Snowmobiling Facts

The Truth

About Snowmobiling

In Minnesota & North America

Economic Impact:

• Minnesota the economic revenue impact is estimated to be OVER $1,000,000,000 (BILLION) each year!

• Minnesota snowmobiling budget is ONLY $8.4 MILLION.

• Snowmobiling is responsible for BILLIONS of dollars a year in our global economy annually.

  • United States - $ 22 billion annually

  • Canada - $ 6 billion annually

  • Europe & Russia - $2.2 billion annually

• OVER 90,000 FULL TIME jobs are generated by the snowmobile industry in North America.

  • Those jobs are involved in manufacturing, dealerships and tourism related businesses.

• Snowmobilers raised OVER $3,000,000 for charity during the 2010-2011 season.

• In 2011 there were 123,063 snowmobiles sold worldwide.

  • 51,796 were sold in the U.S.

  • 40,878 were sold in Canada.

  • 51,796 (sleds sold in USA) X $8,450.00 (avg. price 2010-2011) = $437,676,200 avg.

• Minnesota, approximately 8,000 jobs in tourism, manufacturing, and retail in Minnesota.

• Snowmobiling provides for $245,000,000 in wages and salaries in Minnesota.

• Generates annual state and local revenue of $56,000,000 annually in Minnesota.

• Contributes $529,000,000 (MILLLION) to the Gross State Product in Minnesota.

• Conservatively, $200,000,000 is generated in tourism dollars in Minnesota.

• Average snowmobiler spends $4000 each year on snowmobile related recreation in the U.S.

Demographic:

• Average age of a snowmobiler is 43 years old.

• Approximately 75% of all active snowmobilers are male; 25% female.

• Average household income for snowmobilers is $65,000 annually.

Statistics:

• Approximately 22,000 miles of Minnesota trails.

• DNR constructs, grooms, and maintains approximately 740 miles of the 22,000 miles of trail in Minnesota, Volunteer Clubs do the rest.

• Over 250,000 snowmobiles registered in Minnesota alone!

• 1.55 million registered snowmobiles in the U.S. as of 2010 - 2011.

• Over 602,902 registered snowmobiles in Canada.

• 53% trailer their snowmobiles to go riding.

• 47% either snowmobile from their primary residence or have a vacation home where they keep and use their snowmobiles.

• Approximately 80% of snowmobilers use their snowmobile for trail riding and touring on marked and groomed trails.

• Approximately 20% of snowmobilers use their snowmobile for work, ice fishing and transportation.

  • Average snowmobiler rides 1414 miles (1836 km) per year in North America.

Manufacturers:

• Two of the Four major manufacturers that build snowmobiles are located in Minnesota.

  • Arctic Cat - headquartered in Plymouth, MN.

  • BRP - headquartered in Valcourt, Quebec.

  • Polaris Industries - headquartered in Medina, MN.

  • Yamaha Motor Corporation - headquartered in Cypress, CA.

• Average suggested retail price of a new snowmobile sold in 2011 was $8,450 (US Funds).

Clubs & Trails:

• Over 225,000 miles of groomed and marked snowmobile trails in North America.

• Volunteer clubs working with local government and private land owners developed these trails.

• Over 3000 snowmobile clubs worldwide, involved in trail grooming and charity fund raising and family activities.

• Over 40 registered non-profit associations representing snowmobilers in the U.S., Canada and Scandinavia.

Family & Health:

• 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.

• Snowmobiling is a great family lifestyle.

• It is an activity that keeps parents and kids together.

• Historically individuals who snowmobile at a young age continue to snowmobile with their parents 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.

State/Provincial snowmobile registrations for 2010-2011 season were as follows:

Information Sources:

MnUSA (Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association) & INSA (International Snowmobile Association)