Why Ontario Skiers are Giving U.S. Slopes the “Cold Shoulder” in 2026

For decades, the winter ritual for thousands of Ontarians was as predictable as the first frost: pack the SUV, cross the border at Buffalo or Detroit, and head for the towering peaks of the American Rockies or the charming glades of Vermont. But in 2026, that well-beaten path is seeing significantly less traffic.

A growing movement among Ontario skiers is seeing them “stay north,” trading the Green Mountains and the Sierras for the Blue Mountains and the Laurentians. While weather and wallet always play a role, the 2026 “cold shoulder” is driven by a complex cocktail of geopolitics, national pride, and a plummeting exchange rate.

The “Trump Slump” Hits the Slopes

The most visible driver of this shift is political. Since the return of the Trump administration and the subsequent “tariff war” with Canada, a wave of anti-American sentiment has rippled through the Great White North. President Trump’s rhetoric—including suggestions of making Canada the “51st state”—has struck a nerve with Canadians who view their sovereignty and national identity as non-negotiable.

In Vermont, traditionally a favorite for Ontarians and Quebecers, the impact is stark. Steve Wright, general manager ofJay Peak Resort, recently reported a staggering 35% drop in season pass renewals from Canadian households. After personally calling dozens of former regulars, the feedback was unanimous: “We cannot, in good conscience, spend our money in a country that shows such disrespect to ours.”

This isn’t just a few isolated boycotts; it’s a nationwide sentiment dubbed the“Elbows Up” campaign. Visiting the U.S. is increasingly being seen as “un-Canadian,” leading to a projected $5.7 billion loss in U.S. tourism spending this year alone.

The Looming Loomie: The Cost of Crossing

Even for those who prefer to keep politics off the piste, the “math of the mountain” is becoming impossible to ignore. In early 2026, the Canadian dollar (the “loonie”) has been hovering around71 cents US.

When you factor in that a single-day lift ticket at premier U.S. resorts like Vail or Aspen can now exceed$300 USD, an Ontario family is looking at nearly$425 CAD per person, per dayjust to access the chairlift.

By contrast, Ontario resorts likeBlue MountainorMount St. Louis Moonstoneoffer far more palatable rates, often under $100 CAD for midweek passes. While the vertical drop might not be as dramatic, the hit to the bank account certainly is.

Mother Nature’s Northward Favor

In a twist of meteorological fate, the 2026 season has been a “tale of two winters.” While the U.S. Rockies and the West Coast are grappling with historic snow droughts—some areas recording 60% less moisture than the 30-year average—Canada has been “blanketed in brilliance.”

Resorts in Ontario and Quebec have benefitted from a series of “traditional” Arctic blasts that have kept snow guns quiet and natural powder deep. For an Ontario skier, the choice between a dry, expensive trip to a “brown” mountain in Montana and a lush, snowy, and affordable weekend in Collingwood is becoming a “no-brainer.”

The Rise of “Nostalgic” and Tech-Driven Domestic Travel

The 2026 season is also seeing a shift inhowwe ski. Ontario resorts are leaning heavily into two trends to keep locals at home:

Hyper-Local Tech: Resorts are deploying AI-powered apps that provide real-time crowd analytics and “smart” lift line management, making the shorter runs of Ontario feel more efficient and high-value.
Nostalgia-Core: There is a renewed focus on the “small-town charm” of local lodges. Families are returning to the hills where they first learned to ski, prioritizing the “après-ski” community over the sheer scale of the terrain.

The Structural Shift: A Permanent Change?

Tourism experts warn that this might not be a temporary blip. Tom Foley of Inntopia notes that “trust has collapsed across generations.” Once a traveler breaks their 20-year habit of visiting a specific U.S. resort and discovers the convenience of a domestic alternative, they are notoriously difficult to win back.

U.S. border towns are feeling the pinch. In Montana and Vermont, local businesses that once saw 25% of their revenue from Canadians are now “counting visitors on one hand.” Some cities have even tried desperate measures, such as temporarily renaming streets “Canada Street” or offering “at-par” currency deals, but so far, the “Elbows Up” resolve remains firm.

Conclusion: Patriotism on the Piste

As the 2026 ski season reaches its peak, the hills of Ontario are busier than ever. The “Cold Shoulder” being given to the U.S. is a powerful reminder that travel is more than just a transaction—it is a reflection of our values, our economy, and our pride. For now, Ontario skiers are perfectly happy to keep their loonies in their pockets and their skis on home turf.

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