Snowbasin Resort cancels summer concert series due to severe staff shortage

HUNTSVILLE, Utah – The Blues, Brews and BBQ concert series has been a summer staple at Snowbasin Resort in Weber County for nearly a decade, but after the pandemic was forced to cancel in 2020, this year, there is another reason for cancellation.

“Canceling the Blues and Brews is really disappointing because it’s a big community event,” said Snowbasin general manager Davy Ratchford. “It serves a purpose in the community. We all want to go out and have a good time and have a drink, watch a show, have a good experience, so not being able to organize the event was really difficult for our team. That’s what we want to do, but we just can’t do it if we don’t have the staff.

On Monday, Snowbasin Resort announced that five of the six events, from August 8 to September 5, related to the concert series have been canceled.

“Despite many adjustments, increased recruitment efforts and great benefits, we have experienced a severe staff shortage in our catering operations,” the resort said in an email statement Monday morning.

The resort hopes the staff situation will improve as it plans to hold its SnowWiesn Oktoberfest on Sunday starting September 12. However, an announcement will be made at a later date regarding the status of the event.

“Across the country and here locally, we are struggling to recruit employees, especially across the food and beverage industry as COVID has been decimated somewhat, and it’s slow to bring those employees back,” said Ratchford. “Even though we have some great competitive advantages to be here in the mountains, we are just struggling to get people into our system. “

Specifically, for roles related to food and drink, Snowbasin has been offering a signing bonus of $ 500 as well as an hourly wage of between $ 14 and $ 23. Right now, the minimum wage in Utah is an hourly rate of $ 7.25.

“The people who make the beer or the bands, everyone, that’s a critical decision… to be made because the impacts are real,” Ratchford said of the tough decision to cancel five weeks of live music. , food and activities. “I strongly encourage everyone to go out and work, that’s the important part. There are great, well-paying jobs. It’s a great place to work – all ski industries are. It’s a career if you will.

Blue, Brews and BBQ will be a one day event on August 1, with free live music from noon to 4:30 p.m., food, drink, and family-friendly activities including the Wildflower mini-golf course.

The resort hopes the seasonal positions begin to fill with other events planned for the fall and winter, bringing back skiers and runners.