Over 25,000 people sign petition accusing Vail Resorts of consumer harm

Crowds at Stevens Pass in Washington. Photo: Jeremy Rubingh

SKYKOMISH, Wash. — A petition on change.org that accuses Vail Resorts of violating the Washington Consumer Protection Act with its mismanagement of the Stevens Pass ski area has collected over 25,000 signatures.

“As Stevens Pass skiers, snowboarders and customers who purchased Vail Resorts “Epic Pass,” we are disgusted with the mismanagement of the ski area, the failure to treat employees well, or pay them a livable wage, and the failure to deliver the  product we all paid for and bought with hard-earned money during a pandemic,” the petition’s creator Jeremy Rubingh writes.

“Lift lines are out of control to the point where the majority of a day of “skiing” is spent standing in line at one of the few lifts open. This is, of course, if you are even able to park and not told you cannot access the ski area due to limited parking.

“In addition, the failure to open ample lifts or even half of the available terrain is due solely to mismanaging an understaffed ski area.” As of Thursday, 61% of the terrain at Stevens Pass is open, with 50% of lifts operating.

Vail has sold roughly 47% more Epic Passes compared to last year. Pass prices were reduced by 20% for 2021/2022 season.

“We believe that Vail Resorts’ failure to comply with our request is a violation of the Washington Consumer Protection Act. Without action from Vail Resorts, the undersigned will bring a claim of violation to the Consumer Protection Division and the Attorney General of Washington State.

“The undersigned also suggest a review of the operator’s agreement pursuant to the special permit issued by the United States Forest Service (USFS) for operating on the two parcels on USFS property.

“We feel there could be a better operator serving the interests of public recreation on our public lands, especially if Vail Resorts is found to be in violation of the Consumer Protection Act and is failing to provide the services on public lands they have agreed to.”

The petition also calls for refunds if the management of Stevens Pass does not improve by Jan. 15.

“Vail Resorts has contributed more to the destruction of our ski communities and our sport than they have created value,” Rubingh concludes.