Ski resorts voting patterns: a tale of three countries

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U.S.

I don't think much explanation needed; all tourist-oriented ski resorts with significant ski installations/tourist workers etc are strongly Democratic but also gave Nader some of his best showings in 2000. Though I think tourist attractions who are not major resort places in the Rockies vote GOP.

Canada

Mont Tremblant is Quebec's biggest ski resort. It is in the federal riding of Laurentides – Labelle, held by the Bloc with a 20% margin over the Liberals, who won 25 polls in 2008. Yet - all 3 polls covering the touristy spots of Tremblant voted Liberal by large margins. In two of them, the Liberal won over 40% of the vote and in one he won over 50%. Bloc below 30% in all three, Conservatives slightly above average generally.

Mont Saint-Anne is the ski resort closest to Quebec City. It is located in the riding of Montmorency – Charlevoix – Haute-Côte-Nord, a huge Cote Nord riding held by the Bloc with a 21.5% margin over the Tories. The Tories won - by one vote - the poll covering what seems to be the tourist-resort parts of the resort, with the Liberals polling 10% above constituency average.

The Alberta resorts are similar to those in Wyoming/Idaho. Jasper is located in the riding of Yellowhead, held by the Tories with a 59.6% margin over the NDP. Yet, in all 9 polls labelled as 'Jasper' by Elections Canada, the NDP, which polled roughly 13% in the riding, won an average of 34.8% with the Tories second with only 30.3% and 27.5% for the Greens (the Liberals won 7.4%, above their joke result in the riding, but still awful). Tories polled below 40% in all polls, and won because of NDP-Green votesplitting. Not shown on the map, you had a bunch of Tory-Green or Green-NDP ties. Provincially, the riding containing Jasper voted NDP and Liberal sometime in the 80s-90s.

Banff-Lake Louise is located in the riding of Wild Rose, held by the Tories with a 60% margin over the Greens, who outpolled the NDP for a extremely distant second in 2006 and again 2008. The Tories won 73% riding-wide, but topped the polls in Banff with only 35.5% to the Greens' 26.9% and the NDP's 19% (the Liberals won roughly 14%, which might as well be considered an 'excellent result' for them in the context of rural Alberta). Some mix of strategic voting differentials between both Jasper and Banff might explain why the former is NDP and the latter more Green.

I'm too lazy to work out numbers for Whistler, but there were a bunch of Green-Tory ties, 2 Green wins, 4 sub-40% Tory wins, and roughly 9-10 Liberal wins. Though the incumbent MP in West Vancouver–Sunshine Coast–Sea to Sky Country, elected in '06 as a Liberal, was running for re-election as a Green, the Liberals were the largest non-Tory party with 26.6% riding-wide against 14.4% each for the NDP and the Greens. Whistler, though, is far more Green-friendly than 2008 might indicate; provincially West Vancouver-Sea to Sky was the Green Party's best with 23.3% (Liberals won 53.6%) and it elected some kind of Green mayor.

France

Portes du Soleil in Haute-Savoie is the largest resort in the Alps, comprising 8 French communes - all voted UMP even in 2010 (ftr, 2010 was one of the UMP's worst performances in its short history and a low for the right). Most gave the UMP well over 50% of the vote in a three-way runoff, the highest being 70.5% in Châtel and the lowest 45% in Saint-Jean-d'Aulps. In 2007, all gave Sarkozy over 60% of the vote in the runoff and over 70% in most.

Saint-Bon-Tarentaise, which contains the exclusive Aspen-like Courchevel resort, gave the right 61% in 2010 and 79.3% to Sarkozy in the 2007 runoff. Adjacent communes also dependent on skiing all voted heavily for the right in 2010 and 2007.

Other big name towns with big name resorts for the right in 2010/2007: La Clusaz (75.7/84.8), Megève (70.5/85.7), Val-d'Isère (69.8/79.6), Le Grand-Bornand (69.3 - despite the presence of the town's mayor on top spot on the left's list/83.5), L'Alpe d'Huez (60.2/74), Macôt-La Plagne (52.3 - an old mining village!/67.9), Isola (49.2/70.4).

Chamonix-Mont Blanc voted 66.6% for Sarkozy and 54.6% for the UMP in 2010 (runoff).

Greens have always done poorly in these areas. I don't know them in and out, but the stereotype is that they're filled with filthy rich old folks, a demographic much at odds with Greens. They did do well in bigger resorts like Chamonix-Mont Blanc (29.8% in 2009) and Bourg-Saint-Maurice (26%) which probably has more young wealthy folks of the type you're more likely to find in the US (correct me if I'm wrong, but I think people in Aspen/Blaine Co/Colorado resorts are younger and not as much old retirees).

Resorts in the  Pyrénées are much smaller, I think few people actually live there and all. Gavarnie is a biggish one - 73% for Sarkozy in 2007, Cauterets as well is biggish - 63%.

