economic impact of snowmobiling felt across the country
Amsnow
Surveys performed at the beginning of the snowmobile season reported that more than 75 percent of all snowmobilers planned on snowmobiling more this year than previous years. Most of the Snow Belt received ample snow cover this winter, including record snowfall in Wyoming.
The great riding conditions this year have had an economic impact. A report by Plymouth State University and the Institute for New Hampshire Studies said the total impact of snowmobiler spending on New Hampshire's economy was nearly $1.2 billion for the 2002-2003 season. Direct spending by snowmobilers was more than 10 percent of all travelers' spending in the state.
On average, in-state riders spent $66 per day while out-of-state travelers spent $88 per day. Annually the report estimated that the numbers added up to $1,830 for in-state snowmobilers and $1,208 for out-of-state riders. Much of these costs went toward equipment, clothing, insurance, club membership and license fees.
The INHS found that nearly 30 percent of all spending by travelers between December and April was by snowmobile parties, which is greater than the spending by Nordic and alpine skiers.
The INHS reported that the average New Hampshire household made 12 snowmobile trips per season and non-resident households made 8.8 trips to New Hampshire to snowmobile. This resulted in 15 percent of the estimated number of total party trips by all tourists and travelers in the state between December and April.
The snowmobile industry isn't the only one seeing benefits.
INHS survey results estimated that 27.9 percent of out-of-state and 12.3 percent of in-state snowmobilers stayed at second homes, condos and timeshare units they own. The cost to own and operate these homes was estimated at $12.4 million per year. Another $14.9 million in state revenue resulted from spending for lodging and food.
Snowmobiler spending supported 6,557 direct full and part-time jobs, the INHS report said. This spending provided nearly 2 percent of all payrolls in the state between December and April.
There is no place in the United States that feels the economic impact of snowmobiling greater than the area around Yellowstone National Park. After the ruling restricting snowmobiles in Yellowstone, Wyoming reported a direct job loss of 938 full-time jobs. Because Wyoming has a small population of less than 500,000, the loss of 938 jobs had a great impact. In fact, these net job losses are equivalent to 67,743 lost jobs in California or 37,952 lost jobs in New York. This just goes to show how important snowmobiling is for the economy.