Park City Ski Patrol Union sheds light on negotiation terms

As the strike continues TownLift gets more details about what the union is fighting for in addition to a $2 per hour wage increase

PARK CITY, UT — As the strike by the Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association (PCPSPA) against Vail Resorts continues, Margaux Klingensmith, Business Manager for the union, has provided further insight into the issues at the heart of the negotiations.

Klingensmith shared details  she could about the terms being negotiated with Vail Resorts but said further details such as starting pay, increases and benefits could not be shared due to the negotiation agreement between the two parties.

While much public focus has been on the union’s push for a wage increase from $21 to $23 an hour, Klingensmith emphasized that the demands go beyond a dollar amount. “We’re fighting to keep a steady increase in wages to match inflation and avoid situations like a few years ago when wages had fallen so far behind that the company had to make a massive adjustment just to catch up,” she explained.

Klingensmith also pointed to another critical issue: wage compression, where experienced patrollers with 10 to 20 years of service make similar and in some cases less pay than those with only a few years on the job. “Year four or five is when patrollers start becoming truly competent in their roles, but their wages plateau at that point,” she said. “This discourages long-term retention, especially for seasoned patrollers who mentor newer staff and oversee complex, high-risk terrain.”

The cost of experience and safety

Experienced patrollers are vital to maintaining mountain safety, particularly in challenging areas like Jupiter Bowl and 9990, where avalanche mitigation and route planning require years of expertise. “Losing a 15-year patroller means losing someone who knows 25 to 30 routes inside and out,” Klingensmith said. “It can take another 15 years to build that level of experience again.”

 

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Julia Edwards, a Park City ski patroller who has been working at the resort for 14 years in various capacities including as a supervisor and a negotiator in prior years, said wage compression has been an issue in prior years of contract negotiations and she elaborated on how important it is to maintain experiences route leaders in the snow safety department and the critical role they play in getting terrain open on the mountain.

Edwards said she feels appreciated by her co-workers and management, but she finds it frustrating that efforts to address wage compression have made little progress and that Vail Resorts seems reluctant to fully acknowledge the value senior staff bring to the patrol.

“It’s kind of insulting,” Edwards said. “It feels very much that our experience is valued in name only. We get the pat on the back for making it 10 years, 15 years, 20 years. You know, maybe we get a Vail gift card. But then when our team is sitting in the negotiating room saying we want there to be a financial incentive for people to stay, a financial recognition of what these experienced folks bring to the table. It’s always been a ‘no.’ We have a sense that we are not cared for by the company, frankly, and that once we reach a certain number of years, they don’t really care if we stay or go.”

Edwards went on to explain the critical role the ski patrol’s snow safety department plays in opening terrain. During the strike over the past week, Park City Mountain has reported that 17% of the mountain’s terrain is open. Data gathered from previous years shows during the same holiday week in 2023, which had a much lower reported base depth of 32″ vs. 42″ this year, Park City Mountain was operating with just over 38% of its terrain open.

“This is my 14th season. I have never seen us have this much snow and so little terrain open, and I have never seen us go through a storm cycle like this without being able to open and expand new terrain,” Edwards said.

The union is also advocating for improved benefits, including more accessible healthcare options, holiday pay, and a more attractive overall benefits package to retain and attract skilled patrollers. One proposed solution is offering healthcare stipends to allow patrollers to maintain year-round coverage without switching providers every six months.

“Meeting two deductibles, is simply unsustainable for most people,” Klingensmith said.

Breaking a cycle of prolonged negotiations

The union’s frustration extends beyond wages and benefits to the drawn-out nature of contract negotiations. The last cycle spanned 18 months and over 50 meetings, which Klingensmith described as “unacceptable.” The current negotiations have dragged on for 10 months, leading the union to call for a longer-term contract that ensures stability and avoids repetitive bargaining.

“We made it clear from the start that we weren’t willing to go through another prolonged cycle,” Klingensmith said. “We need a contract that allows us to focus on our jobs and provides stability for the years ahead.”

Solidarity across resorts and locally

Support from other ski patrol unions across Vail Resorts’ portfolio, including those at Breckenridge and Keystone, has boosted morale among striking patrollers. “Knowing the patrol community has our backs is incredibly encouraging,” Klingensmith said. “I hope the company recognizes the broader impact of its actions and moves toward a fair resolution.”

Within the Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association, members are rallying to support one another during the ongoing strike. “We’re doing a lot of check-ins to ensure everyone has what they need,” The goal she said is to ensure no one feels forced to cross the picket line simply because they can’t pay rent or buy groceries.

Negotiations are set to continue, with the union emphasizing that a fair contract is the quickest way to end the strike and return to the slopes. “We love our jobs, and we’re fighting hard to make this a sustainable career,” Klingensmith said. “A fair contract isn’t just about us—it’s about keeping Park City Mountain safe and successful for everyone.”

Editor’s note: Comment from Vail Resorts and officials at Park City Mountain Resort was sought but not received by TownLift’s publishing deadline.