❄️ Why Ski Patrollers Are Unionizing

Sendition 26

Author

Tyler Miller
November 25, 2025

Good morning, Stoke Crew. Still no snow :( Winter is coming...maybe?

In today's report

  • Unionization of ski patrollers
  • Lululemon exec joins Vail Resorts
  • Snowbasin receives award

TODAY'S STOKE STORY

❄️ More Ski Patroller Units Seek Unionization

The ski patrol unit at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is making a push for unionization with 93% of eligible members filing for a union representation election. The move comes fresh off helping the resort win the National Ski Area Association's top safety award. As of November 20, Jackson Hole Ski Patrol submitted their petition to the National Labor Relations Board seeking representation through the Communications Workers of America Local 7781 and United Mountain Workers, joining a growing wave of ski patrol unionization across the country.

Jackson Hole Ski patrollers who work one of the most dangerous and technically demanding jobs in North American skiing struggle to live in Teton County, which has the highest income inequality gap in the entire United States despite being one of the wealthiest counties.

Why It Matters: This unionization effort highlights the growing crisis facing ski patrol units at destination resorts where housing costs have become completely disconnected from wages. Jackson Hole patrollers manage some of the most challenging terrain, fickle snowpack, and aggressive skiing in North America, yet their compensation doesn't reflect either their specialized skills or the extreme cost of living in their community. The outcome will likely influence other elite patrol units facing similar challenges and could reshape how destination resorts approach compensation for their most essential mountain safety staff.

The winter season at Telluride Ski Resort could be in jeopardy after ski patrollers voted unanimously to authorize a strike against owner Teleski following months of stalled contract negotiations. The Telluride Professional Ski Patrol Association has been operating without a contract since August 31st, with negotiations reaching a breaking point over wage gaps between what patrollers need to survive and what the resort is willing to pay.

The union is asking for roughly a 30% increase to address the sky-high cost of living in San Miguel County, while Teleski countered with just a 2.5% bump, leaving starting patrollers at $21 per hour and even experienced veterans barely scraping $30 per hour.

I talked with Max Magill, Local President of United Mountain Workers about the importance of unionizing. He said, "Wealth inequality has never been higher in our country, and this is especially pronounced in mountain towns where workers often need multiple jobs serving the elite just to put food on their tables. Unions give workers real power and legal recourse so they can have a say in their wages and working conditions. As long as these companies continue extracting profit at the expense of mountain communities, our struggle will continue."

MOUNTAIN BRIEFING

❄️ This Week in Winter

In a move that signals major strategic changes ahead, Vail Resorts announced they're hiring Celeste Burgoyne from athletic wear brand lululemon to serve as executive vice president and chief revenue officer beginning January 2026. Burgoyne brings an impressive resume, currently serving as lululemon's president of the Americas and global guest innovation, where she oversees customer operations across North America and is accountable for over $7.5 billion in revenue. Her nearly two-decade tenure at lululemon saw the company explode from $149 million in annual sales when she joined in 2006 to over $10 billion last year, with industry analysts crediting her as one of the key architects behind the brand's massive growth.

Why It Matters: This high-profile hire suggests Vail Resorts is ready to shake things up after facing mounting criticism over service quality, crowding, and guest satisfaction issues. Bringing in an executive who helped transform lululemon into a lifestyle powerhouse indicates Vail wants to apply modern retail and brand strategies to the ski industry. Burgoyne's proven ability to drive revenue growth while maintaining strong customer connections could signal a new approach to how Vail engages with guests and monetizes the resort experience beyond traditional lift tickets. If anything good comes out of this, I just don't want to pay $30 for a terrible burger.

Snowbasin Resort just secured its second consecutive win as USA Today's best ski resort in North America, topping popular destinations like Big Sky, Montana and Mammoth Mountain, California in the reader poll. The resort's status was further confirmed by SKI Magazine readers ranking it third among the 30 best Western mountains, trailing only Banff Sunshine and Big Sky, while notably beating out more famous Salt Lake neighbors like Alta and Snowbird that didn't crack the USA Today top ten.

I've ridden Snowbasin and Snowbird. I must say I enjoyed my days at Snowbird better, maybe that's because it was during an insane storm cycle. I have still not snowboarded at Alta because I'm a snowboarder, and Alta still does not allow snowboarders on their property. I find it funny that they still don't allow us. Are we really that awful? :/

What else is going on

Trailhead Trivia

What is the farthest U.S state from any ocean?

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Answer!

South Dakota. The specific point is near the town of Allen

See you soon,
Tyler
Creator — The Stoke Report