Economic contribution of snowmobiling slid last winter, study finds

Photo / Courtesy UMaine A recent decline could reflect climate change’s effect on snow conditions.

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A lack of consistent snow last winter put the crunch on Maine businesses that depend on snowmobilers, according to a University of Maine report on the industry’s economic contribution.

Hotels, restaurants, equipment retailers and repair shops were affected, the study said. Rural areas, in particular, were affected.

Last year, snowmobiling generated an estimated $582 million in economic contributions during the 2023-24 season, a drop of $128 million compared to the previous year.

“With the economic contributions of snowmobiling nearing $710 million in strong seasons, this activity is vital to Maine’s economy and identity,” said Jessica Leahy, the report’s lead author and professor of human dimensions of natural resources at UMaine’s School of Forest Resources.

Unlike the ski industry, which can create its own snow, snowmobilers operate largely on a network of trails that would have natural snowpack.

Poor snow conditions likely reduced the number and duration of snowmobile trips, affecting spending on lodging, fuel, dining and equipment.

The recent decline could reflect climate change’s effect on snow conditions, Leahy said.

“Snowmobilers may need to change when and where they go, and businesses will also want to consider how they can change, too,” she said.

A range of factors

The researchers said the 2023-24 estimates might underestimate the true economic decline, which include a decline in both trip activity and snowmobile registrations.

The economic impact study helps the Maine’s Bureau of Parks and Lands’ snowmobile program with both short-term and long-term planning, said Joe Higgins, the program’s coordinator.

“Like any outdoor recreational activity, we’re at the mercy of the weather,” said Higgins. “We can have very good years with lots of snow and other years, like last year with low snow which as noted impacts jobs, restaurants, hotels and other services.”

The study builds on a 2020 report that examined the 2018-19 season, when snowmobiling contributed an estimated $607 million to Maine’s economy — equivalent to $746 million in 2024 dollars. Updated results for the 2022-23 season indicate an economic contribution of $710 million in 2024 dollars, buoyed by favorable conditions and robust participation.

Spending data accounts for both resident and non-resident snowmobilers, incorporating costs such as trip-related expenses and equipment purchases. Snowmobile registration numbers were used as a baseline for calculating total contributions, with adjustments made for inflation to reflect current economic conditions.

The report was funded by the Maine Snowmobile Association, with support from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry.