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Snowmobiling Fact book: Snowmobile History
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The first attempts at building a vehicle that would move over snow on runners happened over 70 years ago. Many dreamed of building a power-driven sled, especially where heavy snowfalls often meant the difference between life and death when attempting to transport an ill person to emergency care.
In 1935, a snowmobile was built with skis in front and a sprocket wheel and tracked system in back. It carried 12 people, and family doctors, veterinarians, ambulance and taxi drivers were first in line to purchase one. A modified version found a market in the logging industry.
It was the late 1950s, with the development of smaller gasoline engines, before the one- or two-passenger lightweight chassis snowmobile was marketed - and with it, a new recreational activity was born.
Ten years later, there were dozens of manufacturers producing snowmobiles that sold for a few hundred dollars a piece.
Today, with more than 4 million riders, snowmobiling is a major winter recreational activity and a significant factor in increased winter tourism in much of Canada and the snowbelt of the United States.
The history of the "snow machine" is yet to be completed. Today's snowmobile bears little resemblance to earlier models. By today's standards, many of the machines of the 60's and 70's are considered antiques.
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Upcoming Snowmobiling Events
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2012 Go Snowmobiling "Take a Friend Snowmobiling" Contest
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2012 Go Snowmobiling "Take a Friend Snowmobiling" Week
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Clean Snowmobile Challenge
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Snowmobiling News
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Clean Snowmobile Challenge - March 5-10, 2012
A record number of teams are expected to participate in the SAE 2012 Snowmobile Challenge, sponsored by the snowmobile manufacturers along with other supporting businesses, set for March 5th-10th, 2012 at Michigan Technological University.
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Plan on Participating in Take a Friend Snowmobiling Week
The snowmobile community is excited to announce the Take a Friend Snowmobiling Week - which will be held February 11-20, 2012. This elongated week celebrates friends and family snowmobiling.
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Snowmobile Safety: Ride Safe so you can Ride Tomorrow
Snowmobiling is in full stride around the world and now is the time for snowmobilers to keep snowmobile safety a top-of-mind awareness issue. Snowmobile safety is nothing new to organized snowmobiling. Snowmobile Administrators, the Manufacturers, snowmobile associations and clubs joined together years ago in developing the Safe Riders! You make snowmobiling safe™ safety campaign which brought safe snowmobiling practices, training and enforcement to a new level.
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Snowmobiling Websites and Facebook Expand
As we look at the last 20 years of communication transformation, most are amazed. Communication amongst snowmobilers has changed forever and it appears the evolution will continue.
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Snowmobiling Economic Benefits Realized Worldwide
The snowmobile community generates over 28 billion dollars in economic activity in North America. Snowmobiling supports over 90,000 full time jobs and generates millions of tax dollars.
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Yellowstone/National Park Service to Implement One-Year Rule for 2011-2012 Winter Use Plan
The National Park Service planners will implement a "One-Year Rule" for the upcoming 2011-2012 winter season, in order to allow time to better address significant public input regarding the proposed long-term legislation.
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Safe Riders! Safety Information
