Shooting the breeze with a riding bud & he is half my age but doubts the future of snowmobiling over the next 10-20 years as the sport is just too expensive for a family of 4 now. My gkids are too young to snowmobile but their parents have no money for boats or snowmobiles so I don't see them as part of snowmoblings' future. To me the landscape is changing & I'm not at all sure what the next 10-20 years will bring? Maybe just huge rental fleets for the masses is the future.....just don't know? Your thoughts?
Snowmobiling Next 10 To 20 Years
- Thread starter whitedust
- Start date
I agree, i think the industry has killed itself, don't worry about the cost of sleds, when manufactures are charging $40-$50 a gallon for oil, $150.00 + for a belt and so on the cost of sleds are cheap. then you need a trailer, gloves at $100.00, goggles $40-80, and so on. Now lets discuss gas, $4.50 a gallon x 4 per hundred miles and it adds up quick, truck to get there, food and whatever. for what it costs you could take your entire family for weeks of vacation anyplace on this earth and still come out ahead. I love this sport but as i get older i have a hard time justifying the costs for the fun. The winters aren't even that good anymore.
highhertel
Member
On top of operating costs, depreciation of a snowmobile is rapid. Seems like a race as to which sled can get to $1000 selling price the fastest.
HH
HH
I got lucky, my wife enjoys snowmobiling, but could take it or leave it. So, it got to the point where it was just me, which is fine, because I could not afford to have 3 sleds, and to fill each up with gas twice a day over a 3 day weekend. We just don't make that kind of money.
Real hard to say where the sport will be in 10-20 years, I do not think there will be very many families enjoying it.
Real hard to say where the sport will be in 10-20 years, I do not think there will be very many families enjoying it.
Scariest think to me will be the ability to have a trail system in 10 or 20 years. Development and tree huggers are bad enough but the aging volunteers and/or club members. Without them meeting with the land owners, smoothing over their feeling as well as smoothing over the trails in the winter in the groomer. I am one of the young ones in the club at 50 so I would always like to see some younger blood get out and help out with the brushing and other fund raising events. But I guess if they can't afford to ride then they won't be helping maintain a place to ride.
Imagine what a gallon of gas will cost in 2033. The machines have doubled in price in the past 20 years so are we looking at 25K for a new one 20 years out? Doesn't look favorable for the masses, maybe a few. I'm thinking rentals and maybe the regular riders focus on owning their own gear instead of machines, kinda like skiers do today.
Quite honestly when you look at the world around us today, snowmobiling may not be of interest in 20 years. Keeping your family fed, safe, and in a warm home may take up all your time and money. Just something to think about.
Quite honestly when you look at the world around us today, snowmobiling may not be of interest in 20 years. Keeping your family fed, safe, and in a warm home may take up all your time and money. Just something to think about.
anonomoose
New member
Well I can't speak for everyone but this thread is depressing as heck.
Keep things relative.
Do you own a boat? Don't go figuring out what that puppy costs you each year...fuel, upkeep, fees, slip...haul out....it isn't for the faint of heart.
Snowmobiling is changing, and that is for sure. Days of laying out huge bread for a sled is going to squeeze the industry, and the crews that ride them. But if your main cost is gas and trail fees, it is still cheaper than golf or bowling over the long haul.
HOW you sled probably will change...and if you're a smart guy you will buddy up on a sled and trade off using it. Two guys can buy twice as much sled, or cost you half as much.
Instead of spending a small fortune on trailers and horsepower to haul it back and forth, leaving the sled at the destination makes a world of better sense. Guys looking to pickup a few bucks in the prime sledding areas, could make a buck or two storing your sled as long as it is insured.
Remember there are no bugs to swat in January, and the views and fresh air is like nothing else on the planet.
Attitudes will have to change, but with proper planning, your sledding daz don't have to be over unless you want them to be over.
Keep things relative.
Do you own a boat? Don't go figuring out what that puppy costs you each year...fuel, upkeep, fees, slip...haul out....it isn't for the faint of heart.
Snowmobiling is changing, and that is for sure. Days of laying out huge bread for a sled is going to squeeze the industry, and the crews that ride them. But if your main cost is gas and trail fees, it is still cheaper than golf or bowling over the long haul.
HOW you sled probably will change...and if you're a smart guy you will buddy up on a sled and trade off using it. Two guys can buy twice as much sled, or cost you half as much.
