Vail Resorts Faces Lawsuit Over Unpaid Wages to Instructors

"We're not just talking about a few extra bucks, we're talking about thousands of dollars in unpaid wages and expenses" — that's what one ski instructor told me about the lawsuit against Vail Resorts. Nearly 2,000 ski and snowboard instructors have joined the collective action, alleging the company failed to properly compensate them for required job duties. The case, Quint et al. v. Vail Resorts, Inc., claims employees were not paid for "off-the-clock" work, including time spent traveling between job sites, putting on and removing equipment, and attending training sessions.

The lawsuit also alleges that instructors were not reimbursed for necessary job expenses such as ski equipment and work-related cell phone use. Vail Resorts has denied all allegations, maintaining it has complied with wage laws and properly paid its employees. But the numbers tell a different story — with roughly 24,000 potential employees eligible to join the lawsuit, the fact that fewer than 2,000 have opted in so far means many instructors may have missed the notice.

The deadline to opt in is April 15, 2026, but a judge's order issued this week could result in an extension of that deadline. Magistrate Judge N. Reid Neureiter has ordered both parties to participate in a discovery hearing on Wednesday to discuss the issue. The hearing will likely focus on why so few instructors have joined the lawsuit, despite the large number of eligible employees. Plaintiffs are concerned that many instructors may not have received notice of the lawsuit, which could affect their ability to participate in any potential settlement or judgment.

For locals who work at Vail Resorts-owned ski areas, this lawsuit is worth watching. If you were a ski or snowboard instructor at any Vail Resorts-owned ski area at any time since the 2017-18 season, you're eligible to join. To participate, you must actively opt in by submitting a consent form, available at vailresortsinstructorwagelitigation.com under the "Join Collective" option. The short version: if you think you're owed back pay or expenses, you need to take action.

Make no mistake, this lawsuit has the potential to cost Vail Resorts millions. The company's denial of all allegations suggests they're preparing for a long and costly battle. But for the instructors, it's not just about the money, it's about fair compensation for their work. As one instructor put it, "we're not asking for special treatment, we're just asking to be paid for the work we do."

The case attempted to notice roughly 24,000 potential employees via postal mail and email, but the low opt-in rate so far suggests that many instructors may not have received the notice. This is a problem; if instructors don't know about the lawsuit, they can't participate. And if they can't participate, they won't receive any share of a potential settlement or judgment.

The hearing on Wednesday will be crucial in determining the next steps in the lawsuit. Will the deadline be extended? Will Vail Resorts be forced to pay back wages and expenses to its instructors? The community will be watching closely. Read that again: 24,000 potential employees, and only 2,000 have opted in. Something's not adding up.