The public should be aware that lift mechanics at Park City Mountain voted to unionize last year.

Like their fellow employees, the ski patrollers, the mechanics did so in order to get paid a fair wage for what they do. Most guests at PCMR do not appreciate the importance of the lift maintenance team.

First and foremost, they keep the lifts working in a safe and reliable manner. To accomplish this, they work long days and are one of the first employees on the mountain and at times are the last to leave.

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They work in all weather conditions and in many cases their job is very dangerous. It is self-evident that climbing a lift tower in a snowstorm to make repairs is a dangerous situation. However, when guests are stranded on a lift in those situations the lift mechanic has no other choice but to take the risk in order to get the lifts operational.

The skills required of a lift mechanic are not learned in a week, month, or a year. These are skills that take years to master. Most of the men and women who work at Park City want to make this a career as they love what they do.

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The issue is that Park City Mountain’s parent company Vail Resorts, doesn’t value these hard-dedicated and essential employees. All the mechanics are seeking is fair wages, safe working conditions and increased training.

These individuals are not easy to replace. As a matter of fact, for several years, they have been understaffed as a good mechanic is hard to find.

Many have left Park City for better paying jobs at other resorts. These men and women like their fellow ski patrollers are the unsung heroes of the resort. When they are called to duty, they are putting their life on the line to ensure the safe operation of the resort.

Michael Howard

Jeremy Ranch