The snowy scenery and winter sport attractions from Canada serve to attract the world . Grab your poles or open ’em up in the frosted canyons of Whistler or put a sore hip in the glacial lanes of Banff and you’ll see that the cold-weather delights of this country aren’t reserved for those blessed with Olympic-class lungs or the resourcefulness of Lilliputians driven to skiing madness, they’re also one of the enduring cultural beacons and ways of life running clean-cut generations.

But there is something else new subversively interlaced into these mountain towns & icy resorts: betting lounges. And even not in the corners at all, out of the way. They’re popping up more, it’s sort of sport, leisure and this digital age form of entertainment.

A New Spin on Après-Ski

Skiing and snowboarding have always gone hand in hand with a lively après ski scene, i.e. cozy lodges, mulled wines, communal fireplaces, tales around fondue.

But in the recent years some Canadian winter sports destinations play a little trick with this post-slope ritual. Betting lounges, which have been spurred by the rising popularity of legalized sports wagering, betting canada, and similar venues are beginning to spring up across the alpine landscape to provide yet another point of engagement for the visitors.

The concept is not as jarring as it may first hear to be. Think of it this way: Having spent hours in the air gliding down powdery slopes or with the burn of a cross-country ski marathon in their legs, some of the guests want time to de-stress, re-calibrate, and perhaps have an opportunity to test their knowledge of the game.

These lounges are also sometimes tastefully designed feature rooms, next to the hot tubs and bars, for the guests to follow hockey scores, bet on curling games, or study live stats of the various ongoing tours of the world.

Beyond the Slopes: Why Betting Lounges Are Catching On

There is something intrinsically communal about both winter sport and betting – but in very different ways. Whether it’s people clumping around to watch a skier land a sick jump, or people gathering to cheer for their team at a hockey rink, people are sharing a moment.

The same occurs in a betting lounge where whoever’s there can trade their predictions, argue about strategies (or actually gut feelings) and celebrate or pops (commiserate) together. Resorts are getting into this crossover appeal.

In other circumstances betting lounges have a bells and whistles approach to region-specific sport culture complete with local team paraphernalia, old-school Canadian eats, even live commentary from local sports figures.

Even some of the most progressive resorts in British Columbia and Quebec have begun incorporating real-time analytics for games in progress across the world, creating a kind of sports café on a global scale in a distinctly Canadian environment.

These lounges are also well regulated with age restrictions and responsible gambling, sign clearly displayed. However, the ambiance is what this isn’t just the betting – it’s the ambiance. Comfortable seating, full HD screens, carefully selected drink menus, and an energy connecting the sphere of sports and amusement. It’s not about making skiers gamble, it’s about offering a place for current gamblers where they can feel comfortable.

The Technology Behind the Trend

A large part of this trend’s growth is driven by technology. Canada’s embrace of mobile and online betting platforms only makes the logistics easier than ever before. Numerous lounges team up with betting apps, where customers can bet on their smartphones and back away from their slope-side dens never having stood in a literal line.

Some resorts have been one step better and bundled up betting options on their own mobile platform. Guests can order room service, arrange equipment rentals and bet all from one interface. It creates a smooth experience akin to all-inclusiveness of which many luxury travelers have become accustomed.

Cultural Reflection or Commercial Infiltration?

It’s so tempting to consider this development in a naked business strategy. After all, winter sports tourism is a brutal business, where resorts are always on the look out for an edge. But there’s also cultural connotation that’s worth noting. Canada is adopting a more refined position toward leisure, one which considers the varying preferences of travelers. Some were there to ski hard and plug out. Other people desire outdoor madness balanced with indoor excitement.

Is it a slippery slope? Possibly. It is important that these betting lounges do not dominate the resort experience or overwhelm the resort’s calling—the natural beauty as well as the finesse—by which it became a resort in the first place. But if well used, they can bring a touch to—not replace—the essence of spending a Canadian winter getaway.

Ultimately

Canadian winter sports destinations opening up betting lounges might at first seem an odd combination. But look a bit deeper, and you then realize that this trend is actually not as much about gambling as it is about fitting in with the changing beat of contemporary travel. Visitors of today’s expect to receive more in their experience. They want variety, customization, and something of a novelty. And if that involves a friendly wager on a hockey game with a swallow of a local IPA on a long day on the slopes, well, it’s part of the adventure to some.