JACKSON, Wyo. — Ski patrollers at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) are following the bootpack of patrol teams around the country by seeking to form a union.
In a Thursday afternoon press release posted to Instagram, Jackson Hole Ski Patrol (JHSP) announced that 93% of eligible members of its team filed for a union representation election with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The statement describes ski patrol as a skilled labor position with significant inherent risk.
Billy Robinson, a member of the union organizing committee and a patrol specialist in his fourth year at JHMR, told Buckrail that the team was inspired by successful union efforts by other ski patrols over the past few years.
“This summer we came together to put ourselves in the position to negotiate living wages, fair benefits and the opportunity to make being a Jackson Hole ski patroller a viable career,” Robinson said.
One of the main grievances highlighted by JHSP relates to cost of living and affordability in Jackson, which Robinson said is often true in mountain towns across the Rockies. JHSP’s statement highlights the realities by saying that Teton County is one of the wealthiest in the nation, but also maintains the largest income-inequality gap. “We want to be treated like the highly-trained career professionals we are, and not just seasonal ski bums,” reads the caption to the Instagram post.
“We are career first-responders doing one of the most dangerous jobs in North America, yet many of us struggle to afford to live in the community we serve,” nine-year patroller Tyler Babcock said in the announcement. “This is about professionalism and sustainability.”
The patrol team seeks fair compensation, comprehensive benefits, career incentives and a voice in operational decisions that affect work and safety. JHMR received the National Ski Areas Association’s “Best Overall Safety Program” after the 2024/2025 season. JHSP states that it is committed to maintaining JHMR’s position as a leader in mountain safety.
If approved, the patrol team would organize as the JHSP Union under Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 7781, United Mountain Workers (UMW). UMW states on its website that the organization represents over 1,000 professionals at 13 ski resorts across the Mountain West, including Stevens Pass, Big Sky, Park City, Steamboat and Telluride.
Robinson said that the next step will be to hold a vote on whether or not to unionize. That will happen after the NLRB approves the petition, making sure that all forms were filled out properly, and also confirming with JHMR that no protocols have been violated in this process. According to Robinson, unionizing is a grassroots, democratic process, and it is important that everybody’s voices are heard through this process.
Park City made waves last season when ski patrollers went on strike for nearly two weeks over wages and benefits. Powder magazine reported earlier this week that Telluride Ski Patrol voted unanimously to authorize a labor strike, also asking for a wage increase. Many ski patrollers believe that they should not be forced to work multiple jobs to afford basic necessities, which could leave them tired and vulnerable to missteps when dealing with high-risk situations.
“We hope to see the same level of accountability from our resort management, that we have for the safety of our guests,” said Babcock. “A union gives us a seat at the table to build a better future for the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol.”
