U.S. ski resorts, and the broader U.S. tourism industry, are indeed bracing for a significant drop in international travel, with data from 2025 showing a decline linked to the political climate, negative rhetoric, stricter policies, and a strong U.S. dollar
This is a typical safety training. They’ll practice how to evacuate people off chairs if there were an emergency. But not much here feels typical. For starters, no one is in boots or on skis. Despite the training happening in late November, there is no snow at the base lodge, and the slopes leading up the mountain are brown, which is adding to the broader anxiety in the resort tourism industry right now.
Key factors and statistics include:
Overall Tourism Decline: The U.S. Travel Association projected that 5 million fewer international visitors would come to the U.S. in 2025. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) reports the U.S. is the only country forecast to see international visitor spending decline in 2025, potentially losing as much as $12.5 billion in revenue.
Political Factors: Tourism market research firm Longwoods International found that many international travelers, particularly Canadians, cite U.S. politics, tariffs, and rhetoric as reasons for canceling their trips. Reports of tourists being arrested at the border and a general “negative global travel sentiment toward the US” have also contributed to the decline.
Economic Factors: A weak Canadian dollar has also made U.S. travel more expensive for Canadians, compounding the political issues. New visa fees and a strong U.S. dollar are also cited as factors.
Specific Market Impact:
Canada: Canadian visitors are the largest group of foreign visitors to the U.S., but cross-border car trips dropped sharply, and air bookings from Canada were pacing as much as 43% below the prior year in late 2025. Spending in resort towns like Whitefish, Montana, has seen a 12% drop in Canadian credit card use in local businesses.
Other Regions: Visitor numbers from Europe (Denmark, Germany, France) and parts of Asia and Africa also saw declines in 2025.
Industry Response: While resorts have seen a challenging start to recent seasons due to weather and low snowfall, the drop in international visitors adds another layer of anxiety. The U.S. ski industry reported its second-highest overall skier visits on record in the 2024-25 season, but this growth was primarily driven by domestic travelers and season pass sales, which masks the specific impact on international tourism
