Jay, Vermont — It doesn’t take an international relations major to realize that this has probably been the worst week in U.S.-Canadian relations ever.
The collapse of trade talks between the two sides has led to bickering and tariffs. For consumers, this means prices are going up, and skiers will be impacted too. This has made some Canadians question whether they still want to vacation in the United States, which could impact one ski resort in particular.
Perhaps the biggest ski resort affected by this is Jay Peak. It’s so close to the Canadian border that some people’s phones switch over to Canadian cell phone providers while there. With this proximity, a big market for them is Quebec. So when something like this happens, it’s important for them to reach out.
Steve Wright, the resort’s general manager, penned a letter to Canadian guests yesterday. In the blunt letter, Wright explains that he understands their frustrations and that the resort remains open whenever they want to come back down.
Jay Peak Isn’t Panicking
As the letter implies, Jay Peak Resort has faced tough times. The EB-5 receivership saga kept it in limbo for years. Last season also brought struggles, as Canadians were less willing to visit because of threats to their sovereignty. But visitation stayed strong last winter thanks to Americans visiting, with some even ditching their West Coast trips for Eastern adventures. Jay Peak has become known as one of the most snow-sure skiing destinations in North America, and that reputation won’t change.
Ultimately, Canadians should know we’ll welcome them back down south anytime, and they may even end up seeing more Americans check out their great ski resorts this winter. It sure would be nice to escape all the drama for a few days.
Image/Video Credits: Jay Peak Resort, The Road Not Taken Travel
