Telluride & Telluride Professional Ski Patrol Association Scheduled To Return To The Bargaining Table

Negotiators for Telluride Ski & Golf and the Telluride Professional Ski Patrol Association (TPSPA) are set to return to the bargaining table after the union voted down the resort’s “last, best and final offer” earlier this month, leaving patrollers without a contract since August 31, 2025. The resort has published materials outlining its proposal and pay comparisons for patrollers, while both sides prepare to re‑engage in talks aimed at avoiding a work stoppage

The resumption of talks comes at a critical juncture for the world-renowned resort. With the peak holiday season approaching, the mountain's 72-member patrol union has already authorized a strike, raising the possibility of a walkout that could shutter much of the resort’s terrain during its busiest weeks.

The latest push for a deal follows a Dec. 8 vote in which 99% of union members rejected the resort’s "last, best, and final offer." The union, which has been working without a contract since its previous agreement expired on Aug. 31, 2025, argued the proposal failed to address the skyrocketing cost of living in San Miguel County.

At a tense Telluride Town Council meeting on Tuesday, union secretary Jackie Kearney told local leaders that the membership is seeking a wage structure that reflects the expertise required for the job."

We are trying to create a wage structure that incentivizes people to stay and make this job a career," Kearney said. "In order for the ski area to operate safely, we need seasoned professionals doing this job."

The primary sticking point remains compensation. While both sides have moved toward the middle, a significant gap remains:

Resort officials have defended their offer as "industry-leading" and "sustainable," noting it includes guaranteed cost-of-living increases for the next two seasons.⁴ However, the union points out that Telluride’s cost of living is roughly 75% higher than the national average, making it nearly impossible for patrollers to live in the community they serve.

The threat of a strike has put the entire Telluride community on edge. Union President Graham Hoffman indicated that while the patrol is still working to open terrain, they are prepared to walk out before Christmas if a deal isn't reached.

If a strike occurs, resort representatives warned that operations would be severely limited—potentially restricted to just Lifts 1 and 4. Local business owners have voiced concerns that a holiday walkout would have a "devastating" ripple effect on restaurants, hotels, and retail shops that rely on the December surge.

In a move signaling their resolve, the union recently launched a GoFundMe campaign to support patrollers in the event of a work stoppage, raising funds for rent and groceries.

Saturday’s session will be the first face-to-face negotiation since the union's overwhelming rejection of the resort's previous offer. While Telski has indicated a willingness to move beyond the current impasse, union leadership maintains that any new offer must provide a "living wage" rather than incremental increases.

Both parties are expected to meet throughout the weekend in hopes of securing a ratified contract before the Christmas rush begins.