For generations of Montrealers, the annual pilgrimage to Florida has been as predictable as the first snowfall. Each winter, tens of thousands of Quebeckers would pack their cars and head south on Interstate 95, escaping the cold for months of sunshine, golf, and familiar routines in established communities from Fort Lauderdale to Naples. But this decades-old pattern is now experiencing its most significant disruption in recent memory.
Tourism data reveals a sharp decline in Canadian snowbirds heading to Florida. According to Visit Florida, Canadian arrivals to the state dropped by 15% in the third quarter of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024. Multiple indicators suggest that Montreal and Quebec snowbirds are contributing significantly in this broader Canadian trend.
A Wave of Property Sales
Perhaps the most visible sign of changing patterns among Quebec snowbirds is the surge in Florida real estate sales. CBC News reported in early 2025 that Quebeckers were increasingly selling their Florida properties, with real estate agents noting a marked uptick in listings from Canadian owners.
This trend has only intensified in 2025. According to a Royal LePage survey cited by CityNews Montreal, 54% of Canadians who own U.S. real estate are planning to sell within the next 12 months. This represents a dramatic shift from the long-standing pattern of Canadian snowbirds maintaining permanent or semi-permanent properties in Florida for decades, often passing them down through families. It’s not simply about reduced travel frequency. Many snowbirds are fundamentally reassessing their long-term relationship with Florida as a winter destination.
Shifting Destination Preferences
Survey data from Snowbird Advisor provides crucial insight into broader Canadian behavioral shifts that are affecting Quebec travelers. According to the organization’s December 2025 survey, only approximately 70% of Canadian snowbirds plan to spend the current winter in the United States, down from 82% the previous year. This represents a meaningful year-over-year decline in U.S.-focused winter travel plans among Canadian retirees.
The same survey data shows that the number of Canadian snowbirds choosing non-U.S. destinations such as Mexico, the Caribbean, and parts of Europe has nearly doubled compared with the previous winter. For Montrealers, destinations such as Playa del Carmen, Cancún, and Caribbean islands with direct flights from Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport have become increasingly attractive alternatives.
Importantly, the survey confirms that most snowbirds still plan to spend three to six months away from Canada during winter. They’re not abandoning the lifestyle altogether, but are rather becoming more selective and strategic about where they invest their time and money.
Economic Pressures and Currency Concerns
The weakening Canadian dollar is a major factor reshaping travel decisions for Quebec snowbirds. With the exchange rate hovering around 70 cents USD throughout much of 2024 and 2025, the effective cost of a Florida winter has increased substantially. Groceries, restaurant meals, healthcare expenses, and everyday purchases that once seemed affordable now represent a 30% to 40% premium compared with just a few years ago when the loonie traded closer to par. For Quebec retirees living on fixed incomes denominated in Canadian dollars, this currency headwind has forced difficult decisions about whether their Florida snowbird lifestyle is sustainable.
Property insurance premiums in Florida have also surged in recent years. Combined with rising property taxes and maintenance fees, the financial calculus of maintaining a Florida property has shifted unfavorably. For many, selling their U.S. property and using that equity to fund travel elsewhere has become a practical financial strategy rather than an emotional decision.
Political and Procedural Considerations
It’s not only financial concerns that are driving Quebeckers to rethink their annual winter plans. Political tensions and changes to U.S. entry procedures have also influenced travel decisions. New mandatory registration requirements and expanded biometric data collection for longer stays have introduced administrative layers that some Canadian travelers find burdensome or concerning.
Other snowbirds are simply avoiding the U.S. out of principle, offended by the shift in rhetoric stemming from the Trump administration. Instead, they are choosing to travel to countries where Canada maintains stronger diplomatic relationships or where visa and entry requirements have remained stable.
The Cultural Impact
The reduction in Quebec snowbirds represents more than just a tourism statistic. For decades, Quebec retirees have formed the backbone of francophone communities throughout South Florida, particularly in areas such as Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, and Pompano Beach. These communities developed their own cultural infrastructure: French-language church services, Quebec-style restaurants, and social clubs that recreated elements of home in the sunshine.
The wave of property sales documented by Canadian snowbirds suggests that this cultural presence may be diminishing. Local businesses in these areas that have long catered to Quebec clientele are beginning to feel the impact of fewer seasonal residents spending extended periods in their communities.
Demographic Shifts and Changing Travel Logistics
Beyond economics and destination preferences, how Quebec snowbirds travel is also evolving. The traditional multi-day drive from Montreal to Florida—typically spanning two to three days with overnight stops in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the Carolinas—is becoming less appealing, particularly for older travelers.
Many of those who established the pattern of driving to Florida in the 1980s and 1990s are now in their seventies and eighties, and the physical demands of a 2,500-kilometer journey are prompting changes in travel planning. Border delays, which have increased due to enhanced security procedures and mandatory registration requirements for extended U.S. stays, add further complexity to an already lengthy trip.
As a result, more Quebec snowbirds who continue traveling to Florida are choosing to fly and arrange alternative transportation for their vehicles. Direct flights from Montreal to major Florida cities including Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, and Orlando provide a convenient option, while auto haulers and driveaway services like Cross Country Valet afford wealthier snowbirds the opportunity to have their car delivered to their destination without having to do the drive themselves. This shift reflects broader trends toward convenience and flexibility in travel planning as the Baby Boomer population, which makes up a large percentage of the snowbird population, gets older.
Looking Forward
Whether 2025 represents a temporary aberration or a fundamental shift in Quebec’s snowbird culture remains uncertain. However, Florida’s established francophone communities still hold strong appeal for Montreal retirees, and the infrastructure built over decades to serve Quebec snowbirds remains in place. Some long-term visitors will undoubtedly continue their annual migrations, particularly those with deep personal ties or family connections in the state.
What seems clear is that the combination of economic pressures, currency headwinds, demographic changes, and evolving travel preferences is reshaping the traditional pattern of Quebec snowbirds heading to Florida each winter. For Quebec retirees, this evolution represents an opportunity to rethink long-held assumptions and explore new possibilities for spending winter months in comfort and sunshine—whether in Florida, Mexico, the Caribbean, or closer to home.
