Ski Patrol Strike Disrupts Vacations at Park City Resort

Those hoping to ski or snowboard down Park City Mountain are facing serious wait times due to an ongoing ski patrol workers’ strike. 

Members of the The Park City Professional Ski Patrollers Association (PCPSPA), which represents 204 mountain safety workers, went on strike on Dec. 27. They are asking Vail Resorts, which owns Park City Mountain, for increased wages, in negotiations taking place on Monday and Tuesday. 

During this time, a fraction of usual trails and slopes have been open, and visitors have reported on social media that they’re experiencing long lines for the lifts. 

“We are opening the terrain that is safe to open based on the team members we have each day,” Park City Mountain Resort’s website states. “Please expect some operational impacts from the ongoing patrol strike.” 

The PCPSPA said it has held 21 negotiation meetings with Vail Resorts since May and the workers’ demands for a base rate of $23/hour and improved benefits have not been met. A change.org petition has more than 3,900 signatures in support of the workers. 

Leadership at Park City Mountain has responded by doubling down in statements on its website. 

“We are proud of the significant investments we have made into all of our employees, including patrol, which have far outpaced inflation,” said Bill Rock, president of Vail Resorts’ Mountain Division. “Our wages and benefits are strong, as demonstrated by the high return rate among patrol teams across our company and by the number of applicants we get for any patrol opening. Still, we remain committed to reaching an agreement that demonstrates the great respect we have for our patrollers.”