Snowmobiling is FUN
By angelamontana

Posted: December 6, 2022

It’s snowmobile season in Montana!  If you haven’t tried snowmobiling yet, check out these stats.

Did you know that in just the United States alone, $26 billion is spent annually on the sport of snowmobiling?  There are also over 100,000 full-time jobs generated by the snowmobile industry just in North America, including manufacturing, dealerships and tourism-related businesses.

Here are a couple of fun facts, via the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association, about snowmobiling that you may not have known:

  • The average age of a snowmobiler is 53 years old. (Interesting–I had no idea)
  • The average snowmobiler spends $2,500 each year on snowmobile-related recreation. (At least…lol)
  • 50% of snowmobilers trailer their snowmobiles to ride. 50% snowmobile from their primary residence or have a vacation home where they keep and use their snowmobiles. (#lifegoals)
  • Snowmobilers are caring neighbors, they raised over $3 million for charity annually. (Heck yeah!)
  • There are 3000+ snowmobile clubs worldwide, involved in trail grooming, charity fundraising and family activities. (Join your local snowmobile club and any other snowmobile club associated with where you ride!)

In addition, snowmobiling is an excellent form of exercise and can help relieve stress!  It is also a sport that requires good gear, and safety should be your first priority.  Helmet, helmet, helmet!  We don’t ride without helmets (which have saved our lives at one time or another) layered clothing, avalanche packs and beacons, among other things that include our avi probes, water and shovels. There is no such thing as being too safe.

If you’re a snowmobiler, be smart and have a blast!  When you ride in poker rides, you are supporting snowmobile clubs that have volunteers who go out and groom the trails.  When you ride in a poker ride, the people you see out there and running the poker ride are not typically getting paid.  It’s the least you can do to support your winter fun and keep the groomers grooming!

Happy sledding!

 

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