Apology and Discounts: Vail Resorts Responds to Park City operational failures during strike

PARK CITY, Utah — Vail Resorts has announced compensation for Park City Mountain guests who skied or snowboarded during the ski patrol strike that lasted from Dec. 27, 2024, to Jan. 8, 2025. This announcement follows public feedback from visitors who expressed dissatisfaction with their on-mountain experience during the ski patrol strike.

According to Deirdra Walsh, Chief Operating Officer of Park City Mountain, “We deeply value the trust and loyalty of our guests, and while Park City Mountain was open during the patrol strike, it was not the experience we wanted to provide. We have heard our guests’ feedback and are providing credits to those who skied and snowboarded at Park City Mountain during that time. We are committed to rebuilding the trust and loyalty of our guests by delivering an exceptional experience at Park City Mountain this season and in the future.”

A 50% per-day credit will be applied to future pass purchases and is available to both season pass holders and daily lift ticket holders.

Season Pass Holders

• Pass holders who skied or snowboarded between Dec. 27, 2024, and Jan. 8, 2025, will receive a 50% credit per day skied toward the purchase of a 2025/26 season pass of equal or greater value.
• The credit is calculated based on eight days for full-season passes, while Epic Day Pass credits are calculated based on the number of days purchased.
• A minimum credit of 25% of the total purchase price of the 2024/25 pass is guaranteed, regardless of the number of days skied.
• Pass holders will retain access to their current 2024/25 pass for the remainder of the season.

Lift Ticket Holders

• Lift ticket guests will receive a 50% credit per day of the price paid for lift tickets used during the strike period.
• The credit can be applied toward the purchase of a 2025/26 season pass or Epic Day Pass.

Guests can expect a personalized email in March detailing their specific credit amount and a promotion code to use toward their 2025/26 pass purchase. In the meantime, Vail Resorts has provided a Frequently Asked Questions page to address concerns and provide clarity.

The strike, which concluded on Jan. 8, 2025, stemmed from a protracted labor dispute between Park City’s ski patrol and Vail Resorts. After extended negotiations, the patrol secured a new deal, but the operational challenges during the strike caused outrage among guests of Park City Mountain during the busy holiday period. Reduced terrain access, delayed lift operations, and safety concerns were among the issues raised.

Despite the strike and the challenges of the ski patrol strike along with, what Vail said were weather-related issues from a windy snowstorm, Vail Resorts recently reported revenue growth, citing strong season pass sales and cost management efforts.

In her statement, Walsh emphasized the company’s dedication to improving the guest experience, stating, “Our hope is that these customized credits demonstrate our commitment to you as a valued Pass Holder. I am confident that our team’s collective passion for Park City Mountain, our guests, and our community is strong, and that we will provide the experience you expect, this season and into the future.”

Vail’s Letter to Pass Holders:

I want to sincerely apologize for the experience you had during the patrol strike at Park City Mountain which ended January 8. We deeply value your trust and loyalty, and while the mountain was open during this time, it was not the experience we wanted to provide you. We have heard your feedback and understand your frustrations.

To address the on-mountain experience, we are providing all Pass Holders a 50% credit per day skied or snowboarded at Park City Mountain between December 27, 2024, and January 8, 2025, to apply toward the purchase of a 2025/26 pass of equal or greater value to their 2024/25 pass. Season pass per-day credits are calculated based on eight days, and Epic Day Pass per-day credits are calculated based on the number of days purchased.

The minimum credit amount these Pass Holders will receive is 25% of the total purchase price of their 2024/25 pass. All credits will be customized for Pass Holders based on the price of their 2024/25 pass, product type, and number of days skied between December 27, 2024, and January 8, 2025.

Pass Holders’ current 2024/25 season pass, or unused days on their 2024/25 Epic Day Pass, will remain active for use over the remainder of this season.

In March, you will receive a personalized email with your specific credit and promotion code. In the meantime, please review our Frequently Asked Questions.

Our hope is that these customized credits demonstrate our commitment to you as a valued Pass Holder. I am confident that our team’s collective passion for Park City Mountain, our guests, and our community is strong, and that we will provide the experience you expect, this season and into the future.

Sincerely,

Deirdra Walsh

Chief Operating Officer

Park City Mountain

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