A. Economic impacts.

In 1996-97, there were over 103,000 registered snowmobiles in New York State and over 59,000 snowmobiling households. In 1998, total registered snowmobiles are estimated at over 108,000.

Net direct spending by snowmobile households in New York during the 1996-97 season is estimated at $118.0 million.

Net total revenues received by snowmobile equipment dealers in New York during the 1996-97 season is estimated at $117.0 million

Snowmobile clubs in New York had net total revenues of $3.1 million during the 1996-97 snowmobiling season.

Total direct spending in the NYS snowmobile industry during 1996-97 was $238.1 million.

Using a multiplier of two, the total economic impact (direct and indirect spending) of snowmobiling in New York State for the 1996-97 season is estimated at $476.2 million ($238.1 million X 2).

B. Profile of Snowmobiling Households.

Nearly 89% of the snowmobilers in New York in 1996-97 were male; 11% were females.

The typical snowmobiler was between 40 - 49 years old, had three members in the household. The household income was between $40,000 and $59,000.

Most snowmobilers live in rural communities (68.3%) and own their own homes (88.1%).

The top ten counties of residence for snowmobilers in 1996-97 included Erie, 8.9%; Oneida, 6.2%; Onondaga, 5.9%; Oswego, 5.6%; Saratoga, 4.1%; St. 'Lawrence, 3.6%; Monroe, 3.6%; Orange, 2.8%; Madison, 2.8%; Herkimer, 2.8%; Chautauqua, 2.8%.

Snowmobilers spent an average of 24.3 days riding in 1996-97.

Snowmobilersrode for an average of 975 miles in New York State during 1996-97. When traveling outside New York, snowmobilers rode for an average of 464 miles.

Over 43% of snowmobilers belong to a snowmobile club, paying an average of $28 per household in club dues, and another $69 on club fundraising activities.

The most common snowmobile club activities included grooming/trail work (21.4% of all responses), followed by club rides/trips (19.3%) and fundraising (13.8%).

A majority of snowmobiling households (55.1%) have never taken a snowmobile safety course. At the same time, over 66% of respondents feel that such courses should be mandatory for 16- and 17-year-old operators.

Most snowmobilers reported that safety on the trails, identification of hazards on trails, sharing trails with others, and behavior of other snowmobilers, were "excellent" or "good".

Most snowmobilers reported that overall trail systems, trail signage, natural value of trail placement, access to trails, parking near trails, accuracy of trail maps were "excellent" or "good." A majority reported that food availability near trails, gas station availability near trails, and lodging for snowmobilers were "excellent" or "good."

Most snowmobilers believe that trail grooming and information about trails was "fair" or "poor." Also, most reported that availability of repair parts and services near trails was "fair" or "poor."

Half of all snowmobilers would support an average increase of $11 in registration fees, in order to improve safety, signage or grooming Most snowmobilers do not want registration fees increased to support law enforcement, safety training or rider education.

Almost 80% of snowmobiiers believe that insurance should be required on any trail open to the public.

Almost half of snowmobilers think that alcohol use is a "moderate" or "severe" problem for snowmobile operators. However, most feel that drug use is "no problem" or a "minimal problem." Most riders have never had a problem with intoxicated snowmobilers.

Most respondents (89%) have never had a problem with snowmobile registration or renewals.

Almost two-thirds (64.2%) of respondents believe that no statewide speed limit should be established for snowmobiles.

Snowmobilers believe that NYSSA should concentrate on:
- better and more frequent grooming
- more extensive/interconnecting trail system
- more and better signs (at intersections, hazards, etc.)
- better and more available maps
- improved regulations/safety / education

C. Snowmobile Dealers

The average snowmobile dealer had been in the snowmobile business for 19 years during 1996-97; the longest tenure in the business was reported as 40 years. Dealers typically reported that sales of new snowmobiles accounted for 31-40% of their overall business revenue.

Snowmobile dealers sold an average of 79.5 new snowmobiles during the 1996-97 season. The average price of new snowmobiles sold was $5,272.

Dealers reported Polaris as the most frequently sold snowmobile (35.2%), followed by Arctic Cat (25.9%), Yamaha (22.2%), and Ski Doo (16.7%).

Dealers reported average revenues of $11,064 through sales of repairs, service and modifications during the 1996-97 season. The average charge per service visit was reported at $140.

14.7% of respondent dealers reported selling grooming tractors or drags during the 1996-97 snowmobiling season. Dealers reported selling an average of 13.2 new groomers or drags at an average sale price of $2,575.

Dealers employed an average of 6 full-time employees during the 1996-97 snowmobile season, with an annual payroll of $139350. Dealers also employed an average of three part- time employees with an annual payroll of $21,089.

Reverse kits, covers, clothing items and electric starters were the most common options purchased with new snowmobiles in 1996-97. The average cost of option packages purchased with new snowmobiles was $591.

82.5% of respondent dealers belonged to-snowmobile associations or clubs; they paid an average $33 in membership fees for the 1996-97 snowmobile season.

Dealers reported spending an average of $3,488 in government fees during the 1996-97 snowmobile season. They also reported paying, on average, $15,244 for business insurance, and $9,264 in business-related utilities costs. Dealers reported spending an average of $7,582 on direct and co-op advertising during the 1996-97 snowmobile season.

D. Snowmobile Clubs Report.

Almost half of snowmobiie clubs were established during the period 1969-72. Another 27% of clubs have been started during the 1990s.

Snowmobile clubs had an average of 174 members in 1996-97. Membership ranged from 22 to over 1,000 members per club. During the 1996-97 snowmobile season, an average of 48 new members joined snowmobile clubs.

Total revenues per club for the 1996-97 season were reported to average $12,357. Club dues for 1996-97 averaged $2,139, while revenues from other sources averaged $11,402.

Asked what were the three most common activities sponsored by their club, respondents most often reported dinners/food sales (22.9% of responses), followed by trail rides (18.1%) and races/poker runs (16.8% of responses).

Clubs reported spending an average of $6,332 on trail building, maintenance and grooming during the 1996-97 snowmobiling season.

Fundraising activities by respondent clubs generated an average of $4,940 in 1996-97. Most frequent fundraising activities included raffles (38.6% of responses), races/poker runs (15.7%) and food sales/BBQ (12.4%).

Over 88% of respondent clubs participated in community-oriented activities during the 1996-97 snowmobile season. The most frequently-mentioned activities included safety/training courses (45.2% of responses), adopt-a-highway programs and donations to community causes (each at 6.5%).

Clubs reported average charitable cash donations of $486 during 1996-97; donations of goods/merchandise during the period averaged $403. Clubs contributed an average of 543 man-hours to charitable causes in 1996-97.

For additional information contactnyssa@borg.com