Facts and Statistics about Snowmobiling
Did you know that snowmobiles are a  Canadian Invention??
Snowmobiling has been both a "way of life" and a winter sport for many Canadians since Joseph-Armand Bombardier invented the first "snow machine". In 1922, when he was only 15, his father gave him an old Model "T" Ford. Bombardier removed the motor and attached it to the framework of a typical four-passenger sleigh — the usual mode of transportation for French-Canadian families during Quebec’s severe winters. He installed a huge wooden aeroplane propeller on the drive shaft behind the transmission. Then, using four sleigh runners to glide across the snow, he drove this “strange mechanical animal” through the main street of his hometown village.
By 1935 J.-Armand Bombardier had designed and built a rubber-cushioned, sprocket wheel-track system that made possible full-scale production of multi passenger snow vehicles. By 1937 he had introduced his principle of steering by skis in front of a tracked drive. On June 29, 1937, he was granted his first patent. He quickly put up a sign on his garage —“L’Auto-Neige Bombardier” — and went into business. Success was inevitable and immediate. We all know where this Canadian invention has gone since - basically everywhere that snow exists - worldwide - and there are almost three million snowmobiles registered worldwide! Thank you Joseph-Armand Bombardier!
(photo and information courtesy Government of Canada - Digital Connections Vol 4)
Here are some interesting snowmobile "facts & figures, courtesy of the ISMA.
- There are four major snowmobile manufacturers. They are: Arctic Cat - headquartered in Thief River Falls, MN; Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP). - headquartered in Valcourt, Quebec Canada; Polaris Industries - headquartered in Medina, MN; and Yamaha Motor Corporation - headquartered in Cypress, CA.
- In 2006, there were 91,670 new snowmobiles sold in the U.S., and 42,953 new snowmobiles sold in Canada. The average suggested retail price of a new snowmobile sold in North America in 2006 was $8,269.00.
- The number of Snowmobile Dealers:
United States - 1815
Canada - 932
Scandinavia - 409
- There are approximately 2.6 million registered snowmobiles in the world.
United States - 1.69 million
Canada - 601,000
Scandinavia - 318,000
- Worldwide snowmobile sales:
2006 - 164,860
- The Economic Impact of Snowmobiling:
United States - $21 billion annually
Canada - $6 billion annually
Scandinavia - $1.6 billion annually
- Over 85,000 fulltime jobs are generated by the snowmobile industry in North America. Those jobs are involved in manufacturing, dealerships and tourism related businesses.
- The average age of a snowmobile owner is 41 years old.
- The average annual household income for snowmobilers is $70,000.
- The average snowmobiler rides their snowmobile 990 miles per year.
- 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 2005/2006 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 two active web sites. The URLs are: www.snowmobile.org and www.gosnowmobiling.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.
June, 2006
( Reproduced from ISMA's web site)
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