From an attempt to usurp the Park City’s name and our brand, to withholding skier/rider numbers and capacity (that would enable the city to make informed decisions about new lifts, parking, and safety restrictions), to long lift lines, to reasonable wages for ski patrollers, Vail Resorts has consistently placed corporate profits well ahead of the visitor experience, local Parkites’ well-being, and even safety considerations. If any other local businesses were to conduct themselves in this manner the police, fire department and/or City Hall would shut them down immediately. Why should Vail Resorts be given a free pass?This is not an indictment of Park City Mountain’s employees and management. They are doing the best they can under trying circumstances. These Vail fails are a clear result of corporate greed, lack of transparency and mismanagement at Vail Resorts’ highest levels.Vail Resorts management claims the lack of snow exacerbated the situation, and there is some truth to this, but next-door Deer Valley, literally a snowball’s throw away, has done a far superior job opening and maintaining trails, as well as lift lines and parking during the challenging vacation period.Time and again Vail Resorts has demonstrated it is not interested in being a good neighbor. It’s time for Mayor Worel and the City Council to use their leverage and tools (e.g. a local business license; discussions with the property owner and landlord) and subsidies (e.g. free bus service, satellite parking lots, etc.) to force Vail Resorts to comply with community standards.This latest Vail fail of long lift lines filled with angry skiers and boarders, closed trails, and striking ski patrollers has been picked up by the national and international media, as well as going viral on social media, further damaging our Park City brand and reputation. My small business is down nearly 50% this winter.We’ve seen enough. City Hall must take a bold stance and require that Park City Mountain follow the same safety rules and regulations as other local businesses. If Vail Vail Resorts fails to comply it should be compelled to divest itself from the management of Park City Mountain. A Vail Resorts divestiture should not be considered lightly. The advent of the Epic Pass has incentivized skiers from around the country to visit Park City, has enabled locals to enjoy the mountain at a reasonable cost, and has been a bonanza for local hospitality and related businesses. If we have to say goodbye to Vail Resorts, the resort could then be operated by 1) independent investors (as was recently done at Killington and Pico); 2) a local co-op of skiers and riders (Black Mountain); or 3) the local government (the European resort model). This would be an extreme and novel approach, sure, absolutely, but Vail Resorts’ multi-year and repeated failure in their stewardship of our key resource necessitates that the time has come to consider an outside-the-box solution.Michael E. KaplanPark CityThe post Time to say bye? appeared first on Park Record.