Snowmobiling Fact Book - Welcome, ISMA …

1 Snowmobiling fact book LIKE us on Facebook at: 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 Plymouth, MN; BRP Headquartered in Valcourt, Quebec; Polaris Industries Headquartered in Medina, Defining the Snowmobile Lifestyle Pg 4 MN; and Yamaha Motor Corporation Headquartered in Cypress, CA. Economic Impact Pg 5. In 2013 there were 144,601 snowmobiles sold Snowmobile Community Pg 9 worldwide; 48,536 were sold in the and 44,022. were sold in Canada. Snowmobile Charities Pg 10.

2 There are approximately million registered Snowmobiling in Europe Pg 10 snowmobiles in the US and 590,677 registered snowmobiles in Canada. Safety Pg 11 State State # registered # registered /Province Operator Education Pg 12. AK 52,400 SD 14,845. Avalanche Safety Pg 13 CA 20,184 UT 23,184. - Avalanche Guidelines Pg 14. CO 28,481 VT 25,238. Trails Pg 15 ID 38,324 WA 28,000. IL 33,750 WI 224,716. Sound Pg 17. IN 9,021 WY 30,728. Effects of Snowmobiling on: IA 25,917 AB 35,000. - Wildlife Pg 21. ME 80,000 BC 40,200. - Environmental Support for snowmobilers Pg 28. - Effects on Snowmelt Pg 31 MA 12,845 MB 35,000.

3 - Effects on People Pg 31 MI 205,808 NB 15,750. - Compaction & Vegetation Pg 33. MN 251,986 NF 101,360. Join a Club Pg 36 MT 46,606 NS 6,661. NE 836 NT 5,000. ISMA Web Site Information Pg 36. NH 42,000 NU 286. Safe Riders Pledge Pg 37 NY 115,017 ON 149,000. ND 14,528 PE 1,650. Survey Questions to better serve snowmobilers Pg 38. OH 14,000 QC 176,564. OR 15,129 SA 23,307. PA 38,500 YT 899. 1. The Economic Impact of Snowmobiling : sharing great experiences as a family. In many winter United States: $26 Billion annually regions, Snowmobiling is simply the main form of winter Canada: $ 8 Billion annually outdoor recreation and in some cases the main method Europe & Russia: $ 5 Billion annually of transportation available.

4 Over 100,000 full time jobs are generated by the The use of snowmobiles in National Parks is regulated snowmobile industry in North America. Those jobs are by federal Law Enforcement. The Snowmobiling occurs involved in manufacturing, dealerships and tourism on roads groomed and marked for Snowmobiling , the related businesses. same roadways used by recreational vehicles, cars, trucks and busses. Snowmobiles are NOT used as off The average age of a snowmobiler is 43 years old. road vehicles in National Parks such as Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain and Grand Teton. The average household income for snowmobilers is $68,000 annually.

5 On US National Forest Land, most of the trails used by snowmobiles are on groomed roads used by summer The average snowmobiler rides their snowmobile 1206 recreationists. There are also secondary and seasonal miles / 2241 km per year in North America. roads within the forests used by snowmobilers. These roads are groomed and marked by volunteers who work The average snowmobiler spends $4,000 each year on closely with the local Forest Service staff in snowmobile-related recreation. maintaining and managing those areas. 53% of the snowmobilers usually trailer their The manufacturers have always been actively involved snowmobiles to go riding.

6 47% either snowmobile from in promoting safe riding behavior while Snowmobiling . their primary residence or have a vacation home where Over one million safety related brochures and decals, they keep and use their snowmobiles. and hundreds of thousands of posters and safety DVDs have been distributed free of charge to snowmobile Snowmobilers are caring neighbors, they raised over $3 enthusiasts throughout the world. Safety trainers, million for charity during the 2012-2013 season. enforcement officers, Chambers of Commerce, etc. use safety materials provided by the manufacturers through There are over 3000 snowmobile clubs worldwide, the Safe Riders!

7 You make Snowmobiling safeTM. involved in trail grooming and charity fund raising and safety campaign. family activities. Visit the International Snowmobile Manufacturers There are over 42 registered non-profit associations Association web sites at and representing snowmobilers in the US, Canada, Europe for more information. and Russia. Snowmobiling is great exercise that brings people outdoors to interact with nature and each other. It is an SNOWMOBILE HISTORY. invigorating sport that is great for stress release and good mental health. The first attempts at building a vehicle that would move over snow on runners happened over 70 years ago.

8 Snowmobiling is a great family lifestyle. It is an activity Many dreamed of building a power-driven sled, that keeps parents and kids together. Historically especially where heavy snowfalls often meant the individuals who snowmobile at a young age continue to difference between life and death when attempting to snowmobile with their parents throughout their lives, transport an ill person to emergency care. 2 3. In 1935, a snowmobile was built with skis in front and a typically travel 30 to 75 miles to favorite riding areas or sprocket wheel and tracked system in back. It carried 12 on favorite trails.

9 There is a growing interest in touring . 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.

10 In remote with it, a new recreational activity was born. portion of Canada and the , 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.