Julia Caulfield

The Telluride ski resort, known as Tellski, will be closing just in time for the small mountain community's busiest week of the winter, when an estimated 9,000 to 10,000 visitors are in town per day between Christmas and the new year.

The privately owned ski company has been in contract negotiations with the local ski patrol union since June.

Tellski says their contract offer is, quote, generous and market-leading.

Ski Patrol, on the other hand, argues it doesn't provide a livable wage in the expensive resort town.

While Telsky's owner is placing the blame for the shutdown on ski patrol, union representatives say the ski company would rather close the mountain than give them a fair contract.

For NPR News, I'm Julia Caulfield in Telluride.

The Telluride ski resort, known as Tellski, will be closing just in time for the small mountain community's busiest week of the winter, when an estimated 9,000 to 10,000 visitors are in town per day between Christmas and the new year.

The privately owned ski company has been in contract negotiations with the local ski patrol union since June.

Tellski says their contract offer is, quote, generous and market-leading.

Ski Patrol, on the other hand, argues it doesn't provide a livable wage in the expensive resort town.

While Telsky's owner is placing the blame for the shutdown on ski patrol, union representatives say the ski company would rather close the mountain than give them a fair contract.

For NPR News, I'm Julia Caulfield in Telluride.