Sledding Coming to an End...

[M-ATE]

So with all the environmentalists, "Global Warming ," increased EPA standards, higher prices, and less sledders is sledding going to become extinct in the future? If so how do you save the sport?

 

[racingpit]

I have often pondered this question as well. I think that as long as manufacturers continue to produce clean 4 stroke snowmobiles, then I think snowmobiling will be around as long as 4 wheelers will be. As long as snowmobilers advocate for their rights in constructive legislation, I think that snowmobiling will be around for a long time.

 

[Ollie]

So with all the environmentalists, "Global Warming ," increased EPA standards, higher prices, and less sledders is sledding going to become extinct in the future? If so how do you save the sport?

First off, new sled sales may be down. However sled registration is at all time highs.
The higher prices of sleds will have more to do with any decline in sledding than anything else.

As for the enviro-nazis, EPA standards and such. Won't matter. They will build compliant sleds and I will continue to sled. If they make it illigal, then I will ride iligally.

Haven't you heard. Global warming is a mith. They call it climate change now. Global warming has already been proven to be a load of BS as far as what the libs were trying to push, that is why they went to climate change. The climate changes every day. That is why we have weather forcasters. As for the "IT's all mans fault", don't even get me started. There are more and more scientist coming out and blasting that line of BS also. They talk about "plant a tree to save the planet", interesting thing though. Trees cause more green house gasses than man does. So by planting a tree, you are making it worse. That and cow farts.

 

[Jeff C]

Snowmobiling exists=riding areas

Remove riding areas, then what is the point?


That is why we must fight any and all land closures

 

[ruffryder]

As for the "IT's all mans fault", don't even get me started. There are more and more scientist coming out and blasting that line of BS also. They talk about "plant a tree to save the planet", interesting thing though. Trees cause more green house gasses than man does. So by planting a tree, you are making it worse. That and cow farts.

Not sure about the trees causing more green house gasses? I thought they gave of 02 during photosynthesis?

This is the biggest problem I have with the whole climate change debacle (sp?). It has become debatable. Why not just focus on pollution of our streams and air and how that effects our environment and our own health? Not on the if/are we issue of climate change. Pollution is not debatable at all. We do pollute, and it does effect us. Climate change allows for red wing wackos to have a point to stand on. Shame.

 

[ruffryder]

So with all the environmentalists, "Global Warming ," increased EPA standards, higher prices, and less sledders is sledding going to become extinct in the future? If so how do you save the sport?

By breaking the myth that snowmobilers can't be environmentalists too. As long as we are perceived to not care about the environment, our battles will be difficult to win.

 

[Adrenaline Revolution]

By breaking the myth that snowmobilers can't be environmentalists too. As long as we are perceived to not care about the environment, our battles will be difficult to win.

Very well said.

Hey RuffRyder...Quote..
"Climate change allows for red wing wackos to have a point to stand on. Shame"

"What's a Red wing Whacko" ?
Sounds like a nutjob with comfortable shoes.

 

[Bronjuan]

By breaking the myth that snowmobilers can't be environmentalists too. As long as we are perceived to not care about the environment, our battles will be difficult to win.

nicely said. thats the type of attitude that sledders should have if we want to save are sport and ridding areas. (calling for over a meter of snow bye tuesday)

 

[Fosgate]

How do we save our sport????.....FREE SNOWMOBILES!!! Seriously, when I was growing up nearly everyone had a sled or had one at one point in the laste 60's early 70's. But they cost a fraction of ones household income at the time. I think my dad bought our 73-74 Skiroules for something like $200 a piece brand new. A guy would just have to divert his monthly savings for a couple months and go buy one. Now I see alot of people making 27-34k and I don't recall what the average is but for alot of people, the cost of a new sled is 1/3-1/2 of their annual salary. So I think if the manufacturers could come out with a cheaply designed sled aside from their normal lineup it could be a little easier to talk a newcomer into buying one.

 

[Mr. Weed]

Haven't you heard. Global warming is a mith. They call it climate change now. Global warming has already been proven to be a load of BS as far as what the libs were trying to push, that is why they went to climate change. The climate changes every day. That is why we have weather forcasters. As for the "IT's all mans fault", don't even get me started. There are more and more scientist coming out and blasting that line of BS also. They talk about "plant a tree to save the planet", interesting thing though. Trees cause more green house gasses than man does. So by planting a tree, you are making it worse. That and cow farts.

Well I had to move back East last yr. The winter was terrible last yr. No cold until end of Jan and hardly any snow.

Well - look at the snow maps this year. Its been snowing for the last 3 weeks. We have tons of snow already and lots of cold temps. Two weeks ago the lake had over 6 inches of ice already. And lots more snow and cold in the forcast.

Last yr the Canadian rockies had more snow than theyve seen in 25 yrs.

