“An Economic & Social Assessment of Snowmobiling in Utah”

Issued by Utah State University – January 12, 2001

(A more current study has not been performed since the release of this study)

Summary Highlights

Total annual expenditures resulting from snowmobiling in Utah are about $52.6 million.  (This amount, when converted to current dollars would easily exceed $57 million) There are 527 jobs created producing about $12 million in income and $5.5 million in governmental tax revenue. 80% of respondents were male (average age 43), an average annual household income between $60,000 and $79,000, representing an average household of 3.97 people.

• Snowmobilers took an average of 12.3 trips in the 1999-2000 season.
• The “mean” dollars spent for all categories (i.e. gas/oil for snowmobiles/tow vehicles, food, repairs, maintenance, etc.) for each snowmobile trip amounted to about $127. Note: this statistic is significantly impacted by the current cost of gasoline and oil.
• There were 32,000 snowmobiles registered in Utah at the time of this study.
• Snowmobiling makes up about 1% of Utah’s gross state product.
• Average miles snowmobiled per trip were 57 miles (median gas usage 8.5 gallons).
• Average miles traveled to get to a trailhead were 50.1 miles.
• 31% of our riders have college or technical training; an additional 31% have a B.A. or Graduate degree.

Over 41% of Utah riders prefer off-trail riding and another 33% prefer a combination of at least two styles of riding. During the 1999-2000 season, nearly 73% of riders participated in off-trail riding. Over 68% of our snowmobilers ride with friends or immediate family. Over 41% of rider households’ own 2 snowmobiles and another 40% own 3 or more. About 87% of our riders have not experienced any conflicts with other types of winter recreationists and the nearly 13% that did said 44% of the conflict was with cross-country skiers and 33% was with other snowmobilers. 42% of Utah’s snowmobilers are familiar with the “Know before you go” program.

USU indicates the figures are very conservative for the following reasons.  They are based only on registered Utah snowmobilers and their families, and do not represent the economic value resulting from snowmobile rentals, trips by out-of-state snowmobilers, voluntary activities, job-or service-related activities, and other factors that could be included in the study.  Additionally, the snow pack during the 1999-2000 season was low and occurred late in the season.  For a complete copy of the study, contact the Institute for Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, Department of Forest Resources, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322-5215.