Ski resorts face winter without international tourists

As B.C.'s world-class ski resorts brace for a winter without international tourists due to closed borders, many are betting that locals will help make up for the lost revenue for the resorts.

Canada has closed its borders since March due to the pandemic, and that poses a problem for both the ski resorts and connected towns that rely on international tourists buying ski lessons, renting gear and spending locally to buoy their economies.

“We're desperately trying to make that up with domestic bookings,” said Michael Ballingall, senior vice-president of Big White Ski Resort, about 450 kilometres east of Vancouver. They plan to roll out flight deals and discounts on longterm stays to attract Canadians.

While international visitors represent just 21 per cent of reservations, they contribute 32 per cent of revenue, Ballingall said, underscoring how the different spending patterns of domestic visitors won't necessarily bridge the budget gap — Canadians take fewer lessons, buy little or no equipment, and eat out less frequently.

Ballingall said the resort had lost $4 million in bookings as of Sept. 1.

Whistler Blackcomb, the site of the 2010 Winter Olympics, is optimistic locals will fill the gap left by international skiers, said Marc Riddell, West Coast director of communications for the resort's owner, Vail Resorts Inc.

Tourism Whistler said that, in a normal year, 60 per cent of Whistler's visitors were international.