[Tender Branson]

Here´s a political breakdown of Austria`s biggest ski resorts:

Sölden (Tyrol)

2010 President: Fischer (SPÖ) 85.7%, Rosenkranz (FPÖ) 8.4%, Gehring (CPÖ) 5.9%
2008 Parliament: ÖVP 52.2%, FPÖ 12.8%, BZÖ 12.3%, FRITZ 10.9%, SPÖ 4.9%, Greens 4.7%
2006 Parliament: ÖVP 70.7%, SPÖ 7.0%, Greens 6.8%, BZÖ 5.7%, FPÖ 5.1%

Saalbach Hinterglemm (Salzburg)

2010 President: Fischer (SPÖ) 75.5%, Rosenkranz (FPÖ) 20.5%, Gehring (CPÖ) 4.0%
2008 Parliament: ÖVP 44.1%, FPÖ 19.2%, SPÖ 16.6%, BZÖ 11.6%, Greens 5.3%
2006 Parliament: ÖVP 59.2%, SPÖ 18.8%, FPÖ 9.6%, Greens 4.8%, BZÖ 3.1%

Ischgl (Tyrol)

2010 President: Fischer (SPÖ) 88.4%, Gehring (CPÖ) 6.8%, Rosenkranz (FPÖ) 4.8%
2008 Parliament: ÖVP 54.8%, BZÖ 13.6%, FPÖ 11.8%, SPÖ 7.3%, FRITZ 5.8%, Greens 2.5%
2006 Parliament: ÖVP 80.6%, SPÖ 6.6%, FPÖ 4.0%, Greens 3.2%, BZÖ 2.0%

Sankt Anton am Arlberg (Tyrol)

2010 President: Fischer (SPÖ) 88.4%, Gehring (CPÖ) 5.9%, Rosenkranz (FPÖ) 5.7%
2008 Parliament: ÖVP 46.2%, Greens 10.5%, FPÖ 10.4%, BZÖ 10.2%, FRITZ 10.0%, SPÖ 9.3%
2006 Parliament: ÖVP 60.4%, SPÖ 13.0%, Greens 11.2%, FPÖ 5.9%, BZÖ 2.7%

Lech am Arlberg (Vorarlberg)

2010 President: Fischer (SPÖ) 88.0%, Gehring (CPÖ) 6.4%, Rosenkranz (FPÖ) 5.6%
2008 Parliament: ÖVP 61.7%, BZÖ 9.7%, Greens 9.5%, FPÖ 7.8%, SPÖ 5.7%, FRITZ 2.9%
2006 Parliament: ÖVP 76.3%, Greens 8.5%, SPÖ 6.4%, FPÖ 2.9%, BZÖ 1.4%

[Ban my account ffs!]

Tender.. what is the CPÖ?  I'm guessing it's a new party.

It's interesting that the ski resorts are majority conservative there with a steady Green fringe.. but I'm most surprised at how poorly the social democrats do.

[Hash]

Tender.. what is the CPÖ?  I'm guessing it's a new party.

Christian fundies.

[nclib]

U.S.

Though I think tourist attractions who are not major resort places in the Rockies vote GOP.

Please give examples for this category.

[Hash]

U.S.

Though I think tourist attractions who are not major resort places in the Rockies vote GOP.

Please give examples for this category.

Kalispell, MT.

[cinyc]

U.S.

Though I think tourist attractions who are not major resort places in the Rockies vote GOP.

Please give examples for this category.

Kalispell, MT.

I guess this depends on how you defined resort places.  Kalispell is the gateway to Glacier National Park and resorty in the summer.  But there's also a ski resort called Whitefish in nearby Whitefish, MT which is in the same county (Flathead).  How major that resort is is in the eye of the beholder, I guess.

[Cubby]

U.S.
I don't think much explanation needed; all tourist-oriented ski resorts with significant ski installations/tourist workers etc are strongly Democratic but also gave Nader some of his best showings in 2000. Though I think tourist attractions who are not major resort places in the Rockies vote GOP. 

I've said it before (2004 to be exact) and I'll say it again. Thank God for Blaine and Teton Counties.

U.S.

Though I think tourist attractions who are not major resort places in the Rockies vote GOP.

Please give examples for this category.

-Southern Utah (all the counties in and around Zion, Arches, Grand Staircase National Parks)
-Douglas & Klamath Counties in Oregon  (Crater Lake National Park)
-Extreme northern and northeastern California (excluding Humboldt County) (Numerous Parks and Recreation Areas)

[Tender Branson]

Top 6-10 in Austria:

Mayrhofen im Zillertal (Tyrol)

2010 President: Fischer (SPÖ) 81.4%, Rosenkranz (FPÖ) 13.2%, Gehring (CPÖ) 5.4%
2008 Parliament: ÖVP 39.0%, SPÖ 14.4%, FPÖ 12.7%, BZÖ 11.7%, Greens 9.9%, FRITZ 9.8%
2006 Parliament: ÖVP 55.4%, SPÖ 16.3%, Greens 14.0%, FPÖ 7.2%, BZÖ 2.8%

Mittelberg (Vorarlberg)

