Snowmobiling: A Ride Through the Years

According to the dictionary on my computer, snowmobiling is not a word. There are many who would disagree. Over 75 years ago, the first attempts at building a vehicle that would go over snow on runners began. Northern areas, with heavy snowfall, were especially anxious to build a power driven sled to transport people in an emergency situation. In 1935, a snowmobile was built with skis in front and a sprocket wheel and tracked system in back and carried 12 people. The first people to purchase one were doctor, veterinarians, ambulance and taxi drivers. The logging industry used a modified version.

The development of smaller gasoline engines was developed in the 1950’s and a new recreational activity was born. Within 10 years, there were dozens of manufacturers producing snowmobiles that sold for a few hundred dollars a piece. Today’s riders have a choice of four manufacturers and would be hard pressed to find a new sled for a few thousand much less a few hundred.

There are over 4 million riders in the United States and Canada with an economic impact of $21 billion in the US alone. The New York Snowmobile Association, in cooperation with SUNY Potsdam, performed an economic impact analysis in 1998 and found the economic impact of snowmobiling in NY is estimated at $476.2 million. In a 2003 survey of NY snowmobiliers, the calculation had increased to $875 million annually.

Many snowmobilers say they snowmobile to spend time with friend and family and to view winter scenery from a different vantage point. With over 10,000 miles of funded trails in New York, there are plenty of places to view.

Area snowmobile clubs have been in existence since the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. The volunteers of these clubs maintain all the miles of trails and they file paper work to the New York State Office of Parks and Recreation and Historic Preservation for reimbursement for a portion of the expenses for maintaining the trails. Clubs also provide safety training and communicating to its members any pertinent information needed for safe riding.

Snowmobiling has come a long way. Today’s “snow machine” vaguely resembles the earlier models. Sleds from the 60’s and 70’s are considered “vintage”. Mark Barnes, president of the Williamson Driftriders Snowmobile club, says he collects vintage snowmobiles because “it brings back memories from my childhood and it’s much cheaper than collecting vintage cars.”

Now with heated handle grips for riders and passengers, electric face shields to prevent fogging, electric start and reverse and GPS systems right in the sleds, the age and gender of the snowmobile population has widened. You see a lot more women and children than you used to on the trails. The improvements in suspensions have allowed people a smooth ride into their “golden years”. With the increases in technology, snowmobiling will continue to be a family sport well into the future.

Facts are from the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA) More information can be found at http://www.nyssnowassoc.org