The following are excerpts from the HeliCat Canada 2020 Annual Report written by Executive Director, Ross Cloutier, and President, Rob Rohn.
See the full report for more details of the COVID-19 impacts on this iconic BC tourism sector.
Executive Summary, Industry wide shut-down
HeliCat’s Executive Director, Ross Cloutier
To say that the 2019-20 ski season has been a roller coaster would be the understatement of the decade. Going from the best helicopter and snowcat skiing season ever, to the worst ever, all within a couple of weeks, was shocking. Completely discombobulating.
At the February 2020 HeliCat Canada Board meeting, COVID-19 was largely affecting cruise ships and we were discussing any parallels the helicat sector might have with them, hypothetically. By the HCC Board meeting in March, the sector was shutting down completely. What a difference a month makes.
Due to the sector-wide shut down in early March, 2019-20 skier days were approximately 30% lower than the year before. Profits disappeared, jobs were lost, and ski lodges were shuttered, but our members rallied. Options for bringing international guests across closed borders were explored; COVID-19 testing regimes were researched; Best Practices for Helicopter and Snowcat Skiing Operations Under COVID-19 guidelines were developed and vetted by government; politicians and public health staff were consulted; and yes, even with a very early industry closure, some sector staff and guests tested positive for the virus.
Impacts on the Industry
Excerpt from HeliCat’s 2020 Annual Report
In March, our priorities shifted almost overnight to focus on the rapidly changing COVID-19 pandemic as we supported our members through these unprecedented times. The sector closed 4-6 weeks early, resulting in the loss of approximately 30% of the season's anticipated revenue. This loss is unrecoverable and accounts for approximately $32-43 million in sales, $49-65 million in provincial output, and 2,800 early layoffs.
It would be extremely difficult to overstate the degree to which COVID-19 has impacted the adventure tourism industry in general, and the helicat sector specifically. While international travellers account for only 30% of tourism in Canada, approximately 90% of helicat tourists are international guests. Although the helicat sector averages approximately 120,000 skier days per year with 40,000 individual skiers, only 10% of these guests are Canadian, with 45% crossing the border from the USA and another 45% coming from all around the world. Without this diverse clientele, the sector could fall to 10-15% of normal sales, in spite of being 100% sold out for the coming season and with waiting lists booked two years into the future. Simply put, this high-yield, low-volume market is completely dependent upon international guests being able to enter Canada. Without this, the impact on the 2020-21 season will be extensive.
Working together in uncertain times
A message from HeliCat’s President, Rob Rohn
Throughout history, major disruptive events have ushered in periods of profound uncertainty. By their nature, they upset generational paradigms and world-views. Comfortable customs and conventions are upended, with no clear vision of what lies ahead. This is scary. With the COVID-19 pandemic, we are living through one of these events. Globally we are trying to decipher what the future holds and how we should adapt to, and manage, the uncertain situation we face.
HeliCat Canada members are experts at managing the risks of mechanized backcountry skiing. However, the risks posed by COVID-19 reach far beyond our area of expertise. The disparate and uncoordinated public health responses, even between Canadian provinces, show that the experts are also struggling to determine which strategies will be effective. We are all trying to figure this out as the situation evolves.
These are times that can bring out the best or the worst in individuals, nations and organizations. I am very proud to see how our sector has rallied our collective energy and expertise to tackle our common challenges and to show a level of leadership disproportionate to our size. The all-hands-on-deck effort to draft our Best Practices for Helicopter and Snowcat Skiing Operations Under COVID-19 guidelines, and our willingness to openly share our hopes and fears, and to brainstorm a path forward, shows how tightly knit and collaborative our community truly is. This is our greatest strength.
I would like to thank Ross, Corrina, the Board of Directors and committee members for the hard work and steady leadership they have shown in navigating the immediate crisis without losing sight of other important issues, such as those surrounding tenure security, wildlife and species at risk, and our relations with First Nations. I hope that you, the members, have found value in the work HeliCat Canada has been doing on your behalf. If you feel we’re missing anything, be sure to let us know!
Disruptive events occur over a span of decades and eventually pass. Some are more localized, some global. Some precipitate cataclysmic change, while others fade as footnotes in the history books. I have no doubt that the helicat sector of western Canada, and this association, will survive the COVID-19 pandemic and thrive well beyond it. Some things will likely look different in the future, and the coming months will test us all. However, the power and timeless magic of the experiences we offer will endure. And when we get to the other side of this, the pent-up demand for the best skiing on the planet and the passion of our guests will position us well for the future. We will get there!
HeliCat’s full 2020 Annual Report is now available online. The Annual Report is a valuable tool for all stakeholders. It provides an overview of our economic impacts, governance, and strategic direction. Please take the time to read and share. Thank you.