Park City Mountain Resort, home to the largest ski area in the United States, welcomed back approximately 200 ski patrollers this Thursday following a successful strike that lasted nearly two weeks. The striking members of the (AP News) union voted to accept a new labor contract, claiming it as a significant victory for not only their team but for the broader ski and mountain worker community.

The Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association achieved several key demands in their negotiations with Vail Resorts, including a substantial $2-an-hour base-pay increase and improved pay structures for senior patrollers. Union lead negotiator Seth Dromgoole emphasized, “This contract is more than just a win for our team — it’s a groundbreaking success in the ski and mountain worker industry.”

The need for better wages became drastically evident as economic pressures, including inflation since 2022, heightened. Patrollers were advocating for wages to rise from $21 to $23 per hour, with the union asserting that $27 is the bare minimum for a livable wage in the economically steep region of Park City, known for its high living costs.

While the strike disrupted operations, resulting in closed trails and lengthy lift lines, it sparked a wave of public support from skiers and visitors who rallied behind the strikers, urging the resort to "Pay your employees!" in social media posts.

Bill Rock, President of Vail Resorts’ Mountain Division, publicly recognized the union’s effort, stating, “We look forward to welcoming back the Park City Mountain patrollers in the coming days and moving forward together as one team. We apologize to our guests who were impacted by this strike.”

The strike commenced on December 27, following months of stalled negotiations that began in March. Many recognize this strike as part of a larger trend, with several labor unions recently achieving significant agreements in the wake of strikes across various industries, from factories to entertainment.

In reflection on the strike's broader implications, industry analyst Alex Kaufman noted, “They overplayed their hand and paid the price,” highlighting the tensions often involved in labor negotiations at ski resorts.

As operations return to normal, the ski patrollers are expected to begin reopening more terrain, ensuring that guests can once again enjoy the slopes they've eagerly anticipated during the busy season.

For further details, read the original articles at (AP News) and USA Today.