1. Customer safety — Let me say initially that I consider all ski patrollers as the chief focus of safety and customer service. From their skier safety, medical assistance, avalanche control work and public information, they are the kingpin of mountain operations. I personally have had interactions with the patrol for 45 years, in the resort, side country and backcountry and have been met with courtesy and respect every time. They are a vital component of our community that should not be underestimated or undervalued. My sister suffered a serious injury at the Canyons in 2020 and the emphatic professionalism of the responding patrol was exemplary.
Here is a portion of her letter to the Park Record April 8-10, 2020:
I am writing to commend the ski patrol rescue team, the Canyons Village side of the Park City Mountain Resort that executed my rescue from a bad crash at the top of Grizzly five weeks ago. Just before noon on March 2, I made three turns and crossed my skis and crashed into a mogul and knew immediately that I broke my pelvis. My brother and sister-in-law who were with me alerted ski patrol, and they were there within five minutes. They were professional and calm. By the time they arrived, I was in shock, and they did everything to keep me calm and talk me through the entire rescue. The head of the rescue team was a woman named Maura, who gave firm and clear orders and got me down to the bottom safely.
2. Percentages vs. dollars — Vail Resorts vainly states that the hourly rate for patrollers has increased by 50% over the past four years. The Park Record reports that first year patrollers now earn $21 an hour. Simple math shows that in 2020 first-year patrollers were making $14 an hour. A $7 an hour raise over four years is still a pittance.
3. Supply and demand — Vail Resorts claims that there are 3,000 applicants for 300 patrol positions because this is a well-respected and fun occupation that provides self-satisfaction and lifestyle benefits for just half of the year. I guess there would be more than 10,000 applicants for any of the mid- to upper-level management positions that Vail Resorts has at corporate headquarters and at their wholly owned resorts around the country.
It seems to me that the Board of Directors is overpaying for the suits and underpaying the red safety uniforms.
Chip Reynolds
Snyderville