I was fortunate to grow up here in Utah, where I discovered a lifelong passion for skiing and the mountains we call home. One of my first jobs after college was as a mountain host at Park City Ski Area during the winter of 1994–95. Today, nearly 30 years later, my love for the sport remains as strong as ever.This deep passion for skiing has shaped my career. I’ve worked at ski resorts, promoted skiing throughout our state, and helped guide Utah’s skiing and tourism industries. What I love about this industry isn’t just the snow, it’s the people — individuals like me who began their careers on the mountain driven by a shared love of skiing, and who work hard to create a better experience for everyone. I like to think I “share” my passion for skiing more than I “promote” it.As a resident of this community for over 25 years, following the daily news of the patrollers’ strike at Park City has been personally painful. Operating the largest resort in the United States is an incredibly complex undertaking. Mountain patrol plays a vital role in ensuring everyone’s safety, working as part of a larger team that includes lift mechanics, groomers, snowmakers, lift attendants, instructors, ticketing staff, parking crews, food and beverage teams, and many others — all coming together to make a ski resort function, often in challenging conditions.Nathan Rafferty is the president and CEO of Ski Utah. Credit: Courtesy Ski UtahI am not writing to take a side. The issue is complex, with many layers to the discussion.However, I am writing to call out the lack of civility in the discourse. There are good people on all sides of this issue — people like you and me who share a love for skiing and the mountains. Whether it’s the patrollers on strike, the employees working long hours to keep the resort running, or the resort’s management, everyone involved shares a common connection to the sport we love.Deirdra Walsh is a great example. She is a longtime member of our local community. First moving to Park City in 2004, then starting as a banquet sales coordinator at the ski area in 2007, she worked her way up, honing her leadership skills on the front lines of the resort she now leads. Deirdra and her family have been active members of our Park City community for two decades. She took her first snowboarding lesson at Park City and even got engaged on Main Street.There are always two sides to any issue, and the best (and perhaps only) way to find resolution is by maintaining respect for everyone involved. You don’t have to agree with every point, but respecting others as fellow humans — and in this case, as fellow skiers and riders — can lead to common ground.Each of us who weighs in on this issue, whether online, in a casual conversation at the grocery store or on a chairlift, shares the responsibility to engage in civil discourse. When the conversation devolves into toxic rhetoric, mudslinging, or threats, resolution becomes impossible, and new issues arise.The biggest loser in this situation isn’t the patrollers, Vail Resorts, or even our understandably frustrated out-of-town guests — it’s our Park City community. The vitriol being expressed in passionate social media rants and heated exchanges isn’t helping either side. It’s only deepening the divide and harming our community — and our sport.We are not short on challenges these days. If we truly care about the people and entities that make Park City what it is, and if we cherish this community where we live, work, and play, let’s lead by example. Let’s elevate our discussions, engage with civility, and show respect for one another. By doing so, we can honor the shared passion that unites us and present the best of our community to residents and guests alike.Nathan Rafferty is the president and CEO of Ski Utah.The post We each have a responsibility to be civil with each other, especially now appeared first on Park Record.