After 13 Months, Eldora Ski Patrol Union and POWDR Reach Tentative Agreement
After more than a year of uncertainty, Eldora Mountain’s ski patrol union and POWDR, the resort's owner, have reached an agreement. Announced on October 9, 2025, the deal is a win for the growing ski patrol labor movement across North America.
Eldora’s patrol officially unionized at the start of the 2024/25 season, joining CWA Local 7781, which represents patrol units at several Western resorts. Over 13 months of talks, Eldora patrollers pushed to address rising living costs in Boulder County, high turnover, and the need for better tools and resources to keep guests safe.
According to the patrol union, the new three-year deal tackles those issues. Specific terms haven’t been released, but members will vote in the coming weeks to ratify or reject the agreement.
“[We] would like to thank every member of the Boulder County and Front Range ski communities for your continued support."
-Eldora Ski Patrol Union
A Wave of Unionization
Eldora joins a growing list of patrol squads that have unionized or renegotiated contracts in recent seasons, including Big Sky, Park City, and Palisades Tahoe. The movement is fueled by skyrocketing housing costs, corporate consolidation, and increased workloads as skier numbers climb. With turnover at record highs, Eldora’s new deal could help stabilize its patrol ranks.
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Other Changes at Eldora
Labor talks aren’t the only major development at Eldora this year. The mountain could soon see new, local ownership. After POWDR listed Eldora, Killington, and Mt. Bachelor for sale, the town of Nederland signed a letter of intent to purchase the ski area.
If the sale moves forward, POWDR says it would remain involved for a two-year transition period, supporting operations as ownership changes hands.
As of publication, Eldora’s future remains uncertain. For now, the mountain stays under POWDR ownership and is scheduled to open November 14 for the 2025/26 ski season. Stay tuned for updates.
