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After 12 days of disruption, the Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association (PCPSPA) and Vail Resorts have reached a tentative agreement to end the ski patrol strike at Park City Mountain. The breakthrough came during a mediated negotiation session on January 7, and the union will vote on ratifying the contract today, January 8.
In a joint statement, both parties expressed optimism about moving forward:
“The Union’s bargaining committee is unanimously endorsing ratification by its unit with a vote scheduled to take place on January 8th. The tentative agreement addresses both parties’ interests and will end the current strike. Everyone looks forward to restoring normal resort operations and moving forward together as one team.”
If ratified, the new contract will remain in effect until April 2027. Specific details of the agreement have not been disclosed, and both parties have declined media requests until after the ratification process concludes.
The strike, which began on December 27, stemmed from disagreements over wages and compensation. The patrollers sought a $2/hour increase to their $21/hour starting wage and a revised pay structure to better compensate experienced employees. Vail Resorts contended that the union’s demands amounted to an average $7/hour wage increase per patroller, excluding benefits and other requests.
The work stoppage significantly impacted Park City Mountain during the peak holiday season, leading to long lift lines, delayed terrain openings, and widespread customer frustration.
The strike drew national and international attention, sparking heated debates on social media and complaints from guests. Park City Mountain COO Deirdra Walsh acknowledged the difficulties in a January 6 letter, apologizing for the holiday disruptions:
“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.”
Walsh also called for civility, emphasizing the importance of treating staff with respect during challenging times:
“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.”
Park City Mayor Nann Worel echoed this sentiment, issuing a January 7 statement urging Vail Resorts to resolve the dispute while recognizing the challenges facing resort communities:
“The City Council and I urgently call on Vail Resorts to take immediate action to conclude negotiations and end the uncertainty. We humbly ask everyone for civility and respectful behavior toward each other during this challenging time.”
Vail Resorts emphasized that safety and operations remained a priority throughout the strike. Bill Rock, president of Vail Resorts’ mountain division, highlighted the efforts of staff who kept the resort running:
“Since the strike began, we have been able to open more than 50 additional trails and have nearly 2,300 acres of skiable terrain available for our guests thanks to our incredibly hard-working and dedicated team.”
With the strike tentatively resolved, Park City Mountain will likely focus on restoring normal operations, including terrain openings and easing congestion. Patrollers brought in from other Vail Resorts properties to temporarily fill gaps are expected to return to their home mountains.
The contract vote will be a critical next step, shaping the future of the ski patrol team and its relationship with Vail Resorts. If ratified, the agreement marks the end of months of tense negotiations and paves the way for a more stable working environment for Park City patrollers.
For now, the resort and its staff look ahead to the remainder of the ski season, aiming to rebuild trust with guests and deliver the world-class experience Park City is known for.