2010 President: Fischer (SPÖ) 80.7%, Gehring (CPÖ) 10.0%, Rosenkranz (FPÖ) 9.3%
2008 Parliament: ÖVP 41.8%, FPÖ 20.7%, Greens 14.9%, BZÖ 13.4%, SPÖ 5.2%
2006 Parliament: ÖVP 55.0%, FPÖ 22.6%, Greens 11.8%, SPÖ 5.6%, BZÖ 1.6%

Neustift im Stubaital (Tyrol)

2010 President: Fischer (SPÖ) 78.2%, Rosenkranz (FPÖ) 13.8%, Gehring (CPÖ) 8.1%
2008 Parliament: ÖVP 35.5%, FPÖ 19.7%, FRITZ 14.0%, SPÖ 10.6%, BZÖ 10.4%, Greens 6.6%
2006 Parliament: ÖVP 53.5%, SPÖ 15.1%, FPÖ 12.6%, Greens 7.9%, BZÖ 4.3%

Zell am See (Salzburg)

2010 President: Fischer (SPÖ) 78.8%, Rosenkranz (FPÖ) 17.0%, Gehring (CPÖ) 4.2%
2008 Parliament: SPÖ 31.9%, ÖVP 23.9%, FPÖ 17.2%, BZÖ 14.5%, Greens 8.2%
2006 Parliament: SPÖ 38.0%, ÖVP 33.4%, FPÖ 11.6%, Greens 8.9%, BZÖ 2.9%

Serfaus (Tyrol)

2010 President: Fischer (SPÖ) 87.1%, Gehring (CPÖ) 7.0%, Rosenkranz (FPÖ) 6.0%
2008 Parliament: ÖVP 58.1%, Greens 10.9%, BZÖ 8.9%, SPÖ 8.5%, FPÖ 6.4%, FRITZ 4.4%
2006 Parliament: ÖVP 73.0%, SPÖ 10.0%, Greens 8.8%, FPÖ 4.8%, BZÖ 1.6%

[Tender Branson]

Top 11-15 in Austria:

Flachau (Salzburg)

2010 President: Fischer (SPÖ) 75.7%, Rosenkranz (FPÖ) 15.2%, Gehring (CPÖ) 9.1%
2008 Parliament: ÖVP 42.2%, FPÖ 18.3%, SPÖ 16.8%, BZÖ 14.9%, Greens 4.2%
2006 Parliament: ÖVP 55.4%, SPÖ 18.6%, FPÖ 12.2%, Greens 6.2%, BZÖ 3.6%

Bad Gastein (Salzburg)

2010 President: Fischer (SPÖ) 70.7%, Rosenkranz (FPÖ) 23.7%, Gehring (CPÖ) 5.6%
2008 Parliament: SPÖ 34.4%, FPÖ 21.3%, ÖVP 18.9%, BZÖ 17.6%, Greens 4.7%
2006 Parliament: SPÖ 41.5%, ÖVP 31.4%, FPÖ 13.3%, Greens 6.0%, BZÖ 3.4%

Tux (Tyrol)

2010 President: Fischer (SPÖ) 80.9%, Rosenkranz (FPÖ) 10.0%, Gehring (CPÖ) 9.0%
2008 Parliament: ÖVP 47.5%, SPÖ 14.5%, FPÖ 11.7%, FRITZ 9.8%, BZÖ 9.4%, Greens 3.9%
2006 Parliament: ÖVP 67.0%, SPÖ 17.4%, FPÖ 5.0%, Greens 3.5%, BZÖ 2.5%

Bad Hofgastein (Salzburg)

2010 President: Fischer (SPÖ) 78.3%, Rosenkranz (FPÖ) 16.0%, Gehring (CPÖ) 5.6%
2008 Parliament: SPÖ 31.9%, ÖVP 25.0%, FPÖ 19.3%, BZÖ 14.5%, Greens 5.7%
2006 Parliament: SPÖ 36.9%, ÖVP 35.8%, FPÖ 14.4%, Greens 5.7%, BZÖ 3.2%

Fiss (Tyrol)

2010 President: Fischer (SPÖ) 81.2%, Gehring (CPÖ) 13.1%, Rosenkranz (FPÖ) 5.7%
2008 Parliament: ÖVP 70.3%, FPÖ 8.5%, BZÖ 5.7%, FRITZ 5.1%, Greens 5.1%, SPÖ 2.5%
2006 Parliament: ÖVP 80.7%, Greens 5.7%, SPÖ 4.9%, FPÖ 2.8%, BZÖ 1.7%

[Hatman 🍁]

I think Jasper is more NDP friendly because its closer to Edmonton, (where the NDP is strong for Alberta, and the Greens weak), while Banff is more Green friendly for the opposite reason.

And Whistler's results are kind of weird. I spent two months there in the winter, but I dont think I met any locals (it's full of Aussies and Kiwis, but they dont count). I can tell you, the locals are quite rich. The town seems very yuppie, but that might just be for the tourists.