Snow Facts

There are four major manufacturers that build snowmobiles. They are:
Arctic Cat- headquartered in Thief River Falls, MN;Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP).-headquartered in Valcourt, Quebec; Polaris Industries- headquartered in Medina, MN; and Yamaha Motor Corporation- headquartered in Cypress, CA.

1. 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. 
2. The number of  Snowmobile Dealers:
          United States - 1815
          Canada - 932 
          Scandinavia - 409
3. There are approximately 2.6 million registered snowmobiles in the world.
   United States-1.69 million, Canada-601,000, Scandinavia-318,00.
4.  Worldwide snowmobile sales for the last 12 years are:
       1993 - 158,000
       1994 - 181,000
       1995 - 227,400
       1996 - 252,324
       1997 - 255,773
       1998 - 257,936
       1999 - 230,887
       2000 - 208,297
       2001 - 208,592
       2002 - 203,153
       2003 - 186,627
       2004 - 181,336
       2005 - 173,733
       2006 - 164,860
   
   
5. The Economic Impact of Snowmobiling:
       United States - $ 21 billion annually
       Canada - $ 6 billion annually 
       Scandinavia - $1.6 billion annually
6. Over 85,000 full time jobs are generated by the snowmobile industry in North America. Those jobs are involved in manufacturing, dealerships and tourism related businesses.
7. The average age of a snowmobiler is 41 years old.
8. The average annual household income for snowmobilers is $70,000.
9. The average snowmobiler rides their snowmobile 990 miles per year.
10. The average snowmobiler spends $4,000 each year on snowmobile-related recreation.
11. 75% of snowmobile owners are married. The average snowmobile family has 0.8 children living in the home with them.
12. 65% of the snowmobilers usually trailer their snowmobiles to go riding. 35% either snowmobile from their primary residence or have a vacation home where they keep and use their snowmobiles.
13. Approximately 80% of snowmobilers use their snowmobile for trail riding and touring on marked and groomed trails. 20% of snowmobilers use their snowmobile for work, ice fishing or transportation.
14. Snowmobilers spend on the average 7.2 nights per snowmobile season in a motel/resort room while snowmobiling.
15. Snowmobilers are caring neighbors, they raised over $3 million for charity during the 2005-2006 season.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. There are over 3000 snowmobile clubs worldwide, involved in trail grooming and charity fund raising and family activities.
19. There are 40 registered non-profit associations representing snowmobilers in the U.S., Canada and Scandinavia.
20. 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.
21. 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.
22. 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 snowmobilling, the same roadways used by recreational vehicles, cars, trucks and busses.  Snowmobiles are NOTused as off-road vehicles in National Parks such as Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain and Grand Teton.
23. The International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association has two active websites.  The URLs are:www.snowmobile.org and www.gosnowmobiling.org.
24. The manufacturers have always been activerly involved in promoting safe riding behavior whil 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.  Safetry 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.

 Facts and Figures provided by:
 the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association.

International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association
Ed Klim, ISMA President
517-339-7788