Over the last few years, Ontario resort owners have found that they can no longer count on the abundant snowfalls of the past that attracted a steady stream of vacationers and guaranteed resorts a long and profitable winter season. The current trend in Ontario's weather of milder winter-time temperatures and reduced snowfall could prove disastrous for Ontario's resort industry. However this year, Ontario's tourism industry remains hopeful that the Farmer's Almanac is accurate in its prediction of a colder winter with more snowfall, which will bring about an increase in this winter's revenue.

The winter of 2006/2007, which the record keepers say was the mildest winter ever, wreaked havoc on Ontario's tourism industry. The unusually mild temperatures and lack of snow adversely affected traditional winter outdoor activities such as snowmobling, cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, and ice fishing. Some Ontario resort areas were hit so hard by the mild weather that some tourist and winter-based industries were forced to shut down and lay-off employees. In particular, Ontario's largest ski resort, Blue Mountain in Collingwood, was forced to lay off some 1,300 workers when it shut down for the first time in its 65-year history due to lack of snow. Additionally, they reported that over the usually booming Christmas holiday, week room occupancy rates dropped a staggering 40% from the same period last year. If trends like this continue, the Ontario resort and tourism industry may be negatively affected for years to come, resulting in huge profit losses--potentially forcing some of the resorts to close permanently.

Fortunately for Ontario's tourism industry, all reports indicate a colder and snowier winter season ahead. According to the Farmer's Almanac, the winter of 2007/2008 will be "a colder than normal winter with a greater average complement of precipitation."

Due to its geographic location, the Haliburton Highlands, a popular resort region located two and a half hours northeast of Toronto, has always experienced winter temperatures that average a few degrees cooler than other Ontario resort areas. Over the past several years, when tourist regions such as Muskoka and Collingwood had little or no snow, Haliburton had an ample supply. At times, Haliburton was the only place in central Ontario - including the North Bay region - that had appreciable amounts of snow. While some Ontario resort areas have been affected more than others by the rise in winter temperatures, many resorts still cater heavily to vacationers seeking outdoor recreational activities that rely on heavy snowfall, and as a result remain apprehensive but hopeful that this year's increase in precipitation will bring about more tourists and an increase in revenue for the winter months.    

Haliburton resort owner Craig Esson, of Little Hawk Resort & Marina (http://www.littlehawk.ca) claims that he has not as yet become overly concerned with rising winter temperatures affecting his resort's very busy winter business.

"Little Hawk Resort is located directly on one of Haliburton County's many groomed snowmobile trails. We have guests from all over the province and the northern states come up to Haliburton because they know that Haliburton has great trails and that we usually have sufficient snow. We also have guests at Little Hawk Resort who book their vacation with us to take advantage of our attractive cross-country, dog sledding, and ice fishing attractions. Even if we didn't have snow, we would still have guests who would book a winter-getaway at the resort. They would come because the scenery is spectacular, with or without snow," says Esson.

Unfortunately, not all Ontario resort owners have a location with beautiful scenery year-round and as a result, some have lost the confidence in a snowy winter season that is filled with tourists. Nevertheless, many of Ontario's resort owners hold out hope that this year's predicted increase in snowfall will make up for the lack of tourism last winter.                                            

Fortunately for Ontario's tourism industry, all reports indicate a colder and snowier winter season ahead. This is great news for Ontario's many winter resort and tourist operators who have, over the past few years, seen their businesses suffer from lack of snow and higher temperatures. However, one good winter may only be a reprieve for many in Ontario's resort industry that rely on revenues derived from a good winter season. For Ontario tourist operators who are not fortunate enough to be located in areas that experience temperatures cold enough to sustain winter based activities, they will have to reassess their businesses and look for other ways of attracting winter tourists if this and upcoming winters are not able to sustain the substantial snowfalls that attract winter vacationers.

Little Hawk Resort & Marina is a Haliburton, Ontario four seasons resort set on five scenic acres on beautiful Little Hawk Lake. The brand new Inn boasts self-contained suites, a pub style restaurant, and eight newly renovated self-catering cottages. For more information or to book your next cottage resort vacation, please visit http://www.littlehawk.ca or call Craig Esson at 1-888-545-4295.