By Hannah Truby
On a morning in late November, as much of the western U.S. faced a dismally late start to winter, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) ski patroller Tyler Babcock paused between shifts to talk about something more lasting than powder: the future of his profession.
This fall, Babcock and his team of fellow patrollers filed a petition to unionize—joining a wave of ski patrols across the U.S. who have done the same in recent years.
Though Babcock speaks with measured caution—mindful that the final union vote is still ahead—he’s blunt about the math: the future of the ski patrol profession isn’t viable for the long term. “We’re looking for safety and security in the career of ski patrol and its longevity,” he said. “Mountain towns have different pressures than other places just by their nature. We’re seeing other patrols have a similar response to the cost of living in those places.”
With 93 percent of the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol (JHSP) members supporting the initiative, their effort signals something bigger than just one resort’s labor story. It’s a reflection of how ski culture itself is changing under mountain conglomeration and economic strain.
For many patrollers, living near the mountain they protect has become nearly impossible. Teton County, Wyoming, is consistently ranked as one of the wealthiest counties in the United States based on per-capita income. With a 2023 per-capita income of $471,795, its wealth is driven by a high concentration of high-income earners, which has contributed to both a high cost of living and significant income inequality within the county. Median home prices hover around $3 million, forcing many service workers to commute from neighboring Idaho.
While JHMR’s brand evokes luxury—its lift tickets cost upward of $225 a day—its patrollers, many of whom hold avalanche certifications, EMT licenses, and decades of on-mountain experience, often struggle to keep pace with the rising cost of living.“More than a third of our patrol lives outside of Teton County, sometimes commuting three to four hours one way to get here, to throw explosives, to open a resort. That’s a tall order for somebody making the wages that we’re making,” Babcock said.
Ski patrolling might seem like a job ripe for thrill-seekers—cowboys of the snow, as it were—but it’s truly a profession for people like Babcock: those with years of experience and a deep respect for safety.JHMR’s vaunted 86-member ski patrol team navigates some of the most treacherous terrain in the world, responding to medical emergencies on the slopes and routinely detonating powerful explosives to control backcountry avalanches. The job favors preparedness over impulsivity, calmness over boldness. For all its adventure, much of the work can feel routine, with every risk carefully managed for the safety of the resort’s roughly 50,000 daily visitors. Patroller expertise comes at a high cost, and the JHSP’s petition is part of an effort to secure more than just fair wages—“comprehensive benefits, equitable career incentives,” and, ultimately, a seat at the table.
JHSP member Tyler Babcock and his dog, Dolly. Image courtesy of "A Day in the Life: Jackson Hole Ski Patrol Avalanche Dogs"
“It’s a much broader conversation than wages,” Babcock said. “Health insurance is one. The ACA has been a boon for people who are career professionals but are also seasonal. Seeing that fall away is a scary prospect for people who don’t have job-attached healthcare.
“And anytime you get to this point where organizing is the route you choose, it’s indicative that you feel like your voice isn’t being heard,” he added. “The world of ski resorts is shifting. More and more resort conglomerates are taking hold. I wouldn’t say that influenced our decision, but it’s something we’re keeping our eye on.”
JHSP’s push doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Across the country, ski patrols have been testing the limits of resort labor. Park City Mountain Resort held a high-profile strike during the holidays last year, demanding better pay from Vail Resorts. In Telluride, patrollers and management are still circling each other over a contract as the season gets off to a slow, weather-delayed start—patrollers there have already authorized a strike if talks break down. Meanwhile, over in Breckenridge, patrol just reached a tentative agreement with Vail.
Even with widespread support, not everyone on the mountain sees unionization as the solution; some patrollers remain skeptical about whether organizing is the right path.
On a Facebook thread, a veteran patroller weighed in:
“A union is not a magic wand,” Babcock said in response to opposition. “Every choice has pros and cons. What we hope to secure is accountability from resort leadership.
Unionizing doesn’t mean everything’s going to be perfect—it means we’ll have a voice in it. While an overwhelming majority of our patrol is in favor of having this vote, organizing a union like this is a grassroots democratic process. We respect everyone’s voice—even dissenting ones—and we’ll move forward together regardless.
Babcock said the team is "very grateful” to the Communication Workers of America (CWA) and its organizers helping the patrol throughout the process, and noted that while other patrollers at resorts like Aspen were able to unionize without larger representation, today’s climate is a different one, and having CWA back in is “a huge benefit”.
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, for its part, has kept its public response measured. In a statement from JHMR Vice President of Marketing Ned Wonson, the resort said: “We care deeply about every member of our team, and we value the important role ski patrol plays at our resort. We are committed to listening, engaging respectfully, and continuing open dialogue.”
The resort’s statement frames its position as one of respect and willingness to talk, though it stops short of indicating whether management intends to support or oppose the organizing effort. A spokesperson echoed the same sentiment in a separate statement, noting that the resort is focused on “an outcome that supports our employees and the exceptional experience we strive to create for our guests and our mountain community.”
When asked whether the patrol would consider following the path of other resorts by striking or staging work stoppages, Babcock didn’t hesitate. “I think I can confidently say that we look forward to working at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. That's why we're here,” he said. “We hope to achieve a positive outcome that not only benefits our patrol, but also benefits the resort. In turn, that will benefit our community and our guests. We're focused on that. We’re looking forward to having a great season and showing up to work and being here to provide a great product for our guests.”
JHMR opened for its 2025-2026 winter season on Thursday, December 4, 2025, kicking off its 60th Anniversary season with the Teewinot, Après Vous, and Sweetwater Gondola running.
Babcock estimates that an official vote will take place within the next four to six weeks, pending NLRB availability.
“This process can sometimes be adversarial in nature,” said Babcock. “The advice we’ve gotten from other patrols is to stick together, respect each other, and communicate. We’re a family — although somewhat dysfunctional sometimes—and we’re in good spirits. You can feel the energy and excitement in our patrol.”
For updates straight from the source, follow @jacksonholeskipatrol on Instagram.
