EBS STAFF
Tourism officials in Montana are feeling the economic impact of a sharp decline in Canadian visitors, particularly from Saskatchewan, a historically reliable source of consistent visitation. New data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, as reported by CBC News, shows 62,000 fewer travelers crossed from Saskatchewan into the U.S. in 2025, equating to a 20% decline in Minot and 16% decline in Big Sky, two of the more popular destinations, according to the communities’ tourism agencies.
“Financially, having the loss of Canadian traffic is massive,” Brad Niva, CEO of Visit Big Sky, told CBC. “In my community, it’s half a million dollars of lost revenue.”
Niva said some Canadian visitors have told tourism officials they plan to delay U.S. travel for several years, citing political concerns and affordability. Niva told CBC that Big Sky has temporarily halted marketing efforts aimed at Canadians and hope conditions improve by 2026.
While Canadian travel south has slowed, Saskatchewan has seen an increase in U.S. visitors, a shifting cross-border tourism pattern that Montana communities like Big Sky are watching closely as they plan for future seasons.
