Montana Ski Towns Launch Campaigns to Woo Back Canadian Tourists Amidst Political Headwinds
KALISPELL, Mont. – Ski resorts and tourism-dependent towns in Montana are bracing for a potential economic downturn as cross-border political tensions threaten to considerably reduce Canadian visitation. Communities like Whitefish and Kalispell, historically reliant on Canadian tourists, are launching incentive programs to entice their northern neighbors back, fearing a steep drop in revenue this winter season.
The shift comes after a period of increasing friction between the U.S. and Canada, culminating in tariffs and a more cautious approach to travel from Canadians wary of being impacted by U.S. politics. While domestic tourism has provided a buffer, businesses are facing uncertainty as they prepare for the crucial winter months. The stakes are high: tourism is a major economic driver for these Montana towns, and a sustained decline in Canadian visitors could have lasting consequences.
Since 1912, the Kalispell Grand Hotel has welcomed Canadian guests, according to general Manager Mitchell Bump. “Back in the day, it was kind of like the cowboys, you know, rugged people,” Bump says. Now, the hotel is participating in the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce’s “Welcome Back Canada” initiative, offering Canadians a 20% discount on hotel rooms. “I’m a hotel manager, so, like, not really a politician. Our job is to take care of guests and keep rooms filled year-round, especially in shoulder season, and that’s really the lens I’m looking through,” Bump explains.
Flathead County, where Kalispell is located, voted 65% for donald Trump in the last election, yet stands to feel the economic impact of strained cross-border relations.
Whitefish Mountain Resort experienced its second-busiest season on record last year, but spokesman Chad Sokol notes the tariffs arrived after the resort’s peak weekends. “So our busy periods were already behind us at that point,” he says. Christmas week remains a critical period for the resort, and current holiday bookings appear strong.
Though,explore Whitefish Director Jan Anderson cautions that the drop in canadian business,while currently offset by a surge in domestic tourism and Montana’s population growth,is creating planning challenges. “there’s so much uncertainty - it’s hard to know what’s going to happen,” Anderson says.”The political winds seem to be shifting on an hourly basis.”
