PCMR opens on Canyons Village side

Only terrain off of the Saddleback and High Meadow lifts were available on Sunday. Photo: TownLift

PARK CITY, Utah — Park City Mountain Resort (PCMR) opened for the season on Sunday morning on the Canyons Village side.

Skiers and snowboarders lined up early before the lifts started running at 8:45 am.

PCMR was initially scheduled to open on November 19 but had to delay those plans due to warm weather. The climate is still affecting PCMR, as only terrain off of the Saddleback and High Meadow lifts were available on Sunday. Park City Mountain Village will open on Wednesday, December 1. “Even with man-made snow, it’s good to get out and make some turns,” said Chris, a snowboarder who lives in Salt Lake Valley. “It is kind of worrisome,” he said regarding the lack of snow. He said expects things to be normal come January. Despite being close to both of the Cottonwood Canyons, he prefers Park City because it’s more accessible.

“Excited it’s open, with all things considered,” said Parkite Greg Warner. “Better than sitting on the couch,” his wife Melissa said. They moved to Park City in 2015 for the powder.

“Snow is snow,” said Fritz, a local who boards.

Down in the Canyons Base Area parking lot, members of the Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association (PCPSPA) held what union President Brian Spieker called an “informational demonstration.” Patrollers with the union are currently without an active contract with Vail Resorts, which owns PCMR, heading into the season. Read more about their negotiations with the company.

“We wanted to reach out to the community to let them know we are negotiating for higher wages. We feel the company’s offered $15 company minimum wage does not reflect the skills and certification required of a ski patroller,” Spieker said. He said neighboring resorts are starting the same positions at $17 an hour. “Living wages are critical to retaining experienced personnel. We feel our guests deserve something more than a ‘minimum wage’ rescue.”