The Telluride Ski Patrol strike is creeping up to one week, with the ski resort remaining closed since Saturday, December 27th. Earlier this week, Telluride Ski Resort released a statement explaining that they’re actively seeking qualified and experienced personnel to temporarily fill the gaps to push for a reopening, but the Town of Telluride is feeling the impact in the meantime.
According to 9 News, the Telluride Tourism Board notes that short-term rental bookings have dropped 54% year-over-year in just the last week. Some companies, like the locally owned TelluRides, have seen major drops in sales throughout the closure. Tellurides notes a 22% drop in sales between December 27th and December 1st.
Black Tie Ski Rental, a larger company that operates throughout North America, is offering risk free rentals to deal with the closure, guaranteeing that customers will not be charged if the resort is still closed on their rental days. Additionally, the company promises that they’ll continue to pay their full team of 40+ employees throughout the closure, and will be available to help guests navigate changes or questions during the strike. Of course this isn’t always a viable option for smaller local companies.
“As you have likely heard, Telluride Ski Patrol is currently on strike and lift operations are closed while negotiations continue. The mountain is the life blood of this community and Ski Patrol is essential for the safety of this unique mountain and guests. Our hope is that both sides can reach a fair resolution as soon as possible for the health of the town and the business here that rely so directly on both.” – Black Tie Ski Rental
Earlier this week, a joint statement from the Towns of Mountain Village and Telluride and San Miguel County addressed the ongoing strike and closure. Calls for regional governments to use taxpayer funds to help bridge the financial gap between the negotiating parties have grown and, while the approach has been considered, the statement clarifies that such an act would be prohibited under applicable labor laws.
The Telluride Professional Ski Patrol has addressed the idea of outside funders helping to close the gap, noting that, while it’s great that the support exists, it does not fix the language, structure, or security of a signed contract. Not only do they believe it ethically murky, but it likely isn’t a legally viable option.
“Of course it would benefit everyone if this problem of a functional wage scale and livable wages could be solved so simply. This is not an ethically or legally viable option for TPSPA to take. You can help support us and others in the community by donating to our GoFundMe.” – Telluride Ski Patrol
