Snowmobiling Fact Book us on Facebook at: LIKE www.Facebook.com/GoSnowmobiling www.snowmobile.org www.ccso-ccom.ca www.snowmobilers.org www.snowmobileinfo.org CONTENTS SNOW FACTS Snow Facts Pg 1 There are four major manufacturers that build snowmobiles. They are: Arctic Cat – Headquartered in Snowmobile History Pg 3 Thief River Falls, MN; BRP – Headquartered in Valcourt, Quebec; Polaris Industries – Headquartered in Medina, Defining the Snowmobile Lifestyle Pg 4 MN; and Yamaha Motor Corporation – Headquartered in Ontario, Canada. Economic Impact Pg 5 In 2021 there were 133,444 snowmobiles sold Snowmobile Community Pg 9 worldwide; 59,234 were sold in the U.S. and 50,567 were sold in Canada. Snowmobile Charities Pg 10 There are over 1.3 million registered snowmobiles in the Snowmobiling in Europe and Russia Pg 10 US and over 596,000 registered snowmobiles in Canada. Safety Pg 11 State State # registered # registered /Province Operator Education Pg 12 AK 68,500 SD 10,869 Avalanche Safety Pg 13 CA 18,800 UT 23,500 - Avalanche Guidelines Pg 14 CO 36,900 VT 20,810 Trails Pg 15 ID 44,700 WA 24,519 IL 13,800 WI 240,141 Sound Pg 18 IN 9,800 WY 40,388 Effects of snowmobiling on: IA 21,531 AB 32,665 - Wildlife Pg 21 ME 84,700 BC 41,200 - Environmental Support for snowmobilers Pg 28 - Effects on Snowmelt Pg 31 MA 14,600 MB 36,928 - Effects on People Pg 32 MI 178,109 NB 18,093 - Compaction & Vegetation Pg 33 NF MN 198,881 36,400 ISMA Web Site Information Pg 35 MT 42,000 NS 7,700 NE 910 NT 9,900 Join a Club Pg 35 NH 42,200 NU 13,500 Safe Riders Pledge Pg 36 NY 98,500 ON 151,000 PE Snowmobile Contribution to the Economy Pg 37 ND 9,800 3,043 OH 3,412 QC 222,700 OR 11,775 SA 20,772 PA 34,990 YT 2,200 1 THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF SNOWMOBILING The use of snowmobiles in National Parks is regulated United States: $26 Billion annually by federal Law Enforcement. Snowmobiling occurs on Canada: $9.3 Billion annually roads groomed and marked for snowmobiling, the same Europe & Russia: $ 5 Billion annually roadways used by recreational vehicles, cars, trucks and busses. Snowmobiles are NOT used as off-road Over 100,000 full time jobs are generated by the vehicles in National Parks such as Yellowstone, Rocky snowmobile industry in North America. Those jobs are Mountain and Grand Teton. involved in manufacturing, dealerships and tourism related businesses. On US National Forest Land, most of the trails used by snowmobiles are on groomed roads used by summer The average age of a snowmobiler is 46 years old. recreationists. There are also secondary and seasonal roads within the forests used by snowmobilers. These The average snowmobiler spends $2,000 each year on roads are groomed and marked by volunteers who work snowmobile-related recreation. closely with the local U.S. Forest Service staff in maintaining and managing those areas. 50% of snowmobilers trailer their snowmobiles to ride. 50% snowmobile from their primary residence or have a The manufacturers have always been actively involved vacation home where they keep and use their in promoting safe riding behavior while snowmobiling. snowmobiles. Over one million safety related brochures and decals, and hundreds of thousands of posters and safety DVDs Snowmobilers are caring neighbors, they raised over $3 have been distributed free of charge to snowmobile million for charity annually. enthusiasts throughout the world. Safety trainers, enforcement officers, Chambers of Commerce, etc. use There are 3000+ snowmobile clubs worldwide, involved safety materials provided by the manufacturers through in trail grooming, charity fund raising, & family activities. the Safe Riders! You make snowmobiling safeTM safety campaign. There are over 42 registered non-profit associations representing snowmobilers in the US, Canada, Europe Visit the International Snowmobile Manufacturers and Russia. Association web sites at www.snowmobile.org and www.GoSnowmobiling.org for more information. Snowmobiling is great exercise bringing people outdoors interacting with nature and each other. It is an invigorating sport, great for stress release and good SNOWMOBILE HISTORY mental health. The first attempts at building a vehicle that would move Snowmobiling is a great family lifestyle. It is an activity over snow on runners happened over 70 years ago. keeping parents and kids together. Historically Many dreamed of building a power-driven sled, individuals who snowmobile at a young age continue to especially where heavy snowfalls often meant the snowmobile with their parents throughout their lives, difference between life and death when attempting to sharing great experiences as a family. In many winter transport an ill person to emergency care. regions, snowmobiling is simply the main form of winter outdoor recreation and in some cases the main method In 1935, a snowmobile was built with skis in front and a of transportation available. sprocket wheel and tracked system in back. It carried 12 2 3 people, and family doctors, veterinarians, ambulance spending several nights traveling, shopping, dining and and taxi drivers were first in line to purchase one. A sleeping along the way. However, for overnight trips, modified version found a market in the logging industry. distances traveled normally range between 100 and 150 miles per day. It was late 1950s, with the development of smaller gasoline engines, before the one or two passenger Although primarily a recreational activity, snowmobiling lightweight chassis snowmobile was marketed ~ and also provides many other useful functions. In remote with it, a new recreational activity was born. portion of Canada and the U.S., snowmobiles are some citizens’ primary source of transportation. Snowmobiles Ten years later, there were dozens of manufacturers are relied upon by law enforcement units throughout the producing snowmobiles that sold for a few hundred snowbelt for search and rescue work and emergency dollars a piece. missions. They are use also by surveyors, ranchers, public utility employees, environmental and wildlife Today, with more than 4 million riders, snowmobiling is a scientists and countless others. Ski-touring centers major winter recreational activity and a significant factor across North America utilize snowmobiles for trail in increased winter tourism in much of Canada, the snow grooming and track setting. Snowmobiles are also belt of the United States, in Northern Europe, and in widely used by cross-country ski race officials, dog sled Russia. races, and by ski patrols for rescue purposes. The history of the “snow machine” is yet to be completed. Today’s snowmobile bears little ECONOMIC IMPACT resemblance to earlier models. By today’s standards, many of the machines of the 60’s and 70’s are Snowmobilers in Canada and the United States spend considered antiques. over $35 billion on snowmobiling each year. This includes expenditures on equipment, clothing, accessories, snowmobiling vacations, etc. DEFINING THE SNOWMOBILE LIFESTYLE Snowmobiling is responsible for “spin-off economic The main reason people snowmobile, according to a benefits such as: Montana State University study and research conducted • Jobs for 100,000 people, jobs which enable by Consumer Insights includes: those people to further stimulate the economy To view the scenery. through additional expenditures on goods and To be with friends. services; jobs which provide significant income To get away from usual demands of life. tax revenues to provincial, state and federal To do something with their family. treasuries and dramatically reduce To be close with nature. unemployment and welfare payments. • Millions of dollars in tax revenues derived from 95 % of snowmobilers consider snowmobiling a family snowmobile-related businesses (including but activity. The majority of snowmobile owners are married not limited to: manufacturers, suppliers, and have children. distributors, dealers, resort and hotel facilities, restaurants, service stations, insurance Snowmobiling appeals to people of all ages – from agencies, hardware stores, banks, credit unions, youngsters to senior citizens. On day trips, snowmobiler etc.). typically travel 30 to 75 miles to favorite riding areas or • Millions of dollars in winter tourism spending on favorite trails. There is a growing interest in touring – which support local snow-belt economies. 4 5 • Millions of dollars in local and provincial/state has on the state of Vermont exceeded $600 million sales and gas tax revenues. annually, according to a study by Johnson State College compiled in 2003. Snowmobiling has rejuvenated the economies of many communities and is an important segment of the active Annual expenditures on snowmobiling exceeds $22 outdoor recreation economic engine. million in Nova Scotia, according to a 2005 Economic Assessment report presented to the Nova Scotia Provincial and state travel bureaus actively promote Department of Tourism. snowmobile tourism through snowmobile information guides, trail maps, and the establishment of toll free The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs 2019 numbers with information on snowmobiling opportunities economic impact study showed that direct expenditures and conditions. generated by snowmobiling was around $3.3 billion annually. Iowa State University Department of Economics conducted an Economic Impact Study of snowmobiling Hardwood Resource Economies, in cooperation with the in the state of Iowa in 2010. The study shows that total Pennsylvania State Snowmobile Association conducted economic impact of $123.2 million dollars is realized in an updated economic impact study in 2013 showing the Iowa being generated by the snowmobile community. annual economic impact of snowmobiling of the This economic activity generates a total of 1,101 jobs. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to be approximately $232 million – a 44% increase since the 2000 study. Econometric Research conducted an economic impact study of snowmobiling in Alberta published in 2010. The The Plymouth State University and the New Hampshire report shows that the economic impact of snowmobiling Snowmobile Association conducted a study in 2004 in Alberta is $336.5 million dollars annually.