Ski patrollers miffed by wages they say are too low for high living costs have put a wrench in operations at the biggest U.S. ski resort with a rare strike that began over the busy holidays and carried on into the new year's fresh powder.

Strike centers on more than starting wages, as holiday pay, health coverage pay and increases based on experience and inflation at issue. Park City Mountain Resort’s longstanding image as a premier ski and snowboard destination in the United States is taking a hit as a contentious ski patrol strike drags into a second week.

Park City Mayor Nann Worel and the city council are calling on Park City Mountain owner Vail Resorts to reach an agreement with the striking ski patrol union.