Snow business like the snowmobile business

CEDAR RAPIDS - In 2014, there were some 25,995 snowmobile registrations in the state of Iowa, according to the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA). Snowmobile riders in Iowa have an estimated 8,000 miles of trails, and those trails are maintained through the volunteer efforts of 61 different Iowa snowmobile clubs.

But snowmobiling also provides a big boost to the economy. And the businesses that deal in sleds, gear and accessories aren't the only ones that benefit.

'The bars and restaurants along the trails see the economic impact of snowmobiling,” said Nathan Johnson, owner of JS Powersports in Cedar Rapids, which sells snowmobile parts, gear and accessories. 'The snowmobilers keep them open in the winter.”

According to a 2011 report prepared by Iowa State University for the Iowa State Snowmobile Association, snowmobiling contributes an estimated $80 million to the Iowa economy on an annual basis and creates 1,089 jobs.

Johnson said those numbers could be even higher if more funding is made available for multiuse recreational trails such as those in Wisconsin, which he equates to a super highway system for snowmobiles.

'Snowmobiling added $270 million in income in Wisconsin alone,” Johnson said. 'More elaborate trail systems would bring more outside income to the area.”

Johnson is not alone in thinking that the state can do better when it comes to providing access for snowmobiling. Nearly 90 percent of the Oxford snowmobile-riding households surveyed for the ISU report said they believe the trails and parks available for snowmobiling in Iowa are inadequate.

Steve Seelman, owner of Iowa City snowmobile dealer Fast City, said that 80 to 90 percent of his customers travel to Wisconsin and other out-of-state destinations to snowmobile.

'Most of them travel, which leads to trailers being a big accessory I sell,” he said.

Trailer sales notwithstanding, Iowans spend approximately $26 million on out-of-state snowmobile trips. The ISU report concluded that by capturing that spending in-state, Iowa would add another $41 million to the economy.

Of course, another factor that affects snowmobiling and its economic importance to the state is the availability of snow.

The 2013-14 season was a banner one for the snowmobile industry, according to the ISMA. With above-average snowfall throughout much of North America, new snowmobile sales in the United States and Canada increased 11 percent from the prior season.

At the same time, sales of gear and accessories rose by more than 20 percent.

The excellent riding conditions of the past winter kept interest in the sport strong during the spring, and both attendance at spring snowmobile shows and spring orders of the new 2015 models were up.

Snow traffic

But winter came along and Mother Nature failed to cooperate, tempering expectations for 2015.

'Not having snow in December did slow sales down,” recalled Brody Meier, general manager of McGrath Powersports in Cedar Rapids, which sells new and used Yamaha and Polaris snowmobiles.

Meier said that in response to slower winter sales, manufacturers have started offering aggressive incentives on remaining 2015 models about a month earlier than such rebates normally become available.

The recent snowfall has provided a boost for local snowmobile businesses, Johnson said.

'Interest picks up when there is snow in the forecast, and when the snow hits the ground, we get non-stop traffic through the door.”

Also helping to attract more people to the sport are improvements in snowmobile equipment and gear.

'Every year, snowmobiles are getting more comfortable to ride, more user-friendly and more environmentally friendly,” Seelman said.

'People can ride them right out of their garages, and for people who love the outdoors, that's a neat thing,” Johnson said.

Today's snowmobiles are lighter with improved suspension for a smoother ride and rider-forward positioning that gives the rider more control. Other features that add to ride quality and rider comfort include heated seats, thumb warmers and hand guards.

Riding gear also has improved.

'People think snowmobiling is a sport for the very hardy, but modern riding gear makes it possible to stay outside all day,” Seelman said.

Modern riding gear also makes the sport safer, according to Johnson. Brightly colored helmets and gear increase visibility, protective vests help reduce chest-impact injuries and voice-activated radio systems allow for better rider communication.

'We've seen a lot of accidents that could have been prevented if riders had radios,” Johnson said. 'With a radio wired right into the helmet, all you have to do is talk to warn oncoming sleds about open water, thin ice or trail conditions that are obscured by snow dust.”