North Bay is trending as a winter travel Airbnb hotspot

In its 2024 Winter Travel Report, Airbnb listed North Bay as a trending destination for Canadians as the temperatures drop and the snow begins to fall. (File)

In its 2024 Winter Travel Report, Airbnb listed North Bay as a trending destination for Canadians as the temperatures drop and the snow begins to fall.

The report takes into account international and domestic searches.

"We looked at where people were booking for winter last year compared to where they were booking this year," said Matt McNama, senior communications manager with Airbnb.

"North Bay is trending in the right direction, and (it's) no surprise to me that that's happening."

McNama said Canadians are opting for destinations within their own backyards and embracing the winter season.

"When you look at the overall list, one of the key things that we're finding here is that people are spending more time in the outdoors," he said.

"Five of the 10 destinations that we've included on the list are ski destinations. And North Bay would be considered one of them because of Laurentian Ski Hill."

Also on the list for trending locations for domestic travel was Blue Mountain, Ont.; Trois-Rivières, Que.; Kamloops, B.C.; Edmonton; Orford, Que.; Toronto; Mont-Tremblant, Que.; Vancouver; and, Moncton, N.B.

McNama said the surge in interest in winter destinations could be the result of a lacklustre season in 2023.

Winter destinations

"Last year was a pretty mild winter, and I think maybe Canadians are, looking for something a little bit more exciting this winter," he said.

"One of the key themes was that they're travelling to destinations you wouldn't necessarily expect, like winter destinations. And I think when we're looking at places like North Bay, like Blue Mountain, there's a theme there that says that outdoor destinations are resonating with Canadians, and that's reflected in this list."

Mayor Peter Chirico described the city as a hidden gem and said he wasn’t surprised North Bay made the list.

"We take a look at our winter with Lake Nipissing. With our entire waterfront, the availability for people to access boats, canoes, we have a ski hill within our city," Chirico said.

"It's not unknown to the residents of the city of North Bay. But now people from outside are starting to see all of the availability that we have."

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In an email to CTV News, Tanya Bedard, executive director of Tourism North Bay, said there are ample winter activities for travellers to enjoy.

"Whether you are interested in snowmobiling, snowboarding, fishing or cross-country skiing,” Bedard said.

"Or seeking more leisurely programming such as the signature French Winter Festival (le Carnaval) and Ice Follies, the biennial public art exhibit on frozen Lake Nipissing, North Bay has everything needed to embrace the beauty and excitement of the snowy season."

In addition, she said a new winter market will start in November.

"It was designed by local partners in order to enhance the vibrancy of Downtown North Bay and to support local artisans, restaurants and businesses leading up to the busy holiday season," Bedard said.