Although Park City Mountain Resort has stayed open, the patrol strike and low snow have profoundly affected resort operations. There are only 20-30 patrollers on the mountain as opposed to the normal 120. Long lines, limited terrain, ticket sale cutoffs, and unattended injured guests are a few of the alleged issues.
Vail Resorts claims that it has invested significantly in its patrol staff, citing a more than 50% wage increase over the past four seasons. It has proposed a $1,600 equipment allowance and a 4% increase. The average seasonal patroller wage is over $25 per hour, and experienced patrollers earn 35% more than entry-level positions. The union contends that the company has failed to present counteroffers on wages or benefits for over two weeks before the current standoff.
While the union asserts that negotiations have been ongoing for months, resort management expressed disappointment over the strike. Despite the ongoing dispute, both sides desire to reach an agreement, and all involved hope it happens sooner. Stay tuned here for all the updates.
Below is a letter from Deirdra Walsh, Chief Operating Officer of Park City Mountain, released on January 6 in response to the videos emerging on social media regarding the current patroller strike. It offers insights into how the strike is impacting both the team and the broader community.
Letter from Park City Mountain COO Deidra Walsh
Note: Park City Mountain and and the patrol union are in mediation today, January 6, and Tuesday, January 7. As of today, Park City Mountain has opened 51 additional trails since since the strike began, with 2,277 total skiable acres available to guests.
As published by The Park Record on January 6, 2025.
By Deirdra Walsh, Chief Operating Officer of Park City Mountain
Skiing and snowboarding are such an important part of our community. At Park City Mountain, we are deeply committed to showing up every day, working hard to bring our mountain to life for our guests and the community. And when we fall short, no matter the cause, we do not take it lightly.
I know the experience at the mountain over the peak holiday period was frustrating for our skiers and riders. On behalf of the resort, I want to apologize to everyone that we haven’t been able to open the terrain we had hoped for by now, and that the line wait times were longer than usual during the peak holiday, because of the ski patrol union strike. This was not the holiday skiing and riding experience anyone wanted, and we know that.
But what we are doing is opening the terrain we can safely open with the people we have each day during the strike. We strive for transparency on operations. And the truth is that during this unprecedented time, each day is dynamic, and we are doing the best we can to keep guests informed. What I also know is that the commitment from our working patrol team right now is nothing short of remarkable. It is heartbreaking to see not just them, but all our employees, putting up with relentless harassment online and in person that is absolutely shameful. They don’t deserve it, and it needs to stop.
Nobody wins in a strike.
Over the months of negotiations with the patrol, we did make progress. We had agreed to 24 of the 27 contract items the union opened. Conversations were not always easy, but they were respectful. When we both agreed we were not making progress on the remaining articles, we both agreed to mediation. And we were committed to the process that goes with it. We had three mediation sessions scheduled for December 26 and 27, and January 2, based on the assigned mediator’s availability. The union made the choice to walk out after just the first session because they knew that is when it would impact the experience most. We never walked away. By choosing to strike during the peak holiday, the union hurt their fellow employees, skiers and snowboarders, and their neighbors.
People have asked, “Can’t you just pay patrol $2/hour more?” It’s never been about 2 dollars. There’s a lot of misinformation surrounding these negotiations. First, please know; we care deeply about the work of our ski patrol; we have invested a lot in them and will continue to. Second, they are asking for much more than $2/ hour. In fact, on the day they went on strike, their demands equaled $7/hour more. Finally, you should know that we have come to the table with compelling offers.
Still, we remain committed to reaching an agreement that demonstrates our respect for them. Both negotiation teams met with the mediators four days last week, and additional mediation is scheduled for this week. That is progress towards an agreement. And when this ends, we will move forward together because that is who we are as a team.
In the meantime, I have one ask: please be kind to the people who are working so hard to keep the mountain open. The harassment that our employees have been subjected to over the past two weeks is not in the spirit of our community’s values.
$7 more per hour X8, x120 =$6720. per day.
That equals about 335 parking reservations that they just started requiring. hmmm
Sounds reasonable to me. Having been a resident of Park City and working for Vail Corp on and off for years. The town and their politics are a fool’s amble into an overpriced ski town. If you want to work or ski here. Just be prepared to see behind the scenes. Some times the show, and the snow will fail to deliver your dreams and fantasies. But we do like your $$$ 20,000 a family trip! Have you spent a couple of hours in the cottonwood canyons just getting to your reserved parking spot yet? You haven’t even put your jacket on yet. Just don’t forget your patience and your wallet! Book your tickets to Utah Now!