Winter Tourism Boom in Northern Cape Breton: Region Attracts Visitors in Search of Snow

Tourism operators in northern Cape Breton have been encouraging winter tourism for years. And this winter, they are finally seeing results from their initiatives, with a growing number of visitors coming from outside the island in search of snow.

I would say that every winter for 5 years, […] there are around 200 people who come from outside the island, whereas 5 to 10 years ago, there were not half that number who came here!, indicates Katie Fougere, director of North Highlands Nordic, a cross-country ski facility in Cape North, Nova Scotia.

She attributes this success to the region’s better-known winter tourism offerings and another key factor. We have snow!, she said, recalling that many regions, including that of the capital, had no snow, or very little, last year.

People were really looking forward to stretching their legs and getting out. And they’re willing to go the distance when they know we have over 7 miles of groomed ski trails.

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Skiers enjoyed the snow on the cross-country ski trails at North Highlands Nordic last week.

Photo : North Highlands Nordic/Facebook

In fact, on the opening weekend of the North Highlands Nordic season, Katie Fougere received an early morning call from a couple in New Brunswick inquiring about the snow conditions.

So I was able to give them the trail report, even before putting it online, she says. They jumped in their truck and came straight here!

Kate Wright and her family were convinced to vacation in Cape North thanks to an online posting from Highlands Hostel.

They have a very good presence on social networks, notes the woman from Pleasantville on the south shore of Nova Scotia. You can see all the things to do in the region there. So we decided to come snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and sliding.

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Cape Smokey Ski Center is the first resort to offer gondola service in the Atlantic.

Photo : Facebook/Ski Cape Smokey

Ski Cape Smokey in Ingonish is also a popular destination for off-island visitors. Nearly 80% of its customers come from elsewhere.

Local businesses are adapting and some are extending their seasons to serve snow lovers.

More restaurants

When we started in 2019, there were no restaurants open except ours, says Martin Kejval, director of Ski Cape Smokey.

He explains that the Ingonish region now has 6 restaurants and accommodations with a capacity of approximately 600 beds, open all winter.

A wood-fired pizzeria that opened in South Harbor is reopening this weekend for the winter season.

Our winter tourism is growing. It took a while, but finally, it’s visible, rejoices Katie Fougere.

This allows us to develop our economy throughout the year!

With information from Holly Conners of CBC