Canadian snowbirds are increasingly spreading their wings. According to a recent survey conducted by Snowbird Advisor, the US is still the top destination by a wide margin for the lucky cohort who can escape a Canadian winter, but interest in international destinations is growing, particularly among newer snowbirds.

The survey, which was conducted among members of Snowbird Advisor, a leading online resource for Canadian travellers, during the first week of November had over 4,500 responses and showed that 86% of survey respondents currently spend their winters in the US, while 14% spend are spending their winters in a variety of international destinations. However, 25% of newer snowbirds said they were interested in exploring international destinations.

Where snowbirds are going

The survey revealed that the top five current destinations for snowbirds as:

1. Florida
2. Arizona
3. California
4. Mexico
5. Texas

Other destinations that attract snowbirds include South Carolina, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Portugal, Spain, Costa Rica, and Panama.

The survey revealed a number of other interesting facts about the habits and interests of Canadian snowbirds:

• Over 70% of respondents spend three months or more away each winter

• 78% go to the same destination every year, while 22% move around to different destinations each year. However, among newer snowbirds the percentage who plan on moving around to different destinations each year jumped to over 37%

• 68% of snowbirds who go to the US drive to their destination, while 32% fly

• For accommodations, 50% own either a house, condo, or manufactured home in their winter destination, 40% either rent or stay in a hotel or resort and 10% own an RV.

• 77% have family and friends come to visit them while they are away during the winter.

• Almost 38% come back to Canada one time during the winter and 12% come home two to three times over the winter.

“The US has always been and continues to be the most popular destination for Canadian snowbirds, but we are seeing a growing trend among snowbirds who choose to spend their winters in other destinations,” concludes Stephen Fine, president and founder of Snowbird Advisor. “This is particularly true among newer snowbirds, who are more likely to consider international destinations and less likely to go to the same destination year after year – at least for the first few years after becoming snowbirds.”