BREAKING: Telluride Ski Resort in Colorado is set to close on Saturday due to a labor dispute with its ski patrol union, the Telluride Professional Ski Patrol Association. The union voted earlier this week to strike after contract negotiations failed to resolve significant pay disparities.
After months of talks since June, the union is demanding a pay increase for ski patrollers, moving starting wages from $21 to $28 per hour and raising the pay for experienced patrollers from a range of $30-$36 to $39-$48.60. The resort announced the closure in a statement as no further negotiations were scheduled before the weekend.
Chuck Horning, the resort’s owner, expressed concern over the impact of the strike, stating, “We are concerned that any organization, particularly one that exists to help people, would do something that will have such a devastating effect on our community.”
Despite the impending closure, resort officials are attempting to formulate a plan to reopen, even if the strike proceeds. The situation has escalated tensions, with Andy Dennis, interim safety director for the patrollers, accusing Horning of being a “bully” for not conceding to fair contract demands. Dennis stated, “All he has to do is give us a fair contract, and this would all be over.”
The unresolved labor dispute comes as Telluride faces challenges this season, with only 20 out of 149 ski trails operational due to unseasonably warm weather. The ski patrol plays a critical role in ensuring safety on the slopes, including assisting injured skiers and managing avalanche risks.
This standoff is reflective of a growing trend among ski patrollers in the Rocky Mountain region, many of whom have been voting to unionize in response to rising living costs in ski towns. Last year, a significant strike at Utah’s Park City Mountain Resort led to a temporary closure, highlighting the urgency of fair labor practices in the ski industry.
As the situation develops, skiers and community members are left questioning the future of the resort and the potential long-term impacts of this labor dispute. With the weekend approaching, all eyes are on Telluride as both sides remain at an impasse.
Stay tuned for updates on this breaking story as more information becomes available.
