Bridger Bowl Compensates Staff After Early Season Closure

Bridger Bowl Supports Staff Through Early Season End

Bridger Bowl in Montana has made a significant gesture of support for its seasonal workforce after a historically dry winter forced the resort to close operations three weeks early. While low snowfall is a recurring challenge for many resorts globally, Bridger Bowl’s response – providing additional compensation to displaced employees – stands out, particularly given the precarious financial position many seasonal workers find themselves in.

This year’s snowfall totalled just 138 inches, a stark contrast to the usual average of around 300 inches. The decision to close lifts was reportedly unavoidable given the combination of dangerously thin snowpack and unseasonably warm temperatures – hitting 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The impact on the resort’s 400-500 seasonal employees, who rely on this income, was considerable.

The Response: Beyond the Standard Bonus

Following the closure announcement, Bridger Bowl’s management proposed a plan to the board, requesting that seasonal employees receive their usual end-of-year bonus, plus an additional payment to offset lost wages. The board not only approved this proposal but reportedly encouraged management to increase the support further. This demonstrates a level of corporate responsibility that is rarely seen in the ski industry, where seasonal workers are often treated as expendable resources.

Employee Retention and the Importance of Staff

General Manager Hiram Towle highlighted the critical role played by the resort’s staff, crediting them as central to Bridger Bowl’s success. He also noted the high employee return rate, suggesting a positive working relationship – a factor that is often overlooked in the pursuit of maximising profits. It's a simple equation: treat your staff well, and they’re more likely to return and contribute to the resort’s long-term viability.

Context: A Growing Problem for Western Resorts

Bridger Bowl’s situation isn’t unique. Across the Western United States and increasingly in other regions, low snowfall is becoming a more frequent and severe challenge for ski resorts. While investments in snowmaking can mitigate the problem to some extent, they are expensive and energy-intensive. The financial strain on both resorts and employees is likely to increase in the coming years as climate change continues to impact snowpack levels. This incident underscores the need for resorts to consider the long-term consequences of these conditions and to develop strategies to support their workforce.

What It Means for Readers

Bridger Bowl’s actions offer a valuable lesson for the wider ski industry. While the immediate impact is positive for the affected employees, the situation highlights a broader vulnerability: the dependence of ski resorts on consistent snowfall and the precarious position of seasonal workers. Anyone booking a trip should be aware that increasingly frequent early closures are a possibility, and resorts need to prioritise the wellbeing of their staff in the face of these challenges.

It’s encouraging to see a resort taking proactive steps to support its employees, but it also serves as a reminder that the ski industry needs to address the underlying issues of climate change and workforce sustainability. The long-term viability of many resorts depends on it.