The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Effective for 2022-23 season at CBMR
[ By Kendra Walker ]
On Monday, Vail Resorts announced a $20 per hour minimum wage for all 37 of its North America resorts, including Crested Butte Mountain Resort, effective for the 2022-23 ski and ride season.
“At Crested Butte Mountain Resort, that represents a $5 per hour increase (which is up 33%) from this season,” said new CBMR communications manager Julie Block. “Entry-level ski patrollers and maintenance team members will start at $21 per hour. To ensure career and leadership wage differentials, Vail Resorts is also increasing wages for non-entry level hourly team members.”
Block also noted that the wage increases are part of a larger employee-focused investment initiative, which includes increased HR support, a commitment to accelerate progress on affordable housing, updated perks and benefits, and an expanded focus on career development. With regard to affordable housing for CBMR employees, Block did not have any specifics to share at this time.
In January as a result of staffing shortages amid the COVID Omicron surge, Vail Resorts implemented a $2/hour raise from its previous $15/hour salary for its employees. That action made the minimum starting salary $17/hour for the remainder of the season for those who complete their job through closing day on April 3 for CBMR.
“Our employees’ passion is what makes our resorts so special and our guests’ experience memorable,” said Kirsten Lynch, chief executive officer of Vail Resorts in Monday’s announcement. “In my first 100 days as CEO, I have had the opportunity to reflect on what is important, and what our company must focus on as we move forward. Our top priority must be to support and invest in our employees – their wages, benefits, HR support, housing and career development. This incremental $175 million annual investment in the employee experience marks a new direction for our company. Combined with an over $300 million investment in 21 new lifts for next season, we will work to ensure our resorts deliver an Experience of a Lifetime for both our employees and our guests.”