Instead of spending a small fortune on trailers and horsepower to haul it back and forth, leaving the sled at the destination makes a world of better sense. Guys looking to pickup a few bucks in the prime sledding areas, could make a buck or two storing your sled as long as it is insured.
Remember there are no bugs to swat in January, and the views and fresh air is like nothing else on the planet.
Attitudes will have to change, but with proper planning, your sledding daz don't have to be over unless you want them to be over.
Assuming weather is cyclical and there will be enough snow most years to keep it interesting, I think snowmobiling will be ok because:
1. Multi-use trail system - should help to maintain the infrastructure, for the most part. Of course the trail network will always be fragile, and new land to ride will never be created, so it's not guaranteed.
2. Used sleds can be purchased at decent prices that probably will be better to ride than a new sled from years ago. Just my opinion. The high end sleds are getting ridiculously expensive, but if you compare apples to apples, what you can get off the used market with say a 600 carb is pretty good for the money. Plus resale has been good.
3. If you want to ride high miles, you have to pick a sled that is easy on gas - a used Yami or one of the skidoo DI's for example. They (Yamis) might not be the best handling sled, but better than anything 20 years ago. Again, just my opinion. Something I've tried to do when planning a day's trip is to eliminate riding on RR grades as much as possible. They really aren't fun, and they basically just burn money to get from point a to b.
4. International sales are growing - overseas sales were greater than US or Canada sales this past year for the first time ever. This trend should help control costs.
5. If renting, heading out West is not a bad deal at all. You can do that for $200/day. You can't do that in the UP, once you add in gas and oil costs.
Gas prices are the biggest concern I have. That is why I haven't gone riding in Canada in about 10 years. How many people would ride up there if snowmobiling gas was the same price as here? Also, as Moose mentioned, the cost of moving the sleds around to go on a trip is getting insane. That's what I've been trying to figure out how to control the best.
1. Multi-use trail system - should help to maintain the infrastructure, for the most part. Of course the trail network will always be fragile, and new land to ride will never be created, so it's not guaranteed.
2. Used sleds can be purchased at decent prices that probably will be better to ride than a new sled from years ago. Just my opinion. The high end sleds are getting ridiculously expensive, but if you compare apples to apples, what you can get off the used market with say a 600 carb is pretty good for the money. Plus resale has been good.
3. If you want to ride high miles, you have to pick a sled that is easy on gas - a used Yami or one of the skidoo DI's for example. They (Yamis) might not be the best handling sled, but better than anything 20 years ago. Again, just my opinion. Something I've tried to do when planning a day's trip is to eliminate riding on RR grades as much as possible. They really aren't fun, and they basically just burn money to get from point a to b.
4. International sales are growing - overseas sales were greater than US or Canada sales this past year for the first time ever. This trend should help control costs.
5. If renting, heading out West is not a bad deal at all. You can do that for $200/day. You can't do that in the UP, once you add in gas and oil costs.
Gas prices are the biggest concern I have. That is why I haven't gone riding in Canada in about 10 years. How many people would ride up there if snowmobiling gas was the same price as here? Also, as Moose mentioned, the cost of moving the sleds around to go on a trip is getting insane. That's what I've been trying to figure out how to control the best.
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highhertel
Member
Yes, boats are expensive but used boats can be purchased at a deep discount. Many people I know use their luxury boat as their 'cabin on the water'. They actually live on it during the summer months, can't do that with a snowmobile.
HH
It is getting pretty pricey but its also a pretty wholesome sport for the most part i don't have to worry about some drunken pig ripping her top off in the parking lot while i am out with my kids quality time is what its all about disney world is not getting any cheaper its your money spend how you see fit the sport will go on for sure
its just to much fun
its just to much fun
polarisrider1
New member
Keep in mind, to move that floating cabin costs are insane. My boat is not that big and if I would run it the way I used to, I can easily run $12,000 of fuel thru it each summer. Cost for a new Rmk Pro. Add in $1000 a month boat payment and another new sled ea. year. Then slip fees and winter storage, there goes another $6000 (sled for the wife).
