MADISON â New Hampshireâs ski industry could see a return of an estimated 40,000 skiers and riders from Canada if that country and the United States allow the border to fully reopen this winter.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of the border, but with increased vaccinations, Canada announced Monday it would allow fully vaccinated United States residents to visit as of Aug. 9.
While the United States has not announced any plans to allow Canadian citizens to come south as yet, it has the potential to improve tourism in the Granite State this coming winter.
The latest economic development study of the stateâs ski industry, conducted by researchers at Plymouth State University, indicated that about 1.9 percent of all overnight visitors to resorts here came from Canada.
Rosemary O’Hagan skins up Tiehack in the later afternoon in Aspen on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. O’Hagan moved here for the winter season and works remotely. She explained that her husband is a deployed Marine and she moved from California. (Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times)
A skier climbs uphill using the designated route on Tiehack in Aspen on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. (Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times)
Aspen Skiing Co. is trying to learn more about the habits of “uphillers” and whether they would be willing to pay to play in the future.
Skico invited people on its “uphill update” email list last week to fill out a 24-question online survey. Skico asked people which ski areas they visit, how often, at what times and which routes. The email list was compiled at the beginning of this season.