Banff (AB), Canada – Officials at Sunshine Village ski area above Banff were forced to close several areas of the resort on Wednesday and issue reduced price lift tickets after the majority of the area’s ski patrollers staged a walkout.nThe labor action took place in protest over the firing of five patrollers since Christmas, including several who have spent decades working at the resort. The firings reportedly arose out of a confrontation between patrollers and a well-connected Sunshine Village skier who was found with several others in a closed area on the mountain in December. The latest firing took place on Tuesday.

A dozen patrollers called in sick on Wednesday, forcing the reduced operations at Sunshine. The four fired earlier have retained counsel and are contemplating a wrongful termination lawsuit against the resort. The fifth patroller dismissed on Wednesday is considering joining that action.