SAM Magazine—Quebec, Canada, June 5, 2023—Quebec’s 75 ski areas saw 6.6 million skier visits during the 2022-23 winter season, and increase of 5 percent over last season, according to the Quebec Ski Areas Association (ASSQ). The result is the best season in 16 years. 

The preliminary numbers are part of the 2022-23 Economic and Financial Study of Quebec Ski Resorts, headed by Michel Archambault, Ph.D, first shared during ASSQ’s annual conference and trade show, held May 29-June 1 at Sommet Saint-Sauveur, which had record attendance of more than 450 people.

“Once winter got off to a good start in early January, skiers took full advantage of it. The fact remains that the sensitive holiday season, which has been in constant decline for several years, poses a challenge for the industry, which must adapt to the global warming observed at the start of the season,” said ASSQ president and CEO Yves Juneau.

By region, skier visits in Chaudière-Appalaches and Outaouais were up 16 percent, while visits in the Laurentides were up 11 percent and up 10 percent in Lanaudière. Overall sales of daily lift tickets were up 14 percent, and nearly 350,000 season passes were sold, setting a record for the third consecutive season. Notably this season the Laurentians exceeded two million visits for the first time.

Visits during school break and spring skiing were up sharply, but visits during the holiday season were down sharply due to adverse conditions, “a concern shared by the entire ski industry who wish to maximize these crucial periods,” said Juneau.