Telluride Ski Area is expected to close Saturday after failed contract negotiations with the ski patrol ended in a call to strike. All but one of the 78 union members voted Tuesday night to strike after days of last-ditch negotiations. The union authorized the strike in November.
The Colorado Sun calls owner Chuck Horning's decision to close the mountain during one of the busiest weeks of the year for the ski business "unprecedented." Horning is a maverick leader, known for feuding with the ski town below and firing many of his CEOs during his 20 year reign, including most recently his own son.
The patrollers are seeking a three-year contract with pay raises around $8 an hour. The ski area's "last best final" offer in early December was for about $4 an hour. The union's wage plan would cost Telluride Ski and Golf about $115,000 over the three-year contract period.
Daily lift ticket prices at top Colorado resorts including Telluride soared above $300 during the holiday week.
The bullwheels won't be turning at Telluride ski resort on Saturday as patrol union strikes for better pay and benefits
