Lift, picket and powder lines pose challenges on Park City Mountain

Six inches of snow in 24 hours drew crowds to Park City Mountain’s Canyons Village this morning. Due to avalanche mitigation efforts, the resort announced delayed lift openings. Photo: with kind permission

Instead of coming to work on a powder day, ski patrollers and mountain safety personnel gathered outside the main entrances to Park City Mountain, forming a picket line and solidifying their strike.

PARK CITY, Utah – Six inches of snow in 24 hours drew crowds to Park City Mountain’s Canyons Village this morning. Skiers encountered both lift lines and a picket line as ski patrol and mountain safety workers officially went on strike. The resort announced delayed lift openings due to ongoing avalanche protection measures.

We expect lift delays this morning to complete avalanche control. Check the My Epic app for the most up-to-date information @PCski

— ParkCityMtnAlert (@PCMtnAlert) December 27, 2024

During storm cycles with increased avalanche danger, lift openings are often delayed. Park City Mountain could get up to two feet more snow by Monday if the storm continues. The forecast for today is for 8-14 inches, followed by 4-8 inches on Saturday and another 3-5 inches on Sunday. The Utah Avalanche Center has issued an avalanche warning through Monday and is warning of HIGH avalanche danger today. Strong winds are expected to overload a weak snowpack on northwest-east slopes, causing avalanches 2 to 4 feet deep and over 100 feet wide. Both man-made and spontaneous avalanches are likely.

Park City Mountain Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Deirdra Walsh said in a statement TownLift “We want to reassure skiers and snowboarders, our employees and this community that despite the union’s actions, Park City Mountain will remain open, with safety as our top priority, and that all planned terrain will remain open,” in light of the ongoing strike According to the ski patrol union, the resort plans to deploy its patrol support team, which includes experienced patrol officers from Park City Mountain and other Vail Resorts properties.

From the picket line, Quinn Graves, executive director of the Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association, said, “We went out at 7:30 today. “The company forced this strike by repeatedly negotiating in bad faith and violating the National Labor Relations Act.”

When asked about the impact on mountain operations, Graves said, “All we know is that the experienced patrol officers who are familiar with this terrain are on the picket line right now.” We hope this does not impact guest safety, and urge everyone on the mountain to stay safe.”

As the resort deploys additional ski patrols during the biggest storm cycle of the year, skier safety is everyone’s top priority.

Park City Mountain ski patrol goes on strike over contract dispute

Park City Mountain remains open when Ski Patrol strikes

Similar reading on TownLift