Boating is not a better deal. And pray nothing breaks on the floating cabin. My marina charges $185 an hour for service minimum one hour. My motorcycle is the best value toy I have, 45 mpg and as a Harley it is insane how the value is holding.
polarisrider1
New member
I can't see myself ever getting out of snowmobiling. But I see the tree huggers and land developers making it much more difficult for us. Also we will add very few young folks to the sport due to the high cost of sleds and gas. They will just have pretend sleds on Xbox to ride.
dj2muchjunk
New member
Sleds are getting much more fuel efficient and clean,so hopefully the tree huggers will back off, other motor sorts no matter what the cost of fuel compared to wages has only grown. I think there are more motorcycles, snowmobiles and 4 wheelers , etc. now than ever before. We Americans love our motor sports and will continue to enjoy in the future. My biggest worry is that snowmobiling is about the only sport that relies on volunteers to make it happen and volunteerism is going away with each new class of riders.
polarisrider1
New member
They been saying that for decades.
I have no idea what the future holds for us as far as snowmobiling goes. But, I do know that things need to change for our sport to survive. I don't even need to mention the costs related to owning and running a sled, you all know that, and it's expensive. I look at things from a snowmobile club standpoint. We need more younger people to carry this sport forward. Trails are built and maintained by volunteers, volunteers that are aging. Without new blood, clubs fail, and trails don't open. The other thing that needs to be addressed is the need for additional funding to keep trails open and maintained. I know the AWSC is working on that, and will continue to do so. One last thing is the cost of groomers. With groomers in the $175-$200K plus range, it is getting difficult to update equipment. Clubs need ways to be able to afford the machines that make the trails smooth for you.
I don't see snowmobiling dieing as a sport. But I do believe you will see less sleds, less clubs, less miles available to ride, and big increases in costs associated with being able to ride. Who knows, I may still be riding my old ZR 20 years from now.
I don't see snowmobiling dieing as a sport. But I do believe you will see less sleds, less clubs, less miles available to ride, and big increases in costs associated with being able to ride. Who knows, I may still be riding my old ZR 20 years from now.
chillywilly
Member
Boating is insanely expensive. (FUEL, MAINTENANCE, REPAIRS) What I have found with sledding is that sleds have gotten more expensive (NEW) To combat that I like to buy leftovers. My first new sled was an 2003 Firecat at MSRP of $$7699. Since then I have found the internet to be a great tool to help keep the cost down.
What I paid and when:
2002 2003 Firecat $7699 (local dealer didn't know any better) Valparaiso IN.
2007 2007 F1000 SP $7999 (New in crate) B&B boat in Flint MI.
2009 2007 Z1 4 stroke $5,000 (New in crate) Heinens Powersports in MN.
2010 2009 Ski-Doo Renegade 800r (New in crate) $7699 Lakeside Powersports in MI.
2011 2008 Arctic Cat F1000 SP (New in crate) $7500 Ken's Sports in WI.
2013 2012 Arctic cat 800 SP (new in crate) $7999 Country Cat in MN.
Moral of the story I guess is too use the internet to find the deal as your needs change. Once a cheap aluminum trailer is purchased it can usually last you a very long time and really not depreciate that much. If you find a new 4 stroke, oil is no longer an expense and fuel efficiency improves. For the fun I have and the stuff I see along the way it's a bargain!
EX:Country cat in MN. has new leftover 4 stroke 1100 SnoPro's for $7999.00 (Close to my 2003 price and no oil expense)
What I paid and when:
2002 2003 Firecat $7699 (local dealer didn't know any better) Valparaiso IN.
2007 2007 F1000 SP $7999 (New in crate) B&B boat in Flint MI.
2009 2007 Z1 4 stroke $5,000 (New in crate) Heinens Powersports in MN.
2010 2009 Ski-Doo Renegade 800r (New in crate) $7699 Lakeside Powersports in MI.
2011 2008 Arctic Cat F1000 SP (New in crate) $7500 Ken's Sports in WI.
2013 2012 Arctic cat 800 SP (new in crate) $7999 Country Cat in MN.
Moral of the story I guess is too use the internet to find the deal as your needs change. Once a cheap aluminum trailer is purchased it can usually last you a very long time and really not depreciate that much. If you find a new 4 stroke, oil is no longer an expense and fuel efficiency improves. For the fun I have and the stuff I see along the way it's a bargain!
EX:Country cat in MN. has new leftover 4 stroke 1100 SnoPro's for $7999.00 (Close to my 2003 price and no oil expense)
snowdance
Member
Great point Skylar. I'm a single parent of two boys. I try to ride with them locally when possible. The last 2 years i've taken my teenage son on 1 trip North. I love taking him and he loves going, but it kills me financially. I can barely afford to go myself and when I take him everything almost doubles financially. Soon, he'll hopefully be able to pay his own way, but then my youngest come of age to start riding. It's not a cheap sport by any means...