Telluride Ski Resort Closed Indefinitely As Ski Patrol Union Strikes

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Unofficial Networks

Telluride Ski Resort was closed yesterday for the second consecutive day in the midst of a ski patrol union strike aimed at securing better wages and will remain so indefinitely.

by Unofficial Networks
5 hours ago

Telluride Ski Resort was closed yesterday for the second consecutive day in the midst of a ski patrol union strike aimed at securing better wages and will remain so indefinitely. There are no current plans to reopen the Colorado ski resort as the ski patrollers are standing firmly behind the picket lines.

“As a result of the Ski Patrol’s decision to strike, we have made the difficult decision to close the resort on Saturday, December 27th. At this time, we do not know how long the strike will last. We will continue working on a plan that allows us to reopen safely as soon as possible.” -Telluride Ski Resort

Telluride Professional Ski Patrol Association are seeking approximately 30% to 35% hourly wage increase. The resorts most recent counteroffer was a 23% hourly wage increase.

“We hustle to bear the weight of compressed wages. The value of our winter work is not reflected through our paychecks. Hustling has always been a part of life here. Many of us work several jobs to make ends meet. A lot of us have started businesses to serve the community in order to survive on winter Patrol wages with little benefits. It’s not enough. It’s chipping us down. It’s causing the patrollers with essential integral knowledge to phase out. Our core, our building block, our foundation is fading away.



Read more: https://unofficialnetworks.com/2025/12/29/telluride-ski-resort-closed-indefinitely-as-ski-patrol-union-strikes/

[JMCKUSICK]

1. Go Ski Patrol Go

[chowder66]

2. Good for them. They deserve to get decent wages. The mega rich basically ruined the vibe there.

[ybbor]

3. Lived there for a decade mid 90s-early aughts

I know a lot of the patrollers! They are righteous folk and bust their butts for not a lot. Although, I also know a lot of the local business owners who will be taking a huge hit because of it. Hope it gets settled soon. But I’m on their side!! Stay strong my friends!!

[Hieronymus Phact]

4. A few realities about the industry

What about the Guests? people have spent thousands of dollars and months of planning air and ground transportation. Spent days of travel time. Spent on tuning the gear, spent the summer getting in shape for a week of skiing.
And then it's all ruined. Guests have no say in their paycheck, and no one entity would never reimburse all that loss.

A big part of the compensation at a resort is benefits. They get a unrestricted EPIC season pass good at dozens of mountains worth over $1000. They get big discounts on gear, and they get to ski around all day to do their job. They also get ultimate first tracks in fresh Champaign powder. Don't underestimate that value: resorts sell early access ski runs so you can ski fresh powder before the crowds plow it all up -for a premium. This is all priced into their compensation.

Most Resort work is seasonal, you need multiple gigs if you want to live that life. There are very few coveted year-round full time roles with full benefits.
I don't know what they are getting paid versus what they expect, but there was a lot of unsaid realities in that article and i just wanted to provide some broader background rather than blindly saying Yeah f-the man, union-yes.

Disclosure: I'm also an underpaid resort worker.