Telluride ski patrol strike shuts resort during holiday week
A strike by the 78‑member Telluride Professional Ski Patrol Association led to an indefinite shutdown of Telluride Ski Resort during the holiday week, leaving chairlifts and runs empty and tourists stranded at the base. Resort owner Chuck Horning said the patrol rejected what he called an industry‑leading offer to raise starting pay to about $24 an hour, while union president Graham Hoffman said the patrol had already reduced its initial demand for an $8‑per‑hour increase.
📌 Key Facts
- Ski runs and chairlifts above Telluride sat empty Saturday; tourists were stranded at the base and resort areas were blocked by 'closed' signs.
- Telluride Resort owner Chuck Horning issued an open letter accusing the ski patrol union of rejecting what he called an 'industry‑leading, livable and sustainable' offer and said the resort would raise starting patroller pay to about $24 an hour.
- The strike involves the 78‑member Telluride Professional Ski Patrol Association; union president Graham Hoffman said the patrol had already reduced its initial demand for an $8‑per‑hour increase.
- Management decided to shut resort operations in response to the ski patrol strike.
- The shutdown occurred during a holiday week and is disrupting ski vacations for visiting tourists, including out‑of‑state travelers.
📊 Relevant Data
The median home price in Telluride, Colorado, was $3,390,000 in October 2025, which is 9% lower year-over-year.
81435 Housing Market Data - Telluride, CO Home Prices & Rental Trends — Realtor.com
The average hourly wage for ski patrollers in the United States is $22.85 as of December 2025.
Ski patrol salary in United States — Indeed
The Telluride Bluegrass Festival in 2024 generated an estimated $20.9 million in total direct economic impact for the local economy.
Economic Benefits of Events Travel Trends & Lodging Metrics — Telluride Tourism Board
In the 2024 Park City ski patrol strike, workers achieved a $2 per hour base pay increase and raises for senior patrollers after walking off the job.
Striking Ski Patrollers Won Big Against a Resort Giant — Jacobin
Tourism contributed $28.5 billion to Colorado's economy in 2024, supporting 188,510 jobs across the state.
Tourists added $28.5 billion to Colorado's economy last year — The Denver Post
📰 Sources (2)
- On-the-ground description that ski runs and chairlifts above Telluride sat empty Saturday, with tourists stranded at the base and resort areas blocked by 'closed' signs.
- Resort owner Chuck Horning issued an open letter accusing the patrol union of rejecting an offer he described as 'industry-leading, livable and sustainable' and said it would raise starting patroller pay to about $24 an hour.
- Union president Graham Hoffman is quoted saying the 78‑member Telluride Professional Ski Patrol Association had already reduced its initial demand for an $8‑per‑hour increase.
- Article notes the strike and management’s decision to shut operations are disrupting holiday ski vacations for visiting tourists, including out-of-state travelers.