Syracuse.com - NYS Snowmobile Association executive director talks about economic impact of his sport and what happened last year

[HuntingNY-News]

Things should pick up this winter. Historically, a warm, dry winter is usually followed by a snowy one,

Just how much of an economic impact does snowmobiling have on the state’s economy?

Plenty — particularly when there’s a snowy winter.

A recent assessment done by the SUNY Potsdam Institute of Applied Research indicated New York’s snowmobiling scene delivers an economic impact of $868 million annually. The numbers were based on nearly 6,000 responses collected from snowmobile owners during the 2010-11 season.

The average annual household expenditure for a snowmobiling season is $3,561, and there’s an additional $3,200 for sled expenses that include purchase price and towing, according to the study, which was commissioned by the New York State Snowmobile Association.

“This follow-up to the New York State 1998 study shows that, even after adjusting for cost of living and other factors, snowmobiling has been a growing activity during the last decade with significant economic impact for New York State,” said J. Patrick Turbett, director of SUNY Potsdam Institute for Applied Research.

Last winter’s snowmobiling season, though, was hurt by the lack of snow.

Dominic Jacangelo, executive director for the New York Snowmobile Association, said the state saw an estimated 30 percent loss in economic activity.

The state also saw a decrease in snowmobile registrations. During the 2010-11 season, a total of 135,000 snowmobilers registered their sleds. Last year, that total dropped to about 90,000, he said.

Jacangelo said the state experienced a dramatic change in its winter weather pattern, in that it was not only warm, but relatively dry.

Things should pick up this winter. Historically, a warm, dry winter is usually followed by a snowy one, he said.

“We’re encouraging snowmobilers to join their clubs early, to register early. The sport depends on that social network of the clubs,” he said.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog