Economic Impact of the Snowmobiling Industry

Snowmobilers in Canada and the United States spend over $9 billion on their sport each year. This includes expenditures on equipment, clothing, accessories, snowmobiling vacations, etc.

Surveys show that, on average, snowmobilers taking overnight trips (24% of these surveyed) take 3 - 5 trips a year, spending 2 nights per trip away from home.

Beautiful snowmobiling scene of a group of snowmobilers and a mountain vista

Beautiful snowmobiling scene of a group of snowmobilers and a mountain vista

The sport of snowmobiling is responsible for "spin-off" economic benefits such as:

jobs for tens of thousands of people; jobs that enable those people to further stimulate the economy through additional expenditures on goods and services; jobs that provide significant income tax revenues to provincial, state and federal treasuries and dramatically reduce unemployment and welfare payments.
millions of dollars in tax revenues derived from snowmobile-related businesses (including, but not limited to manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, dealers resort and hotel facilities, restaurants, service stations, insurance agencies, hardware stores, etc.).
millions of dollars in winter tourism spending, which support local snowbelt economies.
millions of dollars in local and provincial/state sales and gas tax revenues.

The sport of snowmobiling has rejuvenated the economics of many communities.

Provincial and state travel bureaus are now actively promoting snowmobile tourism through the production of snowmobile information guides and trail maps and the establishment of toll free numbers with information on snowmobiling opportunities and conditions.

The New York State Snowmobile Association, in cooperation with SUNY Potsdam, performed a 1998 economic impact study showing the economic impact of snowmobiling in New York State estimated at $476.2 million.

The Wyoming Recreation Commission, in conjunction with the University of Wyoming, prepared a 1995 report on snowmobiling in the state. After analyzing monies spent on items like equipment, gasoline, service, lodging and food, the study concluded that snowmobiling is responsible for $189.5 million in economic impact and "is extremely important to the economy of the State of Wyoming."

The economic significance that the sport of snowmobilng has on the state of Vermont exceeds $165 million annually, according to a 1995 study by Johnson State College.

The Lebanon Valley College of Pennsylvania in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Snowmobile Association conducted an economic impact study in 1996-97 showing the annual economic impact of snowmobiling of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to be approximately $95.5 million.

The University of New Hampshire and the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association conducted a study that showed the economic impact of snowmobiling in New Hampshire was $367 million. Snowmobilers in New Hampshire paid over $1.1 million dollars in registration fees, $717,000 in gas tax (for snowmobile use alone) and over $1 million in room and meal tax. It is estimated that 4,637 full time jobs are created as a direct result of snowmobiler expenditures.

In 1997 the University of Maine and the Maine Snowmobile Association conducted a study showing the economic impact of snowmobiling in Maine to be $225.9 million.

In 1998, Michigan State University, for the Michigan Department of Parks and Recreation, completed an assessment of snowmobiling impact in the state. That survey showed:

The average snowmobiler in Michigan spent $4,218 annually on snowmobiling activity, equipment and vacationing in the state of Michigan.
With 290,000 snowmobiles registered in the state, more than $1 billion is generated by snowmobiling in the state.
It is estimated that over 6,455 full time jobs are created by snowmobiling in Michigan.

Economic impact reports across North America consistantly show the positive economic significance of snowmobiling.

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