On Saturday, February 22, the Keystone Ski Patrol Union (KSPU) voted to ratify their first contract negotiated with Vail Resorts, bringing major changes to the ski patrol through the 2026-2027 season.
Negotiations began on the contract back in Fall 2025, with KSPU negotiations team reaching a tentative agreement with the company last week. The vote to approve the contract closed with a majority support from union membership Saturday night.
The new contract includes increased compensation for EMT, Nursing, and Paramedic certifications, additional wage incentives for specialized skills like language interpreters, sawyers, and chairlift evacuators, additional training for higher medical certifications, advanced avalanche education, and other specialized courses, and wage compression adjustment.
“The Union is proud to announce that every member of the Keystone Ski Patrol will receive a pay increase from the implementation of this contract, with significant increases for those in advanced, specialist and team-lead positions. The Union believes this contract is a huge step towards ski patrolling as a sustainable career, and better reflects the value of work the ski patrol delivers.” – KSPU
The Keystone Ski Patrol Union represents 81 total employees.
