Who Are Snowmobilers?

No discussion of Pennsylvania snowmobilers would be complete without some facts about snowmobiling. Referencing the Snowmobile Fact Book, published by the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA), we find that:

  1. There are four major manufacturers that build snowmobiles: Arctic Cat (MN), Bombardier Recreational Products, or BRP (Quebec), Polaris Industries (MN), and Yamaha Motor Corporation (CA). 
  2. In 2008 there were 163,753 snowmobiles sold worldwide - 79,552 of which were sold in the United States.
  3. The average suggested retail price of a new snowmobile sold in 2007 was $8,800.
  4. There are 2,172 snowmobile dealers in the United States. 
  5. There are approximately 1.62 million registered snowmobiles in the US and 42,000 registered in Pennsylvania.
  6. Pennsylvania ranks 13th in number of registered snowmobiles in the U.S.

The Economic Impact of Snowmobiling:

Another important aspect of snowmobiling is its impact on the economy. Again, looking at National figures, snowmobiling generates the following amounts of business each year. 

United States .... $ 22 billion annually
Canada .............. $ 6 billion annually
Scandinavia....... $1.6 billion annually

In addition, more than 90,000 full-time jobs are generated by the snowmobile industry in North America in manufacturing, sales, and tourism. 

To determine the economic impact of snowmobiling on Pennsylvania, PSSA commissioned a study by Lebanon Valley College in 2000. To view a summary chart – showing snowmobiling as a $160.7 million dollar business in Pennsylvania, click here. 

Six years later, DCNR contracted with PennState University to conduct a more broad-base Snowmobile User’s Survey. Use the link to read the full text of that study, to see how Pennsylvania’s numbers stack up against ISMA’s international figures below:

The Average Snowmobiler: 

  • The average age of a snowmobiler is 44 years old.
  • The average annual household income for snowmobilers is $72,000.
  • The average snowmobiler rides their snowmobile 1,040 miles per year.
  • The average snowmobiler spends $4,000 each year on snowmobile-related recreation.
  • Approximately 70% of all active snowmobilers are male; 30% female.
  • 60% of snowmobilers usually trailer their snowmobiles to go riding. 40% either snowmobile from their primary residence or have a vacation home where they keep and use their snowmobiles.
  • Approximately 80% of snowmobilers use their snowmobile for trail riding and touring on marked and groomed trails. 20% of snowmobilers use their snowmobile for work, ice fishing, or transportation.
  • Snowmobilers spend on the average 7.2 nights per snowmobile season in a motel/resort room while snowmobiling.
  • Snowmobilers are caring neighbors, they raised about $3 million for charity during the 2007-2008 season.
  • Approximately 18% of all snowmobilers are part of the Senior Circuit - 60 years or older and 37% of all snowmobilers are 50 years or older.
  • There are over 225,000 miles of groomed and marked snowmobile trails in North America that have been developed by volunteer clubs working with local government and private land owners.
  • There are over 3000 snowmobile clubs worldwide, involved in trail grooming and charity fund raising and family activities.
  • There are 40 registered non-profit associations representing snowmobilers in the U.S., Canada and Scandinavia.



Sites worth checking out: