Park City Bike Patrol and Trail Crew Move to Unionize

he dust has barely settled from last winter's high-profile ski patrol negotiations, and another labor battle is brewing in Park City. This time, it's the summer bike patrol and trail crew who are drawing a line in the dirt, filing a joint petition to unionize.

Many of the same faces who wear the ski patrol jacket in the winter swap it for a bike jersey in the summer, and they're bringing the same fight for fair recognition and pay to the table. The crew, which is largely comprised of members from the already-unionized Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association (PCPSPA), is seeking year-round union protection under the Communications Workers of America Union.

The core of the issue? A major pay gap between winter and summer seasons, despite the crew arguing their summer responsibilities are just as technical and dangerous. Summer patrol isn't just about fixing flat tires; it involves medical certifications, complex lift evacuations, and managing gnarly terrain—skills they believe the resort needs to properly recognize and compensate.

"We would like to have recognition of those skills from the resort, as well as union protections, like we do in the winter," the PCPSPA stated in a press release.

Vail Resorts, Park City Mountain's parent company, acknowledged the petition, stating, “We believe a direct connection to our employees fosters the strongest working relationship... but we respect their right to file this petition.”

However, a resort spokesperson also told local news outlets that summer bike hauling operations are not currently profitable and that summer employees already receive extra pay for participating in lift evacuations.

After a winter that saw the ski patrol authorize a strike to secure a fair contract, it's clear the men and women who keep Park City's terrain safe year-round are unified and ready to fight for what they're worth. The question now is whether Vail is ready for another round.