[misterjangles]

The border patrol could care less whether you are a broke student or a rich tourist. They are not interested in how much you plan to spend.

So in that regard I would think you might as well tell them the truth simply because if you get caught in a lie then you would cause grief for yourself of no good reason. But if you are an excellent liar, then go for what're you want!

Basically the border patrol are looking for three things: terrorist, drugs and people who are coming to work illegally.

[DanBC]

When they say "What's the purpose of your visit?", and you say "I'm just here to visit. Hope to spend lots of money." and they see your study books, you've basically left yourself open to hours of detention and questioning?

[misterjangles]

Well if your story doesn't seem to add up then you might find yourself explaining things.

My point is really that there is no advantage to lying about being a student vs a rich tourist because they don't favor one over the other. They're not going to think "oh boy this person is really going to help our economy!"

Now, if you are planning to work illegally or overstay your visa - then you might want to make up a story!

[grecy]

> The border patrol could care less whether you are a broke student or a rich tourist.

Not true at all. I'm Australian and I regularly cross from Canada into the US in my junker car full of snowboarding or camping gear. Every single time the border guards want to see bank statements, proof of employment, etc. etc.

They're convinced I want to stay in the US and leech off the system (which is nonsensical, when I could stay in Canada, which actually has a system)

[jakejake]

Well, if you come through looking like a ski bum with all of your worldly possessions in your back seat then you shouldn't either try to tell the border patrol that you're a wealthy tourist getting ready to kick the US economy into high gear with your lavish spending!

That being said, I'm getting super psyched for ski season and have been wanting to head to Canada this year. Recommend any good places within or near Ontario?

[grecy]

> Recommend any good places near Ontario?

Unfortunately, Ontario is as flat as a pancake.

You really need to come out West, and you can't go wrong. All the resorts in the West are getting dumped on right now, and everyone's loving it. BC is where it's at for Canadian skiiing.

[jakejake]

Ah, well that is good to know - thank you! I have been thinking of heading to Whistler but it's just quite a trek for me to get there (from Chicago). It looks fantastic.

[mahyarm]

You fit the profile of a guy with not enough funds for his stay in the other country. Come over in a nice car, be clean and well dressed and leave the gear in clean non-descript bags and you wont get that much hassle.

But if you have a record of being hassled, the policy seems to keep on harassing you.