STEVENS PASS, Wash. — After weeks of complaints and controversy, long lines and limited access to the mountain, some think there may be a light at the end of the tunnel for Stevens Pass.
The Skykomish ski area, owned by Vail Resorts, has a new interim general manager.
For the first time since taking the job, Tom Fortune went on the record with KIRO 7′s Lauren Donovan.
For Fortune, what started as weekly trips to Stevens on the Edmonds Ski Bus has since transformed in a lifetime commitment to the mountains.
Two decades followed where Fortune lived and worked at the ski area. Eventually he left to manage other operations but came back a few weeks ago for a new and temporary role as interim general manager.
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In the meantime, frustration has continued to snowball here at Stevens Pass. An online petition to “Hold Vail Resorts Accountable” has nearly 44,000 signatures.
More than 250 complaints against Stevens Pass and Vail Resorts have been filed with the Washington Attorney General’s office.
The list of season pass holders asking Vail Resorts, which owns Stevens, for their money back is growing.
They say long lift lines and access to only 40% of terrain isn’t what they paid for.
This directly related to a staffing shortage. People argue workers need housing on site and to earn more than a base wage of $15 dollars per hour.
Fortune said there are a lot of people in the pipeline to be hired and he’s also trying to peak interest with the promise of an addition $2 per hour for every hour worked the rest of the season.
As for terrain, by Friday, Fortune anticipates 86% will be accessible.
When it comes to the future of housing – 25 beds are ready and available to those looking to live and work at the mountain.
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