Snowmobilers in Canada and the United States spend over $28 billion on snowmobiling 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 per year, spending 2 nights per trip away from home.
The sport of snowmobiling is responsible for "spin-off" economic benefits such as:
- jobs for tens of thousands of people; jobs which enable those people to further stimulate the economy through additional expenditures on goods and services; jobs which 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, banks, credit unions, etc.).
- millions of dollars in winter tourism
- spending which support local snowbelt economies.
U millions of dollars in local and provincial/state sales and gas tax revenues.
Snowmobiling has rejuvenated the economies of many communities.
Provincial and state travel bureaus are now actively promoting snowmobile tourism through such means as 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 an economic impact analysis in 1998 showing the economic impact of snowmobiling in New York state is estimated at $476.2 million. In 2003 the state of New York surveyed snowmobilers in New York and calculated the economic impact of snowmobiling in New York had increased to $875 million annually - an increase of 84% in 5 years!
The Wyoming Recreation Commission, in conjunction with the University of Wyoming, prepared a report on snowmobiling in the state in 1995. 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 snowmobiling has on the state of Vermont exceeded $600 million annually, according to a study by Johnson State College compiled in 2003.
Annual expenditures on snowmobiling exceeds $22 million in Nova Scotia, according to a 2005 Economic Assessment report presented to the Nova Scotia Dept of Tourism.
The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs 2005 economic impact study showed that direct expenditures generated by snowmobiling was around $1.2 billion.
The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs 1998 economic impact study showed that direct expenditures generated by snowmobiling was over $932 million.
The Lebanon Valley College of Pennsylvania in cooperation with the Pennsylvania State Snowmobile Association conducted an updated economic impact study in 2000 showing the annual economic impact of snowmobiling of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to be approximately $161 million.
The Plymouth State University and New Hampshire Snowmobile Association conducted a study in 2004 showing the economic impact of snowmobiling in the state of New Hampshire to be $1.2 Billion annually.
In Alaska, the economic impact of snowmobiling in the Anchorage and Mat-Su Borough was found to be over $35 million annually, according to a study conducted by the Anchorage Economic Development Corp., and released in May 2000.
The University of Minnesota Tourism Center completed an analysis of the snowmobile industry in Minnesota in 2005 and reported the snowmobile industry generates substantial tax revenues at the state and local level. Over $51 million in taxes were paid at the local and state level directly related to snowmobile activity. Federal tax receipts were not included in the report.
The University of Massachusetts found the economic impact of snowmobiling to be $54.7 million annually in a study conducted and released in 2003.
In 1998 the University of Maine and the Maine Snowmobile Association conducted a study showing the economic impact of snowmobiling on Maine to be $261 million.
The Quebec Federation of Snowmobile Clubs recently completed an economic impact study that showed over $1.5 billion is generated by the snowmobile industry in Quebec.
Michigan State University, for the Michigan Department of Parks and Recreation, completed an assessment of snowmobiling impact in the State of Michigan in February 1998. That survey showed that the average snowmobiler in Michigan spends $4,218 annually on snowmobiling activity, equipment, and vacationing in the state of MI. Over $1 billion in economic impact in MI is generated by snowmobiling. Over 6,455 full time jobs are created by snowmobiling in Michigan.
In 2001 Washington State University and the Washington State Snowmobile Association conducted a snowmobile usage study and concluded that the annual economic impact of snowmobiling in Washington was $92.7 million.
Iowa State University completed an Economic Impact report in 2005 on snowmobiling in Iowa. Their report shows snowmobiling generated $65.4 million in economic activity resulting in 899 jobs.
A 2001 Economic and Social Assessment of snowmobiling in Utah conducted by Utah State University determined the following data to be correct:
- Total annual expenditures resulting from snowmobiling in Utah are about $52.6 million.
- 31% of Utah riders have college or technical training; an additional 31% have a B.A. or Graduate degree.
- About 87% of Utah riders have not experienced any conflicts with other types of winter recreationists.
Economic impact reports across North America show the positive economic significance of the sport of snowmobiling at all levels.
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