Costa Rica´s biodiversity brought color to five ski resorts in Canada
The activation was carried out by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) to boost visits from Canadian tourists throughout the year
Costa Rica surprised hundreds of potential Canadian tourists amidst snow-covered landscapes and recalled the warmth and essence of "Pura Vida" with eye-catching tents that evoked the intense nature that characterizes us.
Specifically, this innovative and disruptive promotional action extended from January to March 2026, in a cycle of tours through five ski resorts, through the SkiRON activation tour, an experiential event, carried out in ski resorts located in the Canadian cities of Quebec, Ontario and Alberta, designed to inspire high-income Canadians to discover the natural wealth of Costa Rica.
Visitors found a tent with images of the country's biodiversity, as well as information on wellness and adventure tourism activities, as part of the offering of a sustainable destination like ours.
They could also enjoy Costa Rican hot chocolate while chatting with expert skiers and snowboarders who shared tips and experiences from their time in Costa Rica. The resorts included in this promotional tour were Morin Heights and Mt. St. Sauveur in Quebec; Mt. St. Louis in Ontario; and Lake Louise Banff and Mt. Norquay in Alberta.
“During the activation at Mt. St. Louis in Ontario, we welcomed more than six thousand Canadians, and seeing them surprised by a disruption in the landscape, seeing a green Costa Rican scenery, was very pleasant. We believe that these actions will help maintain sustained growth in this important source market for Costa Rica,” said Adalberto Rodríguez, market coordinator (USA and Canada) at the Costa Rican Tourism Institute.
From the snow to Costa Rica:
With the snowy peaks of Quebec to Alberta as a backdrop, the Costa Rica “pop-up” activation transformed ski days into a travel-inspiring experience, inviting nature lovers to imagine swapping ski boots for hiking boots and snowboards for surfboards.
Between runs, skiers explored the 3D experience “Pathways to Living Life”, accessible via QR codes that, when activated, transported them to a virtual lodge in the treetops of the Costa Rican rainforest, highlighting wellness, adventure and sustainability.
Visitors received promotional items, enjoyed immersive experiences with 3D technology and QR codes, and participated in an exclusive raffle, reinforcing Costa Rica's presence as an aspirational and accessible destination for Canadian travelers.
The SkiRON activation is part of Costa Rica's broader strategy in the Canadian market to increase visits during the green season and expand its reach among travelers interested in nature and sustainability.
They also explored the country's seven tourist regions and experienced activities such as: outdoor yoga facing the Pacific, volcanic hot springs in La Fortuna, whale watching in Uvita, wildlife encounters in Manuel Antonio, Tortuguero and the Osa Peninsula, and sustainable eco-lodges and farm-to-table gastronomic experiences.
The immersive digital platform allowed participants to visualize themselves at the destination and then directly access VisitCostaRica.com to start planning their next vacation.
Canada is our second largest source of travelers. In 2025, 260,347 Canadian tourists visited us by air, and in January of this year, 51,655 travelers arrived. According to preliminary data, the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) will announce next week a significant increase in Canadian air travelers during February 2026.
Source: ICT.