Skiing and snowboarding are such an important part of our community. At Park City Mountain, we are deeply committed to showing up every day, working hard to bring our mountain to life for our guests and the community. And when we fall short, no matter the cause, we do not take it lightly.    

I know the experience at the mountain over the peak holiday period was frustrating for our skiers and riders. On behalf of the resort, I want to apologize to everyone that we haven’t been able to open the terrain we had hoped for by now and that the line wait times were longer than usual during the peak holiday because of the ski patrol union strike. This was not the holiday skiing and riding experience anyone wanted, and we know that.

But what we are doing is opening the terrain we can safely open with the people we have each day during the strike. We strive for transparency on operations. And the truth is that during this unprecedented time, each day is dynamic, and we are doing the best we can to keep guests informed.

What I also know is that the commitment from our working patrol team right now is nothing short of remarkable. It is heartbreaking to see not just them, but all our employees, putting up with relentless harassment online and in person that is absolutely shameful. They don’t deserve it, and it needs to stop.

Nobody wins in a strike.  

Over the months of negotiations with the patrol, we did make progress. We had agreed to 24 of the 27 contract items the union opened.

Conversations were not always easy, but they were respectful. When we both agreed we were not making progress on the remaining articles, we both agreed to mediation. And we were committed to the process that goes with it.

We had three mediation sessions scheduled for Dec. 26 and 27, and Jan. 2, based on the assigned mediator’s availability. The union made the choice to walk out after just the first session because they knew that is when it would impact the experience most. We never walked away.

By choosing to strike during the peak holiday, the union hurt their fellow employees, skiers and snowboarders, and their neighbors.  

People have asked, “Can’t you just pay patrol $2/hour more?” It’s never been about $2. There’s a lot of misinformation surrounding these negotiations.

First, please know: We care deeply about the work of our ski patrol; we have invested a lot in them and will continue to. Second, they are asking for much more than $2/ hour. In fact, on the day they went on strike, their demands equaled $7/hour more. Finally, you should know that we have come to the table with compelling offers. 

Still, we remain committed to reaching an agreement that demonstrates our respect for them. Both negotiation teams met with the mediators four days last week, and additional mediation is scheduled for this week. That is progress towards an agreement. And when this ends, we will move forward together because that is who we are as a team.

In the meantime, I have one ask: Please be kind to the people who are working so hard to keep the mountain open. The harassment that our employees have been subjected to over the past two weeks is not in the spirit of our community’s values.

Deirdra Walsh is the chief operating officer of Park City Mountain.  

The post We can treat each other with respect appeared first on Park Record.

What a winter! Park City Mountain’s 60th anniversary season didn’t break a half-century snowfall record like last year — but we did exceed our annual average by a lot, racking up 430 inches before closing day, making this another incredible season. 

From first to last chair, before dawn and long after sunset, employees are at the center of what we offer guests who visit our resort. Our team of incredible professionals brings the mountain to life each day — no easy feat — and I am profoundly grateful to lead the largest resort in the U.S. because of the people I get to work alongside. Their commitment and dedication to Park City Mountain made a special year like our 60th one of the most fun and welcoming ever.  

Starting last fall, diving in to Park City Mountain’s history and sharing six decades of skiing and riding history in our community was truly so fun and fascinating. Our employees, each with their unique experiences, shared many great memories and moments throughout the season.

From team members with one season at the resort to those with decades of history here, employee stories remind me how lucky we all are to be a part of this special place and continually ground me in why I love what I do. 

From our festive opening day to our rockin’ closing day party — and all 156 days in between — I am so grateful to the awesome team of employees who choose Park City Mountain. It is their collective experience, expertise, patience, diligence, creativity and teamwork that makes them simply the best, and it’s my goal to invest continuously in their experience and their development whether they are with us for a season or a whole career. 

Together, our team kept the celebratory spirit of our 60th anniversary high all season long, weaving in longtime traditions like the holiday tree lighting and fireworks, Santa coming down Town Lift (my personal favorite) and the torchlight parade with a mid-season anniversary bash in early February. We also welcomed Queerski back to our slopes and hosted our first-ever Women’s Weekend in March.

Also in March, we reprised the Park City High School Senior Ski Night, continuing a tradition we hope will last for the next 60 years. I love that Park City School District students grow up on our slopes, that they gather in our base areas for homecoming, and take their “last ride” with us in June before they graduate. 

Spring skiing and riding, après, one heck of a pond skim, and a community closing day capped off with dancing to Pixie and the Partygrass Boys rounded out a fun and memorable season.

While it’s always bittersweet to wrap up another great season, I do so with deep pride in our team, who create lasting experiences for our guests and each other every day. To every employee of Park City Mountain, thanks for another great season and job well done!  

Deirdra Walsh is the vice president and chief operating officer of Park City Mountain

The post Guest Editorial: Workers made 60th year epic appeared first on Park Record.