I’m in my 8th season patrolling at Canyons/Park City and my 11th season overall. Before moving to Utah I researched 11 ski patrols in 5 western states and through that effort I found Canyons to have the best comprehensive employment package.
We all do this job for similar reasons – skiing pow, working outside, throwing avalanche shots, enjoying our hilarious coworkers – and after hearing from patrollers across the country, I think those attributes of the job hold true no matter where you work. What can be different, I found, is the kind of compensation package a ski area offers you. I was looking for a patrol that could make this more of a sustainable career. Have you ever been called a ski bum? Though I smile at that nickname, I know the truth is that I’m a professional with a specialized skill set who works hard for her paycheck.
After working at Canyons and talking to patrollers who had been here for 10+ years I learned that their union had won them many of the improved employment perks and benefits that other patrols were lacking. As a result I joined the union so I too could have a voice in shaping our future employment benefits.
This is my tenth season patrolling at Canyons/Park City. I started patrolling because it was everything I wanted to do…ski, avalanche control, help people and do all this with folks that have become really great friends all while getting paid. Now it is my career and I have realized how important it is to work along side with professionals who have chosen this as their career path also.
I would like to tell you about my business. I am in the business of ski patrolling! This is not a publicly traded commodity residing on Wall Street, and I am not just in the business of making money like large publicly traded companies. I am in the business of helping others, keeping people safe, preventing injury, saving lives, and risking my own to ensure others safety, all while trying to be safe and have fun. A main concern of mine is, that I am able to do my job, and to support myself AND those that depend on me! I don’t know about you but as a ten-year patroller, I would rather be able to afford to pay the bills in my own home, rather than live in dormitory style housing with 500 other employees!
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