By International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association
Haslett, MI - The snowmobile community generates more than $28 billion in economic activity in North America. Snowmobiling supports more than 90,000 full time jobs and generates millions of tax dollars. There are many ways that snowmobiling impacts on the economy. The production and sales of snowmobiles and the related products generates substantive economic impact and employment. In addition, there are thousands of snowmobile dealers and distributors of snowmobile parts that generate significant economic impact locally and nationally.
The largest single impact of snowmobiling can be seen in studying the tourism activity reports. In addition to snowmobile tourism, there are many snowmobiling events which generate millions of dollars of economic impact which are not considered in economic impact studies. Whether it is a snowmobile grass drag, an oval race, snocross race or a hillclimb, they all collectively have a positive impact on the economy.
Communities that embrace snowmobiling benefit directly from recreational snowmobiling. Snowmobilers build trails that make communities more attractive in the winter and summer. Trails are one of the most sought after community amenities anywhere in North America for prospective homeowners.
Along those lines there is a considerable amount of money spent developing and maintaining trails by the snowmobile clubs and associations along with related government agencies and trail partners. The many weekends in September and October involving trail cleanup, brushing, signing and general repair generate positive economic activity for the community supporting snowmobiling.
All local businesses thrive during the season, as those local businesses provide meals and lodging, gasoline, repair parts and more.
Snowmobiling provides considerable health benefits and the economic impact of healthy vibrant citizens must be considered. Studies show that snowmobiling requires positive physiological demand that has a beneficial effect on health and fitness. It has been determined that recreational snowmobiling is associated with moderate intensity cardiovascular demand and fatigue inducing muscular strength challenges similar to other activities such as alpine skiing and rock climbing.
The rigorous physical activity associated with snowmobiling is recognized as being positive by the American College of Sports Medicine and should be considered to be a benefit to the overall economy and to the local region.
Snowmobiling generates snowmobile trails and supports family activities which helps build friendships and better communities and a healthy active populace.