A long lasting cold and snowy winter in much of the snowmobile community, and
continued enthusiasm and interest in snowmobiling powered snowmobile sales to
increase worldwide to 133,081 new sleds sold this past year. This is an increase of over
8,275 units, which is a 7 percent gain from last year. Sales in the United States grew to
55,025 new snowmobiles sold – a 3.7 percent gain from last year, while sales in
Canada fell 0.1 percent to 46,784 new snowmobiles sold. The sales increase wasn’t
confined to North America. Sales increases were realized in Norway, Sweden, and
Finland. Sales in Sweden increased 17 percent to 11,956 new snowmobiles sold and
increases of 15 percent were reported in Norway and 26 percent increase in Finland. The
largest national increase was in Russia where sales increased 88 percent over the
previous year.
The snowmobile community is optimistic following the above average late snow fall
throughout most of North America this past season. The 2019 manufacturers’ spring
snowmobile shows reported increases in attendance. In many of the spring shows,
attendance was up over 20 percent. Spring orders were strong and that points to a good
2020 sales year.
The snowmobile industry reports that registered snowmobiles in North America totaled
1.85 million registered snowmobiles. Increased registration in Northern Europe
continues.
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 an increase of over 15 percent this past season versus
2018 season. This is a result of riding conditions and improved and expanded riding
areas and trail systems.
The average age of a snowmobiler this past season was determined to be 45 years of
age. Snowmobilers are active, outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy snowmobiling with family
and friends.
Surveys conducted by ISMA have shown that 75 percent of first-time buyers in the
snowmobile market purchased a used snowmobile. Many of them are young adults and
they 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. These active, involved, outdoor enthusiasts build the trails and
support snowmobiling access. Snowmobilers are also active charity fundraisers who
raised over $3.5 million dollars for National Charities last year.
The Go Snowmobiling website serves as another strong indicator for the interest in
snowmobiling. This year, the Go Snowmobiling site received more than 2.34 million hits.
40 percent of those visitors to the website were new snowmobilers or individuals who do
not own a snowmobile but are expressing a great deal of interest in owning a snowmobile
and going snowmobiling. 20 percent of the visitors to the site visited the rental outlet
pages of the site. Indications are that many of the individuals visiting the rental site do not
own a snowmobile but want to rent one during their winter vacation. This high level of
interest in renting bodes well for future sales and the growth in the snowmobile rental
market.
Additional surveys have found that snowmobilers are active in many outdoor activities.
Snowmobilers are also boaters, motorcycle riders, camping enthusiasts, ATV and UTV
riders, hunting enthusiasts and general outdoor recreationists.
Many families have discovered that snowmobiling is a great winter recreational activity.
Research shows people go snowmobiling for reasons such as viewing the scenery, be
with family and friends, to get away from the usual demands of life and be close to
nature.
Many organizations report that new trails are being developed to support the positive
economic impact of snowmobiling and job growth for the rural community. Economic
impact studies generated by universities in North America show that snowmobiling is
growing in importance as part of the overall economic engine and job growth for winter
tourism. Studies show that snowmobiling now generates more than $30 Billion Dollars 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.
Snowmobiling is a most important segment of the Outdoor Recreation Economy which
overall generates over $887 Billion of economic activity in the United States alone, as
reported by the US Department of Commerce and the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable
(ORR). Coalition members of the ORR generate over 7.6 million jobs. Snowmobiling is a
vital component of the Rural America Development effort.
Source: http://www.snowmobile.org/snowmobile-sales-outperform-economic-growth-worldwide.html