Telluride, Colorado — In the latest headache for Telluride’s ownership, a amjor gap in contract negotiations with ski patrol could lead to problems down the road.
The Telluride Daily Planet reports that the Telluride Professional Ski Patrol Association (TPSPA) contract with Telluride Ski Resort (also known as TelSki) expired on August 31st. Negotiations are currently taking place on a new deal. However, there’s a noticeable gap between the two sides on economic issues, such as wages.
“The last ten years has seen the 7781 grow tremendously, now made up of 16 units comprising 14 ski patrols and two lift maintenance departments,” said Graham Hoffman, who’s President of the Telluride Ski Patrol Association. “We’re immensely proud that we’re the only unit in the local (area) with 100% union dues paying members.”
“We’re trying to keep up with the exponential growth of what it takes to live in this area,” said ski patroller and TPSPA Secretary Jackie Kearney. “We’re combating that by asking for a significant wage increase, increased special skill compensation and benefits, including a health care stipend and gear allowance…Telski has yet to acknowledge a significant part of our economic proposal or provide a meaningful counter proposal.”
The relationship between ski patrols and the companies they work for has gotten more attention lately, following the strike of the Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association in December 2024 and early January 2025. Since the strike, more ski patrol personnel have unionized, seeking better wages and benefits.
The Colorado ski resort did state to the Telluride Daily Planet that their ski patrol is “an important part of our business and we greatly appreciate all their hard work and contributions to keep our skiers safe. We will continue to meet and negotiate in good faith and are optimistic that we will reach an agreement soon.”
The State Of Telluride Ski Resort
This news comes as the owner of Telluride, Chuck Horning, has been under fire recently. Earlier this year, Paul Wisor, the Mountain Village Town Manager, went viral with a blistering criticism of Telski’s lack of cooperation. Mountain Village even went as far as to condemn land owned by Horning, although the San Miguel County District Court dismissed these efforts.
In addition, a website was recently created that details the various issues that have emerged during owner Chuck Horning’s tenure. Locals want new ownership, and a continuation of this ski patrol situation would likely create more hostility between the two sides.

Image/Video Credits: Telluride Ski Patrol, Telluride Property, Telluride Ski Resort