(PARK CITY, UTAH) - Ski Patrollers represented by the Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association (PCPSPA)-Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 7781 have ratified a new contract with Vail Resorts which has brought an end to their Strike.

The contract raises wages by an average of $4-an-hour and guarantees Workers’ wage parity if wages are raised at other Non-Unionized Vail Resorts.

The contract covers more than 200 Ski Patrollers and Mountain Safety Personnel at the country’s largest Ski Resort.

After almost 10 months of bargaining, the Park City Patrollers went on Strike over Unfair Labor Practices (ULPs) on December 27th (2024).

During the 12-day Strike, resort guests voiced their support for the Workers, chanting: “Pay your Workers,” as ski lift lines had hours-long wait times and Vail Resorts could keep only 17% of the resort’s terrain open.

Seth Dromgoole, who served as Lead Negotiator and is a 17-year Patroller, said: “The road to this agreement was anything but easy.  Negotiating with Vail Resorts has been an incredibly challenging process, marked by months of persistence and dedication from our Board, Negotiators and Union Members.  This contract is more than just a win for our team - it’s a ground-breaking success in the Ski and Mountain Worker Industry.  This effort demonstrates what can be achieved when Workers stand together and fight for what they deserve.”

Park City Ski Patrollers were supported by Union Ski Patrollers across Colorado, with CWA Units from Breckenridge, Crested Butte, and Keystone joining a letter with Park City Patrollers to hold Vail Resorts accountable for attempts to recruit scab Workers from other Colorado Ski Resorts.

Union patrollers with the Keystone Ski Patrol Union (KSPU)-CWA Local 7781 are also in negotiations with Vail Resorts and took their first collective action in support of bargaining last month with a walk-in to demonstrate their solidarity and the patrol’s ability to mobilize for a fair contract.

CWA has led the fight for a fair and sustainable Ski Industry, with a Union Movement that has grown from four Union Ski Resorts five years ago to 16 Bargaining Units today.

CWA Local 7781 represents nearly 1,100 Mountain Workers, including Ski Patrollers, Lift Mechanics and Mountain Safety Personnel.

CWA Photo.