A strike by the ski patrol at Park City Resort, North America’s largest ski area by acreage, has disrupted operations for more than a week during the peak season. The strike, involving 200 patrol members and mountain safety staffers, has led to the closure of a majority of the Utah resort, impacting visitors and resort management alike.
Mediated talks between Vail Resorts, the owner of Park City Resort, and the Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association have been ongoing for 10 months without significant progress. The union, seeking better wages and benefits, has not yet reached an agreement to end the strike.
As a result of the strike, only a fraction of the resort's trails and lifts are operational. Resort management has been utilizing supervisors and nonunion ski patrol members from other resorts to maintain some level of service for guests, albeit with limited capacity.
Despite recent snowfall of 31 inches over the past week, the lack of ski patrol staff has hindered the safe opening of additional terrain for skiing. This has led to frustration among visitors, with reports of long lines at the operational lifts.
Vail Resorts has stated that ski patrol wages have increased by 50% over the past four years, with an average hourly rate of $25. However, the union argues that the proposed 4% raise is insufficient, especially considering the high cost of living in the Park City area.
The union is advocating for higher wages, improved benefits, and educational opportunities for its members. They emphasize the need for fair compensation, particularly for senior workers who have dedicated years to the resort.
The strike, which commenced on December 27, has coincided with one of the busiest weeks of the ski season. This has impacted both the resort's operations and its financial performance, with shares of Vail Resorts experiencing fluctuations in response to the ongoing labor dispute.