And u think calving of glaciers in the antartica is a sign of warming? Glaciers receed when they melt. They calve when the grow due to heavy snow loads piled on top of them.

Seems pretty mythical to me.

 

[MtnCrazy]

Trees cause more green house gasses than man does.

I didn't know that, where can I find some research on this? I thought trees consumed CO2...? Just wondering

 

[M-ATE]

Haven't you heard. Global warming is a mith. They call it climate change now. Global warming has already been proven to be a load of BS as far as what the libs were trying to push, that is why they went to climate change. The climate changes every day. That is why we have weather forcasters. As for the "IT's all mans fault", don't even get me started. There are more and more scientist coming out and blasting that line of BS also. They talk about "plant a tree to save the planet", interesting thing though. Trees cause more green house gasses than man does. So by planting a tree, you are making it worse. That and cow farts.

Sorry I used the wrong term there, yes I do know they call it "Climate Change" now. I'm not trying to make this a debate of whether "Climate Change" exists and is man's fault or not. That is a whole other can of worms that I don't want to open. I simply threw "climate change" in as a possible factor in the decline of sledding. I think "climate change" is something the environmentalists will use against the sledders to fuel their fire. I'm not really worried about the earth warming up to the point where it won't snow anymore.
But as stated above how do you sled when all your land is closed off? I haven't done any research but I think the environmentalists have a big advantage in numbers on the sledders which makes it much easier to pass legislation against us. So how do you combat such a large group with such few numbers?

 

[Trav]

That is what I figured. I am fed up with driving 300 miles a day at $3.75 a gallon for diesel to go and ride average snow. If I could ride locally and ride for both days I would be all over it. I can go out to the MX track and ride every day for almost 2 weeks on what it costs to go riding one day with the sleds. I can ride out at the track at least 10 months out of the year. I hate to have to pick one sport but that's what it came down to for me.

 

[AkHockey10]

Dont know about you guys but, with the price of gas, it dont stop anyone up here from riding from what im seeing!

 

[Hardass]

I beleive it will be a wealthy mans thing in the future just like most things. Price of fuel, cost of sleds, Land closures And more and more of them meaning you have to travel farther and farther to ride. alot more average people will not be able to afford it. Just to buy a new poo is 11,000 and then if you want to big bore or turbo add another 6,000 then you have the fuel cost to go with it, and for how long will it last before it requires more money to keep running? not long. Reliability is not built into these sleds in fact sled and reliable shoud not even be in the same sentence.I know, I know yammy 4 stoke but who want to ride one of those stock. Sorry.

 

[Waxy]

I agree with Hardass about the cost being the ultimate killer.

I've pondered this question a lot myself lately. I've got a 5 month old boy, and I often wonder if he'll be able to go sledding and dirt biking like I've been able to. Somehow, I doubt it.

As gas prices climb and emissions become an even bigger issue, I'm guessing that recreational motorsports in general will die. Outside pressure will become stronger and stronger, and the increased cost of sleds, and especially fuel, will greatly reduce the number of sledders - that's a recipe for ending it.

The wildcard is the manufacturers - they've got the most to lose in this, so their response will be critical and how inventive they are might decide things.

Sadly, I don't think my boy is going to have the same luxuries and freedoms that I've enjoyed.

Waxy

 

[Snowlover]

If all that sledding is to you is buying the biggest, best, turbo charged latest technology sled, then the price will/does keep people from sledding.

If snowmobiling with family and friends and enjoying the outdoors with average sleds turns your crank, then it is more affordable.

I have less invested in my truck, trailer and sleds than the price of a new turbo charged sled, but I guarentee you that no one enjoys it more than me.

New sleds in the mid 70's were about 7-900 bucks. My 1978 Kaw invader was $1,700. That was close to top of the line in 78.

 

[WingNutRacing]

$$$$$$$ this issue alone is shorting out my riding buddies, and putting my own riding onto the back burner. Fuel prices are ridiculous, and sled prices aren't far behind. It's too bad.

 

[Seeyacop]

Sledding is already a wealthy man's sport where I am from.

Even if the sleds were zero emissions and whisper quiet the radical left greenies will still want them banned, they will just change their arguement primarliy from polution to something like it is scaring the animals.

I don't think it will ever go away completely but it will continue to change. It all comes down to good riding areas staying open in order for it to survive long term where I am from. Let's also hope the manufacturers continue to make $$ because this year is not looking good for Arctic cat or Polaris. Once the profit goes away so does the sport.

 

[Work - Never]

Wow, from reading this thread you would think we live in a country that controls how much money you can make in a year. Fella's, if you think it cost to much money to buy sleds and fuel why not just take advantage of the free enterprise system in this country and make more money instead of calling it quits. Nobody tells you how much money you can make. Those are limitations you put on yourself.