time to make a serious committment for the season

As we prepare for the upcoming season, it's always good to take note of the past season. How did snowmobiling fare? How much (or how little) snowfall did we get? What impact did snowmobiling have on the local economies… or in the case of too little snow, were the snowmobile dollars missed? How did media treat our sport? And the list goes on and on.

Most of you rarely think of those questions- and more importantly the answers. That's what we do- and that's what your State Association does also- all in the name of promoting snowmobling.

We have many challenges ahead of us; many of these challenges will further define the character of snowmobilers. We know that our strategy must be well-planned and include key factors that portray us as being respectful, reasonable and responsible.

So, in preparing for the upcoming season, there has been discussion between all of the state associations and plans for a couple of new programs. Will you like them? We hope so. Will they help us maintain snowmobiling? We hope so. Will they work? Only if we get buy-in from the very people we are working for - that's you - and every other snowmobiler out there.

One of the new campaigns that you will see is the National Environment Campaign. Given our vulnerability on environmental issues, it was easy to take on this type of campaign. Unfortunately our enemies - those radical greenies - have painted many nasty pictures of us. So it's catch up time.

We've been able to change the image that many of our Washington DC lawmakers had of us. This took lots of work and many personal visits to Washington. It's really amazing how surprised some of them were when they saw us. It was nothing like the picture that had been painted of us by the greenies.

Now it's time to take this program to the ground - where we recreate. It's time we change the picture of "snowmobilers" to the local media, the local and state government, and most of all, to the non-snowmobiling public.

That's where the National Environment Campaign will start. We've been saying for years that we are environmentalists; we are good stewards of the land; we are reasonable and rational individuals and families that simply enjoy the winter on snowmobiles.

The time is now to re-position organized snowmobiling as proactive environmental stewards and tell the truth about snowmobiling and our impact on the environment! By doing this, we can shape public opinion to make us less vulnerable to attack and gain us positive media attention and government support so that we will at least be heard when environmental concerns threaten our riding areas.

So, in the coming months we hope to raise snowmobiling to a higher profile level and educate you, the enthusiast, about becoming more environmentally aware of the challenges that face us. At the same time, we hope to influence the gatekeepers and the decision makers to look more favorably on us as good environmental stewards of the lands. And last but not least, we will repeatedly tell the truth about snowmobiling emissions, sound levels, our impact on wildlife and the environment. It's time we set the record straight and deflate the arguments and change the pictures our opponents have painted of us.

The other program that will be initiated across the country on the state level will be a Zero Tolerance program. This doesn't mean no alcohol ever- just while you ride. The slogan, "Zero Tolerance I Say, 'til I'm Done for the Day" says it all.
Unfortunately one of the biggest problems we have with our image is drinking. The general public automatically assumes that all snowmobilers drink alcohol while operating their snowmobiles. While that is not true, the media often helps to paint that picture.

It also does not help to look at the statistics. A high majority of fatal accidents, as well as other accidents, involves the operator's use of alcohol. This is an image we need to change.

The non-snowmobiling community, as well as the media, incorrectly perceives that consuming alcohol while riding is an acceptable behavior. Therefore, the headlines portray that image while driving the fact home with the statistics showing alcohol is a major contributing factor in preventable snowmobile fatalities and injuries.

Your state will bring this issue up sometime this fall. Hopefully there will be support - as well as cooperation and implementation from the snowmobiling community.

These programs are not intended to cramp styles and diminish the fun of snowmobiling. Instead - for perhaps the first time ever, snowmobilers are being proactive. Our sport is being threatened from every direction possible. In order to protect the privilege of snowmobiling, we must be proactive. And - more than ever before - the time is now!

These programs will reinforce and compliment the existing safety initiatives such as public education, policy/legislation and enforcement already in place across the country. It also reflects the way the majority of snowmobilers in the United States already ride.

These programs are good for the sport. In early discussions with Congressmen and Senators, they are welcomed with open arms. They just go one step further in our efforts to be respectful, reasonable and responsible. All efforts that we must show good faith in if we are to remain on the public lands of the federal government (National Forests and Parks) and the private lands of many gracious and generous land owners.

So, as we prepare for the upcoming season, we also prepare for new programs. Programs that will most definitely carry us into the next decades. And most importantly, as we prepare for the soon-to-come winter, we must all pledge to do snowdances like we've not done in the past! Hopefully Mother Nature will bless us with many many snowfalls and lots of great riding. Start those dances now!