2,000+ Instructors in Lawsuit Against Vail Resorts

20th April 2026

It is a class action case by ski and snowboard teachers as they claim unfair labour practices against the US resort giant.

The lawsuit, originally filed in December 2020, claims the resort giant failed to properly compensate instructors for required job duties and work-related expenses.

The core of the lawsuit centers on what instructors characterise as off-the-clock work for which they were not compensated.

Specific allegations include:

• Travel time: Instructors claim they were not paid for time spent traveling between different job sites at resorts during their workday.
• Equipment handling: The lawsuit alleges instructors were not compensated for time spent putting on and removing ski or snowboard equipment necessary for their work.
• Mandatory training: Instructors say they attended required training sessions without pay.

The lawsuit also claims instructors were not reimbursed for necessary expenses including ski equipment and work-related cell phone use.

These are costs the instructors say are essential to performing their jobs.

See the full story in The Vail Daily.

Vail Resorts has denied all allegations and says it has complied with all state and federal wage laws.

The company asserts that its payroll systems are designed to ensure all employees are paid for every hour worked and that its compensation packages are in line with industry standards.

The outcome of the case will set a precedent for the US ski industry.

Skiing in the USA. Image © PlanetSKI