| Facts and Statistics about Snowmobiling |
|
There are four major manufacturers that build snowmobiles. They are: In 2002, there were 203,153 snowmobiles sold worldwide; 134,082 snowmobiles were sold in the U.S., and 50,719 snowmobiles were sold in Canada. The average suggested retail price of a new snowmobile sold in 2002 was $5,800. The number of Licensed Snowmobile Dealers:
The average age of a snowmobile owner is 42 years old. The average annual household income for snowmobilers is $70,000. The average snowmobiler rides their snowmobile 960 miles per year. The average snowmobiler has 18 years of experience riding. The average snowmobiler spends $4,000 each year on snowmobile-related recreation, tourism and products. 75% of snowmobile owners are married. The average snowmobile family has 0.8 children living in the home with them. 65% of the snowmobilers usually trailer their snowmobiles to go ride. 35% either snowmobile from their primary residence or have a vacation home where they keep and use their snowmobiles. Approximately 80% of snowmobilers use their snowmobile for trail riding and touring in marked and groomed trails. 20% of snowmobilers use their snowmobile for work and ice fishing. Snowmobilers spend on the average 7.2 nights per snowmobile season in a motel/resort room while snowmobiling. Snowmobilers are caring neighbors, they raised over $3 million for charity during the 2001/2002 season. Approximately 17% of all snowmobilers are part of the Senior Circuit - 60 years or older and 37% of all snowmobilers are 50 years or older. There are over 225,000 miles of groomed and marked snowmobile trails in North America that have been developed by volunteer clubs working with local government and private land owners. There are over 3000 snowmobile clubs worldwide, involved in trail grooming and charity fund raising and family activities. There are 40 registered non-profit associations representing snowmobilers in the U.S., Canada and Scandinavia. Snowmobiling is great exercise that brings people outdoors to interact with nature and each other. It is an invigorating sport that is great for stress release and good mental health. Snowmobiling is a great family sport. It is an activity that keeps parents and kids together. Historically individuals who snowmobile at a young age continue to snowmobile with their parents and continue in the sport throughout their lives, sharing great experiences as a family. In many winter regions, snowmobiling is simply the main form of winter outdoor recreation and in some cases the main method of transportation available. The use of snowmobiles in National Parks is controlled, organized and regulated by Federal Law Enforcement. The snowmobiling occurs on roads groomed and marked for snowmobiling, the same roadways used by recreational vehicles, cars, trucks and busses. Snowmobiles are NOT used as off-road vehicles in National Parks such as Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain and Grand Teton. On US National Forest Land, most of the trails used by snowmobiles are on groomed roads used by summer recreationists. There are also secondary and seasonal roads within the forests used by snowmobilers. These roads are groomed and marked by volunteers who work closely with the local US Forest Service staff in maintaining and managing those areas. The International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association has had an active web site for 6 years. The URL is www.snowmobile.org. The manufacturers have always been actively involved in promoting safe riding behavior while snowmobiling. Over one million brochures, decals and hundreds of thousands of posters and safety videos have been distributed free of charge to snowmobile enthusiasts throughout the world. Safety trainers, enforcement officers, Chambers of Commerce and more use safety materials provided by the manufacturers through the Safe Riders! You make snowmobiling safe™ safety campaign. |