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Snowmobiling Perfect Way To Enjoy Winter,
Share Family Values
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ISMA Study Shows 95 Percent of Snowmobile Enthusiasts Consider Snowmobiling A Family Activity
Thanks to snowmobiling, winter has become a season to enjoy. Ask any of the three million people who take pleasure every year in the beauty of winter on the 230,000 miles of groomed and marked snowmobile trails throughout North America.
"Snowmobiling is one of the easiest motorized recreational life-style activities to learn, making it suitable for individuals of all ages to enjoy an active, outdoor lifestyle in the winter, develop new friendships and extend old ones," said Ed Klim, president of the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA). "Today's snowmobiles are now designed with a variety of comfort and convenience features that make it safe and enjoyable to ride for hours."
Klim points out that the reason the life-style activity's popularity has been largely unreported is because the trail system is virtually hidden from public view.
Snowmobiling Demographic Profile
According to recent research, more than 95 percent of snowmobile enthusiasts consider snowmobiling a family life-style activity. Other important facts the ISMA study found include:
- Snowmobilers in North America spend more than $20 billion annually on the activity.
- There are 2.3 million registered snowmobiles in North America.
- 80 percent of snowmobilers use their snowmobiles for trail riding and touring in marked groomed trails.
- 75 percent of snowmobile owners are married and have children living at home with them.
- 63 percent of snowmobilers trailer their snowmobiles to go ride.
- The average snowmobiler is 41 years old, with an annual household income of $70,000.
Family Time
Mark Holcomb, his wife Denise and their two sons, Joshua and Jacob, travel every year from their Colorado home to West Yellowstone for their big winter vacation.
"We go for a whole week during the World Snowmobile Expo," says Holcomb. We ride together, check out the new snowmobiles and on the weekend the kids race in the snocross."
Riding together every season is an investment in the family according to Holcomb. "Snowmobiling is what we do and what makes us happy," he states. "How do you put a price on that?"
John Hoff, of Duluth, MN, started riding a snowmobile in 1961 as a way to reach his vacation cabin. Every year, he gets together several times each winter with his six kids and their spouses to ride the trails. Now he is passing on the tradition to his grandkids.
"Even in the middle of summer, I talk with the kids and my grandchildren about our snowmobiling trips to the cabin," says Hoff.
Common to these families is the bonding experience they've all experienced riding together. Instead of growing apart with age, they have all grown together by sharing a common passion for snowmobiling.
Economic Impact Empowerment Through Participation
In North America, there are nearly 3,000 snowmobile clubs. Virtually all are involved in trail maintenance, charity fund raising and family activities. For example, during the 2003-2004 season, snowmobilers raised over $3 million for charities. In addition to these individual clubs, there are 25 state associations in the U.S. and 13 provincial and territorial organizations in Canada.
"It's important to note that snowmobilers work together to plan, build and maintain their trails. That work is done through area clubs, councils and associations," said Klim.
Currently, there are more than 230,000 miles of groomed and marked trails in North America. This amounts to more miles of snowmobile trails than the entire U.S. interstate highway system. Approximately 80 percent of snowmobilers use their sleds for trail riding and touring on marked and groomed trails, with the average snowmobiler putting 990 miles per year on their sled.
Advanced Technology
Klim also points at the continuing evolution and design of the snowmobile as a major factor in the life-style activity's growth.
"Snowmobile manufacturers have developed cleaner and quieter engine designs, to lower the noise levels as well as emissions," said Klim.
"In addition, the continued popularity of longer snowmobiles that make it easy and comfortable for two people to ride shows the impact of the family on the life-style activity.
With programs such as ISMA's "Safe Riders - You Make Riding Safe" safety awareness program, continued emphasis is being placed on making the riding experience a safe and enjoyable one.
"ISMA encourages all snowmobilers to take advantage of snowmobile safety classes offered through state and provincial associations. These are valuable in helping to familiarize new snowmobilers with proper responsible snowmobiling behavior," said Klim.
Popular Activity
The popularity of snowmobiling has spread to traditional skiing destinations like Vail, Steamboat and Aspen. These and other resort areas have taken notice and are now offering snowmobile/ski packages. In a recent article, SKI magazine noted that more families are doing more activities than just skiing during their winter vacations.
Because of this interest in varied sports, resorts are now offering a greater number of activities to remain competitive and bring in more families. The resorts are discovering that snowmobiling is one of the most popular activities.
"Family values and family recreation activity are very important parts of our heritage and snowmobiling provides a family recreation lifestyle that helps join and keep the family together," says Klim.
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Safe Riders! Information
