Ski patrollers, frustrated by their low wages amid rising living costs, have initiated a rare strike at the largest ski resort in the United States. This strike began during the busy holiday season and has continued into the new year, disrupting operations at Park City Mountain Resort in Utah, located approximately 30 miles (48 kilometers) east of Salt Lake City in the Wasatch Range. The ongoing labor action has resulted in limited staffing, leading to many runs being closed and ski lift lines growing longer for visitors.
Despite the inconveniences, some skiers who invested in lift passes have shown support for the patrollers, voicing slogans like “Pay your employees!” through social media clips taken from lift lines. The movement toward unionization is gaining traction at U.S. ski resorts, including Park City Mountain Resort, which is owned by Vail Resorts—the world’s largest operator of mountain resorts with a portfolio of 42 properties spanning three continents.
After negotiations between the patrollers and Vail Resorts stalled, around 200 patrollers went on strike on December 27, citing unfair negotiation practices by the company.
Understanding the role of ski patrollers is essential to grasping the impact of this strike. These professionals ensure safety at resorts by monitoring terrain conditions, responding to accidents, transporting injured skiers, and managing avalanche risks—sometimes involving controlled avalanche releases using explosives when the area is clear. The work is seasonal; once the snow melts, so do the jobs—many patrollers transition to roles guiding activities such as fly-fishing, mountain biking, and whitewater rafting during the warmer months. While some may be entering the workforce, others have years of experience in this physically demanding profession. The union argues that given their specialized training and commitment, ski patrollers deserve fair compensation in the high-cost environment of places like Park City.
The ski patrol’s strike reflects a broader trend of increasing union actions across the U.S. in recent years, with various labor groups achieving notable employer concessions following successful labor disputes, including those at Boeing and numerous dock and casino workers striking in response to working conditions.
The Park City Professional Ski Patrollers Association has been negotiating for a pay raise since March, aiming to increase wages from $21 to $23 per hour, highlighting that $27 an hour would be a livable wage in the expensive Park City area, which is also home to the Deer Valley Resort. They are also advocating for higher pay for veteran ski patrollers, as the current pay scale caps after five years, limiting compensation for these experienced workers. A spokesperson for the union emphasized the need for fair compensation for long-term patrollers to retain their expertise.
Currently, the Park City ski patrol union is part of a broader movement within the Rocky Mountain region, where the number of unionized ski resorts has expanded from four to 16 over the last five years, encompassing a total of 1,100 workers.
In response to the strike, Vail Resorts noted that ski patrollers had already received a substantial pay increase of 50% from $13 to $21 per hour in 2022. They propose a 4% raise for most patrollers and an additional annual stipend of $1,600 for equipment. A representative for Vail Resorts expressed regret for any impact the strike might have on guests’ experiences at Park City Mountain Resort.
The effects of the labor action have been pronounced, as heavy snowfall in the area—totaling over 2 feet (61 centimeters) in the last week—has done little to alleviate the situation, with only 25 of the 41 lifts and 103 of 350 trails operational as of Monday. Reports indicate that Vail Resorts has hired nonunion workers from other locations to assist in maintaining operations at Park City, further complicating the dynamic.
Solidarity has been shown from union ski patrollers at other Vail Resorts properties such as Breckenridge and Keystone, voicing concerns regarding the operational pressures placed upon workers in Park City. Other affected staff, like ski instructors and snow groomers, have also expressed hopes for wage increases should the patrollers succeed in their demands.
The outlook for resolutions remains uncertain. Mediation sessions between the union and Vail Resorts took place recently, with more scheduled to follow. As the weather continues to promise more snow, the situation at Park City Mountain Resort remains dynamic, reflecting larger issues regarding labor conditions in the ski industry.
