Vermont Ski Resort Denounces Trade War Tensions With Neighbors In Canada: "You Are Our Friends"

As the Trump administration ramps up its new trade war with Canada, Jay Peak, Vermont, known for being the snowiest and one of the best ski resorts on the entire Eastern Seaboard, is reaching out with words of support to their friends across the border.

Jay Peak General Manager Steve Wright, who testified before Congress in 2025 about the catastrophic impacts of Trump’s tariffs on his resort and the local community, has penned an open letter to his Canadian friends and colleagues.

Shared on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, the message is a direct response to Trump’s tariffs and the Canadian public’s growing unwillingness to support American businesses while the trade war ramps up. It’s been included in full, below:

“We don’t like,” Wright writes about how Trump’s tariffs have broken down relations between Americans and Canadians. “The border has always been a line we’ve crossed. It never felt like a line between us.”

Wright noted a steep decline in Canadian visitors, by more than 35%, in his testimony to Congress in June of 2025. Sitting just over the border in Vermont, Jay Peak is typically visited by thousands of Canadians from cities such as Montreal, Quebec City, and Ottawa every day of the ski season. That hasn’t been the case since Trump’s tariffs went into place.

Despite growing tensions, Wright reaffirmed his beliefs on the matter with poignant messaging: “The border may feel different right now. We do not. You are our neighbors. You are our friends. You are part of this place. And you’re always welcome at Jay.”

Wright’s message is being met with admiration and support from Canadians, but some say it’s not enough to bring them back, at least not yet.

“Well said and well written! We miss Jay and all of Vermont and will be back, but not yet!” wrote one commenter. “Vermont to my family always felt like Canada. We spent Christmas and New Year’s at Jay. We even used the hospital in Newport a couple of times! I cannot wait to get back, but for now, we remain committed to Canada! See you soon—hopefully.”

Canada responded to Trump’s trade war with matching tariffs this week. It’s unclear at this time how escalating tensions will affect the ski industry and travel between the neighboring countries.

POWDER extends its love and admiration for our neighbors in Canada. We hope this unnecessary, politically charged trade war debacle ends soon.

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