Costs when there is a Ski Worker Shortage: When Vermont Ski Areas go Short Staffed.
Up at the base of Killington and Pico, the winter snow brings a force of skiers and snowboarders, but behind the scenes, mountain managers quietly brace for a familiar and growing challenge: not enough hands to run the resort. Vermont ski areas depend on seasonal workers for nearly every aspect of their operation that include lift operators, grooming crews, snowmakers, kitchen staff, and hotel workers. However, in recent seasons, finding enough people has become a mounting problem.
Tight Labor Market with Big Consequences
Vermont’s unemployment rate has hovered around 3%, which sounds great for the economy, but for ski resorts, it makes hiring seasonal workers especially hard. (WBUR) Resorts like Killington report that they typically go from 500 summer employees to 2,000 or more in winter, but with fewer workers available, they’ve had to make tough choices. (Vermont Public)
At one point, Killington even suspended room bookings because they lacked enough housekeepers. (Vermont Public) In other mountain towns, restaurants have cut back on their menus, cross-trained staff across departments, and leaned more heavily on automation like ticket kiosks, mobile apps, and other tec to make up for missing people. (WBUR)
Housing Crunch Worsens the Problem
It’s not just about paying people it’s also about giving them a place to live. Many ski towns struggle with limited housing, and that makes it hard to attract seasonal workers who need a place to stay. Many resorts have tried creative solutions by converting guest rooms to employee housing, leasing homes, and partnering with locals to house workers through programs like “Tenants for Turns.” (Vermont Public)
What Happens When Staffing Falls Short
When resorts are understaffed, operations and safety can be compromised, and the overall guest experience declines. Existing staff face burnout from increased workloads, and resorts incur higher costs to attract workers with increased wages and benefits. Some resorts are implementing innovative staffing solutions, such as cross training staff who can float between roles like guest services, food service, and parking (Vermont Public). At the Brown Law Firm, we have extensive experience handling personal injury cases, and we help clients who have been injured when issues that unfortunately arise when staffing shortages impact safety.
Broader Impacts on Local Communities
A workforce crunch at ski resorts doesn’t just affect the mountains, it has ripple effects in nearby towns. Tourism slows when services are thin, affecting restaurants, lodging, and shops that rely on winter traffic. Without a robust seasonal labor pool, the local economy can take a hit.
What Resorts Are Doing
Vermont ski areas are finding creative ways to address staffing shortages. Many resorts have raised wages to make positions more competitive, while others are adding seasonal housing to accommodate workers. Hiring efforts are being strengthened with incentives, better benefits, and improved living arrangements. At the same time, some resorts are turning to technology, such as self-serve kiosks and smarter scheduling tools, to help ease the pressure on staff.
