There are many moving parts that go into operating a ski resort. You need your cooks and bartenders to create the perfect aprè ski atmosphere, groomers to ensure every slope is ski-ready, instructors for those still learning the slopes' ways, and so many more. But what is the one group that a ski resort could not run without? The Ski Patrollers.
This year, Eldora Ski Resort gave a cost of living raise by 3% to all other departments but the ski patrollers. While this might not seem like a big increase for some, it is for somebody that works 40 plus hours a week. After dealing with being treated unfairly for years, a group of patrollers in the Eldora Ski Patrol Team created The Eldora Professional Ski Patrol Association, also known as Eldora PSPA. After months of fighting with Eldora and the big company that owns the resort, POWDR, the patrollers finally became unionized in March of 2023. But, there was still pushback from Eldora and POWDR when contract negotiations started. It was not until October of this year that the patrollers started to negotiate a union contract with Eldora. The union is hopeful to come to an agreement with Eldora by March of this coming year and potentially get raises and better working conditions starting next season.
I followed Jo Letourneau, a ski patroller and Union Board Member, as she showed me what life as a patroller is like on and off the slopes. This story highlights the hard work, long days, teamwork, and devotion that these patrollers put into working to keep everyone on the slopes safe. These patrollers work so hard to keep others safe and it's about time their companies work to keep them feeling like they can work and live safely as a patroller.
Jo Letourneau skis down a slope while on the clock at Eldora Ski Resort, in Nederland, Colo., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. She works 40-plus hours a week and has been a patroller at Eldora for three years.
Jo walks into the patroller's dispatch building at the top of the Alpemglow lift, on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. The patrollers switch off days working in the dispatch office while others are out responding or working on the slopes.
Jo chats with fellow patroller, Austin Shaw, on the Alpemglow lift which take one to the top of the mountain, on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.
Jo wears an Eldora PSPA Badge on her jacket to represent and show her support for the Union, on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. There are currently 5 Union Board Members that represent The Eldora PSPA. The Eldora Ski Patrollers had a landslide vote of 90% in support of starting the Union.
Jo stands in her kitchen after getting home from work, in Nederland, Colo., on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. She had the next 3 days off and was debating on if she was going to go into Boulder, Colo., to go grocery shopping. Many of the patrollers will come into Boulder on their off days to buy better produce and groceries. Most mountain town grocery stores will mark up the prices of products since it is harder to transport goods to those towns, and they are in less competitive areas.
Stevie, Jo's roommate's cat, stands on the window ledge at their house, in Nederland Colo., on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. Jo's house is about 10 minutes from the Resort.
Jo goes grocery shopping in Boulder, Colo., on her off day before catching the bus back home on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. This was Jo's last day off before having to return back to work the next day. She enjoyed the day by running errands in Boulder and climbing with her friend.
Jo waits at a bus stop to return home to Nederland, Colo., on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. Since Jo does not have a car, she takes the NB or NB1 bus, a route from Boulder to Nederland, Colo., or vice versa. The bus ride can take anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes.
Inside the patrol building where they take patients that need care, Jo talks with other fellow employees at Eldora Ski Resort, in Nederland, Colo., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.
Jo works on getting her snowmobile certification, one of many certifications that patrollers have to get, on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.
Jo fixes a rope barrier on a slope to ensure that skiers do not ski in unsafe areas, on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.
Eldora Ski Resort is located right outside the town of Nederland Colo., This is a picture of the town of Nederland, with the ski resort in the background at sunset, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. The population of the town is around 1,480 people.