Vail Resorts Ski Instructors Wage Lawsuit: Join the Collective Action

If you've taught skiing or snowboarding at any of Vail Resorts' properties, including Keystone, Breckenridge, or Vail, since the 2017-18 season, you might be eligible to join a lawsuit against the company. Nearly 2,000 instructors have already opted in, alleging that Vail Resorts failed to properly compensate them for required job duties and expenses.

The lawsuit, Quint et al. v. Vail Resorts, Inc., claims that instructors were not paid for "off-the-clock" work, such as traveling between job sites, putting on and removing equipment, and attending training sessions. Instructors also allege that they were not reimbursed for necessary job expenses like ski equipment and work-related cell phone use. Vail Resorts has denied all allegations, maintaining that it has complied with wage laws and properly paid its employees.

For Western Slope residents who work as ski instructors, this lawsuit could have significant implications. If you're eligible to join, you'll need to submit a consent form by April 15, 2026, to participate in the lawsuit and potentially receive a share of any settlement or judgment. You can find the consent form at vailresortsinstructorwagelitigation.com under the "Join Collective" option.

What This Means for You

If you're a ski instructor who has worked at a Vail Resorts-owned property, you should take a close look at your pay stubs and expense records. Have you been reimbursed for all your work-related expenses? Have you been paid for all the time you've spent on required job duties, including training sessions and equipment maintenance? If not, you might be eligible to join the lawsuit and recoup some of that lost pay.

It's worth noting that Vail Resorts has attempted to notice roughly 24,000 potential employees via postal mail and email, but with fewer than 2,000 opt-ins so far, plaintiffs are concerned that not everyone who is eligible has received the notice. If you're eligible to join the lawsuit, don't assume that someone else will take care of it for you – take action and submit your consent form before the deadline.

A Potential Extension

A judge's order issued this week could result in an extension of the opt-in deadline, as Magistrate Judge N. Reid Neureiter has ordered both parties to participate in a discovery hearing on Wednesday. This hearing will discuss the issue of notice and whether all eligible instructors have received the necessary information to join the lawsuit. If the deadline is extended, it could give more instructors a chance to opt in and participate in the lawsuit.

For now, the deadline to opt in remains April 15, 2026. If you're a ski instructor who has worked at a Vail Resorts-owned property, don't wait – submit your consent form and join the lawsuit. You might be able to recoup some of the pay and expenses you're owed, and you'll be standing up for your rights as a worker.