In Defense of Our Canadian Snowbirds

Why Palm Springs Thrives When Canada Can Get Here Easily

Palm Springs has always been a city people choose.

And among the most loyal, consistent, and community-invested of those people are Canadian snowbirds.

They are not visitors passing through.
They are seasonal residents, neighbors, business supporters, volunteers, and cultural contributors who have helped shape Palm Springs for decades.

As Palm Springs plans its future, one thing should be clear:
Canada is not peripheral to Palm Springs’ success—it is central to it.

Canadian Snowbirds Are Economic Stabilizers

Canadian snowbirds do something incredibly valuable for a small city: they bring predictable, seasonal demand.

They:

• Rent or own homes long-term

• Support local restaurants, shops, and services

• Use healthcare, wellness, and professional services

• Provide reliable off-season stability for businesses

This kind of residency smooths the boom-and-bust cycle that purely tourist cities struggle with.

Palm Springs doesn’t just survive winter—it thrives because Canadians are here.

They Are Part of the Community, Not Just the Economy

Canadian residents show up in ways that don’t always make headlines:

• Volunteering with nonprofits

• Supporting arts, museums, and cultural institutions

• Participating in civic life and community events

• Building long-term relationships with local businesses

They help Palm Springs feel inhabited, not transactional.

That matters.

Cities that feel alive year-round are stronger, healthier, and more resilient.

Ease of Access Is the Difference Between Choosing and Settling

For Canadian snowbirds, access is everything.

When travel is easy:

• Stays are longer

• Visits are more frequent

• Seasonal residents become semi-permanent

• Investment deepens

When travel is difficult:

• People choose alternatives

• Stays shorten

• Loyalty weakens

Palm Springs competes not just with other U.S. cities—but with Mexico, Arizona, and Florida for winter residency.

Convenience decides the winner.

Why Direct Flights Matter

Direct international flights are not a luxury.
They are infrastructure for belonging.

Nonstop service from Canada:

• Reduces travel fatigue

• Eliminates unnecessary connections

• Makes Palm Springs feel intentionally connected—not incidental

For older travelers, families, and long-term seasonal residents, this is decisive.

The Opportunity: Strengthening Canada–Palm Springs Connectivity

Palm Springs is well positioned to expand direct service with carriers like Air Canada and WestJet.

Expanded service would:

• Reinforce Palm Springs as the desert destination for Canadians

• Increase winter occupancy without overwhelming infrastructure

• Support local jobs in hospitality, healthcare, retail, and transportation

• Deepen cross-border cultural and economic ties

This is not speculative growth—it’s reinforcing an existing relationship.

Why PSP Airport Matters

Palm Springs International Airport already has something rare:
an airport that is easy, humane, and close to daily life.

Upgrading PSP to better support international service:

• Enhances customs and arrivals experience

• Improves passenger flow during peak season

• Signals seriousness to international carriers

• Future-proofs the city’s most important gateway

An airport is not just a transportation facility—it’s a city’s first impression.

Palm Springs’ first impression should reflect its importance.

This Is About Respect, Not Just Revenue

Welcoming Canadian snowbirds isn’t about extracting dollars.

It’s about acknowledging reality:

• They help keep Palm Springs stable

• They choose this city year after year

• They are part of its identity

Making it easier for them to arrive, stay, and return is an act of respect.

A Two-Way Relationship Worth Investing In

Palm Springs offers Canadians:

• Sun

• Safety

• Healthcare access

• Culture and community

• A place that feels like home, not a resort bubble

Canadians offer Palm Springs:

• Stability

• Loyalty

• Investment

• Community continuity

That’s a relationship worth strengthening.

The Bottom Line

If Palm Springs wants to grow intelligently—without losing what makes it special—it should double down on what already works.

Canadian snowbirds are not a side story.
They are part of the city’s backbone.

Improving international access through PSP, including direct service from Canada, is not about chasing growth.

It’s about honoring the people who already help Palm Springs thrive.

Palm Springs works better when Canada can get here easily.

And the future of PSP Airport should reflect that truth.