Telluride Resumes Snowmaking While Patrol Strike Continues
Popular Stories
The San Juan Mountains are usually echoing with the sound of chatter and the hum of Lift 4 this time of year. Instead, a heavy silence has fallen over Telluride Ski Resort as it enters its first week of an indefinite closure. The resort officially shuttered operations on December 27, 2025, after the Telluride Professional Ski Patrol Association (TPSPA) initiated a strike during the peak holiday window.
While the lifts are stationary, the snowmaking team is back in action. Thanks to a recent dip in temperatures following a warm start to the season, the resort has resumed snowmaking operations. Management stated they are utilizing the window to prepare as much terrain as possible while they refine a safety plan for a potential reopening.
The Reopening Strategy
The resorts owner and management are working on a plan to reopen Lifts 1 and 4 as quickly as possible. To do this safely, the resort has formed a recruitment team to hire temporary, qualified medical providers to fill the gap left by the 78 striking patrollers.
However, the union and some community members have expressed skepticism. Union representatives argue that "PhD-level" knowledge of complex alpine terrain and avalanche mitigation cannot be easily replaced by temporary staff. Rumors have surfaced regarding the Forest Service’s scrutiny of these temporary plans, though the resort maintains they are moving toward a safe solution.
Negotiations at an Impasse
The heart of the conflict remains a significant gap in wage expectations. The TPSPA is seeking to fix a "broken wage structure" that makes living in San Miguel County nearly impossible.
Sign Up for the TGR Gravity Check Newsletter Now
- The Resort’s Offer: An immediate 13% wage increase for the 2025/26 season.
- The Union’s Demand: A median wage increase of approximately $8 per hour over a three-year contract, which they argue is necessary for retention and a sustainable career path.
- The Gap: Reports indicate the two parties are separated by roughly $115,000 to $200,000 over the life of the contract.
Community and Economic Impact
The closure is sending shockwaves through the local economy. Short-term rental bookings in the town have reportedly dropped by 54% year-over-year since the strike began. Local businesses that rely on tourism are bracing for continued losses of a strike that remains in full effect. As snowmaking continues, the industry watches closely to see if a resolution can be reached before winter slips away.
