According
to the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association, the long winter and
continued enthusiasm and interest in snowmobiling powered snowmobile sales to
increase worldwide to 144,601 new sleds sold in the past year, an increase of
over 15,000 units, which represents a 12 percent rise. Sales in the United States were nearly flat at 48,536 new
snowmobiles sold, while sales in Canada rose over 8 percent to 44,
022 new sleds sold.
The
snowmobile community is optimistic following the above average snowfall
throughout most of North America this past
season. Manufacturers have reported dramatic increases in attendance at their spring
snowmobile shows, with visitation was up over 30 percent at some shows.
The
snowmobile industry reports an increase in registered snowmobiles in North America to approximately 2 million registered
sleds. Increased registration in
Northern Europe and Russia
continues, and there are over 700,000 registered units in the European
community and Russia.
Snowmobile-related
tourism also increased in North America and
beyond. This can be seen in economic impact studies conducted throughout North America by major business colleges and
universities. Miles ridden by snowmobilers (which is always predictive of
economic impact) showed a 20 percent increase in the 2012-13 season. ISMA
attributes this to good riding
conditions and improved and expanded trail systems.
The
average age of a snowmobiler this past season was determined to be 43 years of
age, a slight increase.
Surveys
conducted by ISMA have shown that slightly over 70 percent of first-time buyers
in the snowmobile market purchased a used snowmobile. Many of them are young
adults who move on to purchase a new snowmobile later in life.
The
majority of snowmobilers in North America are
club members and/or association-federation members. Snowmobilers are also
active fundraisers who raised over $3.4 million dollars for charities last
year.
The
Go Snowmobiling website serves as
another strong indicator of interest in snowmobiling. This year more than 4.4
million visited the site, a 15 percent increase from last year. Statistics show
that approximately 20 percent of those visitors are individuals who do not own
a snowmobile but are expressing a great deal of interest in owning one and
going snowmobiling. It was also noted that approximately 20 percent of the
visitors to the site visited the site's rental outlet pages. This activity and
interest in renting bodes well for future sales and the growth in the
snowmobile rental market.
According
to ISMA, the continued broad-based growth of the snowmobile community includes
the increased number of visitors and exhibitors in snowmobile shows. State and
provincial organizations continue to grow and expand club membership. Many
organizations report that new trails are being developed to support the
positive economic impact of snowmobiling and job growth for rural communities.
Economic impact studies generated by North American universities show that
snowmobiling is growing in importance as part of the overall economic engine in
many communities. Estimates show that snowmobiling now generates more than $30
billion of economic activity in North America.
The economic activity generated by snowmobiling provides many jobs and
investment opportunities and generates considerable tax revenue for local
governments which eagerly support snowmobiling, according to ISMA.