As the first snowfall approaches, Whistler’s tourism industry kicks into high gear, and behind the scenes, businesses are busy fine-tuning their marketing strategies to get ready for the bustling winter season. While many visitors are daydreaming about powder-filled runs and cozy lodge stays, local businesses are focused on making sure they’ll be top of mind when those dreams turn into bookings.
So, what does it really take to prepare a Whistler business for winter guests from a marketing perspective? Let’s pull back the curtain and take a look.
Refreshing Marketing Materials
Switch out the summer colours for the crisp coolness of winter.
Winter tourism is big business in Whistler. To attract new and returning guests, companies refresh their marketing strategies and materials. From booking ski lessons to promoting cozy winter accommodations, the right digital strategy can make or break a season.
From stunning shots of freshly groomed trails to festive vibes in the village, winter marketing is all about showcasing Whistler’s magic in a way that resonates with potential visitors. But this process isn’t just about slapping on some snowflakes—it’s about telling a story that compels people to choose Whistler as their ultimate winter destination.
Whether it’s updating their website with seasonal imagery, launching a winter-themed social media campaign, or tweaking ad creatives to capture the snowy excitement, marketing teams work around the clock to refresh their visuals and messaging.
Enhancing your Digital Presence
Use marketing language that inspires urgency and excitement.
Businesses take this time to push early-bird deals, set up seasonal campaigns, and optimize SEO for winter vacation keywords. Ensuring high visibility during this peak season is crucial, as competition is fierce.
With the bulk of travelers planning their trips online, having a strong digital presence is crucial. Businesses in Whistler often take this time to perform an audit of their website and social channels, ensuring they’re optimized for search engines and ready to convert browsers into bookers. From boosting SEO with winter-specific keywords to ensuring seamless mobile navigation, these businesses are making sure their digital storefront is just as polished as their real one.
At Cloud9 Marketing, we help businesses revamp their websites, social media campaigns, and PPC ads to highlight winter-specific services and offers.
Social Media Strategy Overhaul
Find opportunities everywhere to engage with your audience.
Winter in Whistler brings endless opportunities for content creation, and businesses are eager to harness the power of social media to engage their audience. Whether it’s planning out an Instagram feed full of snowy landscapes or curating user-generated content that showcases real guests’ winter adventures, every detail of the social media strategy is thoughtfully planned.
Influencer partnerships, live videos, and interactive content like polls or countdowns keep potential guests excited and engaged in the lead-up to their visit. This is where the magic happens—businesses work hard to craft stories that connect with their audience and get them dreaming about their winter getaway.
Collaborations & Partnerships
Create a sense of community and convenience for your guests.
Winter in Whistler isn’t just about individual businesses; it’s about the community coming together to provide a complete experience. Many tourism companies collaborate with local businesses to create unique winter packages, combining accommodation, ski rentals, and dining experiences.
Cloud9 Marketing often steps in to help facilitate these partnerships, ensuring businesses have the marketing support they need to cross-promote services and maximize their visibility.
Precautions for the Unexpected
Be prepared to shift attention towards other aspects of the winter holidays.
If there’s one thing Whistler businesses know, it’s that winter can be unpredictable. A late winter resulting in no new snow, a lack of reservations due to uncertain weather, or sudden surges in bookings due to a surprise snowstorm are just a few of the potential challenges. That’s why businesses should always have a Plan B (and C).
Whistler businesses rely heavily on the snow during winter to attract guests, but sometimes Jack Frost doesn’t deliver on time. That’s where a flexible marketing strategy comes into play. Activity companies like Canadian Wilderness Adventures prepare for changing conditions by constantly monitoring weather and trail conditions to adjust their offerings accordingly. By monitoring weather patterns closely, businesses can adapt their messaging to focus on alternative winter activities or promote early-bird deals for when the snow finally arrives.
At Cloud9 Marketing, we help our clients pivot quickly, shifting campaigns to highlight off-slope experiences like cozy dining, spa getaways, or scenic winter hikes, ensuring guest interest stays high, even when the snow is running a little late. Adaptability is key, and we make sure your marketing doesn’t miss a beat, no matter the weather.
Impactful Internal Marketing
Emphasize care and commitment to your staff and seek those who value memorable guest experiences.
With winter bringing an influx of tourists, businesses need to scale up their workforce. Hiring seasonal staff is essential for the busy months ahead, and training these new hires takes careful planning. Local restaurants, hotels, and activity companies onboard temporary workers, giving them thorough training in guest service, safety protocols, and winter activity operations.
Internal marketing plays a huge role in getting the whole team aligned and ready for the season ahead. Staff need to be just as informed and excited about the winter campaigns as the customers they’ll be serving. Businesses hold internal briefings, share brand updates, and make sure everyone is on the same page when it comes to delivering the perfect guest experience.
For some, it means team-building exercises or sneak previews of upcoming promotions. For others, it’s in-depth training on new digital tools or platforms that will help streamline marketing efforts and boost guest satisfaction.
At Cloud9 Marketing, we’ve noticed many businesses using social media to promote job openings, leveraging targeted ads to attract talent from across the region, even internationally. Ensuring a smooth hiring process now translates to a better guest experience once winter hits.
Preparing for Guest Feedback
Be open-minded and willing to evolve.
In a competitive market like Whistler’s, the guest experience can be the deciding factor for repeat business. Companies take time to ensure every touchpoint—from booking to check-out—is seamless and personalized. Special touches, like holiday-themed welcome packages, hot chocolate stations, or ski concierge services, go a long way in creating memorable winter experiences.
While many people think marketing stops at the point of sale, that’s far from true. Smart businesses understand that feedback from guests is gold when it comes to future marketing efforts. Leading into the winter season, Whistler businesses gear up their online review strategies, ensuring they’re ready to respond to feedback quickly and authentically. It’s about staying agile and being proactive, so they can turn positive experiences into glowing reviews that will help drive future bookings.
At Cloud9 Marketing, we work with businesses to refine their customer journey through digital channels, ensuring that their online presence mirrors the level of service they provide in person.
As winter approaches, Whistler businesses are busy behind the scenes, perfecting every aspect of their marketing strategies. They’re refreshing seasonal content, aligning internal teams, boosting their digital presence, and preparing for engaging social media takeovers—all to create an experience that captivates and converts. With a focus on impactful marketing and attention to guest feedback, they’re set to welcome the winter crowds when the snow arrives. If you’re aiming to elevate your winter marketing, Cloud9 Marketing is here to help your business stand out. From crafting a dynamic social media strategy to optimizing your website for winter traffic and building impactful internal campaigns, our expertise ensures your business is ready for the season. Let’s work together to make sure your business tops everyone’s winter getaway list!
