The United States continues to see declines in Canadian tourist visits. Some provinces in Canada have taken the boycotts to the next level. The U.S. is set to lose thousands of dollars in tourism revenue from schools in Manitoba. U.S. trips have been cancelled due to safety concerns.
Superintendent Daniel Preteau of the Red River Valley School Division told CBC News about the division’s decision to pull back on school trips to the United States.
“We have students, we have staff that are from different ethnic groups, religious groups, beliefs. Right now, with the current tensions across the world, we find that our students and staff are safer to travel within our own country.”
This winter, U.S. ski resorts are feeling the impacts of reduced Canadian travel. Some have attempted to sway Canadians back in with clever marketing and luck, with snow. However, even with at-par offers for Canadians, they are still opting for other ski resorts, especially options within Canada.
Here’s a closer look at how U.S. ski resorts are responding to the decline, and how one region has lost millions due to boycotts.
The Regional Office Of Sustainable Tourism For The Adirondack Mountains Region Has Reported Losses Of Roughly $14 Million
A woman goes skiing in the Adirondack Mountains.Credit: via Shutterstock
As Canadians continue to avoid U.S. travel, ski resorts are feeling the impact. A dip has taken place among Ontario residents visiting the United States.
The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) states Ontario residents traveling across the border dipped by 40% in 2025 compared to the year prior.
Ski resorts are feeling the impact this winter. Some are still recovering from the pandemic drop.
Dan Kelleher, president and CEO of the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism for the Adirondack Mountains, tells CBC News that the impact could be felt across the region, with millions of dollars in lost revenue from Canadian tourists.
“We’re estimating that we’ve lost roughly $14 million in our region from lost sales to Canadians not coming.”
Especially for ski resorts in the New York area, getting Canadians back is crucial, given that they account for a large share of tourism dollars.
Other New York resorts are also concerned about the recent trends and expect them to continue throughout the upcoming spring break.
New York Ski Resorts Are Expecting A Big Drop For Spring Break
Chairlift on a ski hill in Jay Peak, VermontCredit: via Shutterstock
New York ski resorts are predicting a dip for spring break. Holiday Valley Ski Resort in Ellicottville, N.Y., a less-than four-hour drive from Toronto, has seen plenty of Canadians in the past.
However, the resort’s director of marketing, Dash Hegeman, predicts a different outcome for March break.
“Historically we’ve had a good number of Canadian school clubs that have come down,” he said. “And so a number of those have just decided that they’re not going to allow travel across the border.”
Whiteface Mountain Ski Resort in Lake Placid, N.Y., already experienced a shortage of Canadians during the pandemic, with Canadians accounting for roughly 15% of day passes and season passes. Numbers had recovered in 2022, but are now down once again following 2025.
Several resorts are just taking losses. However, others have launched campaigns to entice Canadians back in. At some resorts, an at-par exchange rate has been offered for certain services.
Ski Resorts Like Jay Peak In Vermont Are Trying To Entice Canadians Back In With An At-Par Offer
Speaking with Bloomberg, Jay Peak Resort President and general manager Steve Wright explained the loss in Canadians, with numbers dipping by 35%. Wright tried contacting the customers himself.
“Many had tears and were choking up over the fact that they just couldn’t, in good conscience, come to the States.”
In an effort to entice Canadians back to the ski resort, Jay Peak Resort is offering at-par exchange rates for certain purchases.
“Jay Peak accepts Canadian cash at par, with valid proof of current Canadian residency on the following admission products when purchased on-site. On property guests charging back to their room will be charged in US funds on their credit card,” they wrote.
Jay Peak’s At-Par Offers Include:
Lift tickets
Day passes for the Pump House Indoor Waterpark
Day passes for the Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Trails
Golf rounds
Tram rides
Season Passes (Ski & Ride, Pump House, etc.)
Movie tickets
Vertical and horizontal climbing products
Jay Peak adds that Canadian guests must provide proof of residency, while charges will be made in U.S. funds.
With the offer, Jay Peak has reduced the boycotts from Canada. A bit of luck, with lots of snow, has also helped. However, other ski resorts across the U.S. haven’t been as lucky.