Attendance Reaches 16-year High Despite Colossal Challenges For Quebec Ski Resort Operators

The Association of Quebec Ski Resorts unveils the detailed results for the 2022-2023 season. Indeed, the Economic and Financial Study of Quebec ski resorts , led for 35 years now by Michel Archambault, professor emeritus in tourism at the University of Quebec in Montreal and his collaborators, reveals that the industry obtains the best performance traffic over the last 16 years with 6.6 million ski days. This study, produced with the support of the Ministry of Tourism, also highlights a return of customers outside Quebec (21%) and an overall turnover of more than $429 million. 

• Marked increase in resort visits Ski resorts saw their visits increase by 5%, or nearly 600,000 visits more than the average of the last 10 years, a real achievement given the difficulties associated with the start of the last season which suffered the repercussions of the vagaries of the weather (an exceptional mild spell on New Year's Day) and station closures due to power outages which occurred in many stations during the critical holiday season. The worrying start of the season, marked by the hottest month of December in the last 103 years, therefore resulted in a delay in the opening of the season for 60% of resorts, with the consequence of a decline of almost of 22% of attendance at the end of the 2022 holiday period. This difficult period was fortunately made up for at the end of winter by notable increases of 13% during the spring break weeks and of 55% in winter skiing. spring. The exceptional snow conditions at the end of the season allowed 31% of ski resorts to extend their season and thus close after the date they had initially planned.
• Three tourist regions at the top Although the 75 Quebec ski resorts are spread across 16 tourist regions, more than 70% of the ski days and 80% of the business volume are accounted for on the slopes of the Laurentians, the Cantons-de-l' East and Quebec-Charlevoix. The Laurentides region alone reached a peak of nearly 2.2 million ski days, which consolidated its dominant position as a tourist region for skiers.
• Multiple challenges on the radar Several investments have been made in ski resorts, amounting to nearly $70 million last year (+ 27%), of which 56% are made in the group of major resorts. These investments are the result of the leverage effect generated by the investment programs of the Government of Quebec and its Ministry of Tourism, in particular PADAT, EPRTNT and PARIT, without forgetting the financial support from Canada Economic Development for regions of Quebec as part of the Tourism Assistance Fund which enabled the acquisition of grooming equipment. This financial aid allows resorts, a true regional winter economic engine, to adapt to numerous challenges, including climate change, skyrocketing inflation and labor scarcity, in addition to offering mountain experiences. distinctive, safe and accessible.
• Increased operating costs According to Archambault and his team, the financial results of the stations are positive in 2022-23. However, the increase in operating costs and inflationary pressures could have a significant impact on the future performance of the stations, the investment capacity would then be reduced. Michel Archambault emphasizes that significant investments are necessary each year to offer a positive experience to skiers. He also points out that more than 66% of the business volume in Quebec's mountains comes from major resorts located in the three main markets.

The Association of Quebec Ski Resorts, through its president and CEO Mr. Yves Juneau, expressed concern about the financial capacity of the majority of ski resorts. “Considering the challenges to be met and the new technologies available to confront climate change and the labor shortage, ski resorts will have to quickly adapt their business model, among other things by turning to automation, to be able to ensure the sustainability of their business and increase their contribution to their regional living environment, ” added Mr. Juneau.