Tourism booms in Simcoe County as winter conditions draw crowds

Local tourism is cashing in on staycations and the low dollar.

Simcoe County’s winter tourism industry is reporting one of the best seasons in recent years, with a surge in visitors.

Epic snowfall and consistently cold temperatures created ideal conditions for outdoor enthusiasts, and with March Break approaching, ski resorts are gearing up for big crowds.

“Bookings are very strong and the weather is looking great,” said Jonathan Reid with Horseshoe Valley Resort. “It looks like it’s going to be beautiful sunshine and tons of snow.”

That combination is bringing in plenty of people, and while the majority of visitors to Horseshoe are from Ontario, some American travelers are making the trip north as well. And for those staying close to home, the savings are noticeable.

“The lower Canadian dollar combined with the sort of growing preference for staycations has encouraged more domestic travelers to explore Ontario resorts,” said Kerri King, executive director of Resorts of Ontario. “They really want to be close to home.”

The favourable exchange rate has also been a boost for the ice fishing industry on Lake Simcoe, where operators are seeing an increase in visitors from south of the border.

“(I would maybe call it 20 per cent, something like that,” said Luke Ledlie with Fish Simcoe Hardwater Outfitters. “We are famous for perch - our big perch, our large numbers of perch. And also I think the dollar, with it being the way it is, it definitely goes a long way for them out here.”

Resorts of Ontario says many of its members have seen a sharp increase in visits this winter, crediting the return of traditional Canadian winters for the boom. With strong bookings heading into the crucial March Break period, the local tourism industry is poised to ride this momentum into the spring.