Coworking Whistler wants to know how you’re feeling about the local economy—and they’re offering more than $2,500 in prizes to hear about it.
The shared office space in Village Square has launched a new economic sentiment survey aimed at business owners, employees, and independent professionals across Whistler and the Sea to Sky corridor. The goal: better understand how people are navigating economic uncertainty, what support they need, and where opportunities for collaboration may exist.
“Basically, what we’re wanting to try to identify here is some of the potential opportunities and challenges that Whistler might see,” said Will Stewart, co-owner of Coworking Whistler. “How are people starting to plan for or mitigate these? Hopefully we’ll be able to see some themes that spark community discussion or even open areas of collaboration.”
The survey takes five to 10 minutes to complete and runs through June 30. It’s open to anyone who works in Whistler or the surrounding region—whether in tourism, tech, trades, hospitality or remote work.
Economic uncertainty looms over resort town
The survey launches at a time when storm clouds are gathering on the economic horizon. The U.S. administration’s stance on trade, combined with volatility in exchange rates, has some economists forecasting a potential recession later this year.
“We’re already seeing a number of indicators that a recession may happen as early as the second half of this year in Canada and the USA,” Stewart said. “At a consumer level: volatility in exchange rates, rising inflation, and people’s ability to afford travel are becoming common themes across our major visitor markets as well as at home.”
The potential for economic hardship in Whistler was discussed by the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) chief financial officer Carlee Price as early as March 25. During a report on its fourth quarter financials, Price urged the RMOW to “be prepared for and mindful” of the outcome of tariffs.
With more than 75 per cent of Canada’s exports going to the United States, Whistler’s economic ties to the south are particularly strong.
Barrett Fisher, president and CEO of Tourism Whistler, told Pique many U.S. visitors are loyal, returning customers and there is potential for Canadians who are turning away from U.S. travel to choose destinations in our own backyard.
“Anecdotally, what we’re hearing is our U.S. visitors are still loyal; Washington state, visitors from the West Coast are holding strong. Our conference business is looking decent, and because we can see cross-border statistics that fewer Canadians travel to the U.S, we’re seeing domestic market increase, as are other Canadian destinations with Canadians staying closer to home,” she said.
Data from Statistics Canada shows the number of Canadians returning home after visiting the U.S. by car dropped by 35.2 per cent year-over-year in April, and was 45.1-per-cent lower than pre-pandemic travel from April 2019.
Further complicating matters is the town's reliance on Vail Resorts, the Colorado-based company that owns Whistler Blackcomb.
“Vail’s ownership of Whistler Blackcomb and the industry’s season-pass business model now plays a major factor in mountain-related tourism in Whistler and throughout North America,” Stewart said. “The sustainability of many small businesses, along with their employees here, is increasingly linked to Vail’s global business decisions and returning maximum value to shareholders from its asset portfolio.”
Vail Resorts’ total skier visitations for North America declined by three per cent in 2024-25.
The number of Epic Pass products sold for the upcoming 2025-26 ski season decreased by approximately one per cent through May 27, compared to the same time last year. Sales dollars, however, rose two per cent—largely due to another round of price hikes.
“Strong early bird Epic Pass sales for the coming winter could help protect Whistler during any economic downturn,” Stewart said. “However, another seasonal decline in sales, combined with Vail’s extremely high in-season lift ticket pricing, likely favours independent resorts and more affordable destination options.”
Survey details and prizes
The survey explores a range of themes, including:
- Business and employment sentiment;
- Impacts of changing tourism patterns;
- Opportunities for local development and collaboration;
- Community-led economic initiatives.
Participants will be entered in a prize draw featuring more than $2,500 in donated rewards, including:
- One DISC Workshop for team cohesion, led by Sam Roberts ($1,500 value);
- Four one-week desk memberships at Coworking Whistler ($225 each);
- Four copies of Paul Millerd’s bestselling book Good Work: Reclaiming Your Inner Ambition.
Survey results will be compiled into a public report in July, and participants can opt in for potential one-on-one conversations with other community members or groups.
“Strengthening your community in times of uncertainty is incredibly important,” Stewart said. “We hope this becomes a catalyst for new conversations—and even new partnerships—that help Whistler thrive, regardless of what the global economy throws our way.”
To take part or learn more, visit coworkingwhistler.com.
