Ski Patrol Union rebrands as United Mountain Workers, representing 1,100 across 13 resorts

Photo: PCPSPA // Willie Maahs

The union, which has more than doubled in size over the past six years, now represents nearly 1,100 ski and bike patrollers, lift mechanics, and electricians at 13 ski resorts in Colorado, Montana, Utah, and Washington.

PARK CITY, Utah—CWA Local 7781 has rebranded from the United Professional Ski Patrols of America (UPSPA) to United Mountain Workers (UMW). The move aims to better represent its expanding membership and foster solidarity across the ski industry. The announcement comes as the union continues its mission to advocate for fair working conditions and sustainable livelihoods for ski resort workers.

“The name ‘United Mountain Workers’ reflects the broader scope of our membership and the solidarity that exists among all ski industry workers,” said Max Magill, President of CWA Local 7781 and a ski patroller at Park City Mountain. “We are proud to be a democratic body of workers who represent ourselves at the bargaining table. We are fighting for a ski industry that ensures a sustainable livelihood for its dedicated workforce.”

The union, which has more than doubled in size over the past six years, now represents nearly 1,100 ski and bike patrollers, lift mechanics, and electricians at 13 ski resorts in Colorado, Montana, Utah, and Washington. The rebrand signals an intent to expand further, inviting other departments within ski resorts to join its efforts.

UMW’s commitment to improving conditions for mountain workers aligns with ongoing efforts in Park City, where the local chapter, the Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association (PCPSPA), has expressed frustration over stalled contract negotiations with Vail Resorts. Talks began in May and have dragged on with little progress after 21 sessions.

According to PCPSPA, Vail Resorts’ latest counteroffer, presented on Dec. 4, included no significant improvements to benefits and proposed a less than 0.5% wage increase across the unit. The union argues that this offer would leave most ski patrollers with stagnant wages and provide only minimal raises for others.

The union’s proposal seeks to decompress pay scales for tenured patrollers, increase the starting hourly wage from $21 to $23, enhance benefits, and maintain wage parity with non-unionized employees at Vail Resorts. The union contends that these changes are necessary to reflect the value of patrollers’ work and address the high cost of living in the Park City area.

“We are bargaining for a contract that allows our members to return year after year and improve the services this patrol provides to our guests,” said Seth Dromgoole, a 17-year veteran patroller at Park City Mountain and the union’s lead negotiator. “Our wage and benefit proposal is rooted in economic data and market comparisons of other ski patrols. Vail’s refusal to come to the table and make meaningful progress towards an agreement is taking a toll on our membership.”

Since preseason training began in October, ski patrollers and mountain safety employees at Park City Mountain have been working without a contract. The union, whose negotiators are elected patrollers volunteering their time, is pushing for an agreement that reflects the essential contributions of its members.

“We want to secure a contract that reflects the value that patrollers and mountain safety bring to this mountain,” said Kate Lips, PCPSPA president and a seventh-year patroller at Park City Mountain. “Every unreasonable counteroffer makes it increasingly difficult to continue working without a contract and draws out a process we wanted to have completed before we started this season.”

In a show of solidarity and to amplify their call for support, PCPSPA organized a public picket on Dec. 7 at two Park City locations: the intersection of Canyons Village Road and SR 224 and the intersection of Park Avenue and Deer Valley Drive. The demonstration aimed to rally community support and draw attention to the union’s demands.

UMW and PCPSPA remain committed to their advocacy for ski industry workers, emphasizing that fair wages and working conditions are essential for the sustainable operation of mountain resorts. For more information, visit the United Mountain Workers website.