Greg Girard

WINTER TOURISM: RURAL BC’S LIFELINE
When winter arrives, tourism doesn’t stop in rural BC. For many small towns and rural regions, winter tourism is a lifeline, bringing visitors, activity, and much needed economic energy during a season when many communities could otherwise slow to a crawl.

Simon Rizzardo of the Merritt Snowmobile Club joins the Brothers of Tourism, Greg and Colin Girard, to talk about what it really takes to keep rural winter adventures alive in British Columbia.
Because grooming trails is only part of the story.

Beyond the groomed trails are frozen lakes, mountain passes, forests, viewpoints, and backroads that bring visitors into the heart of rural communities. And behind those experiences are volunteers who maintain the trails, know the country, and help connect visitors with small-town BC.

For communities like Merritt, winter tourism isn’t simply about recreation.

It’s about keeping businesses busy.
Keeping people working.
Keeping visitors coming.
And keeping rural economies moving.

Simon shares the challenges of running a snowmobile club in a small town, the realities of maintaining rural trails and why local clubs are such an important part of BC’s winter tourism story.
Because when the snow arrives, the economic opportunity shouldn’t hibernate.

Join us September 1st, 2026 at 10 AM.

Published on EH Canada Travel Facebook, YouTube and Greg Girard LinkedIn, plus TIABC Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.

New episode published the first of every month.