What's your long term forecast for the sport of snowmobiling 25-30 years from now?
- Thread starter scoot
- Start date
groomerdriver
New member
In the USA, "trail" riding will be limited to private property and only on what will be vintage sleds. The liberal left and their lobbyists will be successful in closing off all public lands out west and in Alaska, so no more mountain riding.
Not sure if it will ever happen, but I would love to see electric powered sleds with a weight to HP ratio that they have now with 2 stroke. Would be awesome to tool through the woods with only the track and skis making a sound (basically nothing in deep powder). That would also likely let a lot of air out of the balloons for the enviro extremists.
Bottom line is, I think in 20-25 years from now, we will be looking back at the sleds of these days and say things like: "Can you believe we thought those things were state of the art?!"
-John
Bottom line is, I think in 20-25 years from now, we will be looking back at the sleds of these days and say things like: "Can you believe we thought those things were state of the art?!"
-John
X2 no idea where sled sled tech will be in 20-25 years. Will public trails be more difficult to find?... heck yes. I'll be long gone and lots of boomers will be in the home with me talking about the good ole days when there were gasoline cars & 2s engines...lol.
I think technology will continue to advance and the prices to increase on new models. Fewer public trails but I think the State Corridors will remain. Off trail in the Midwest will most likely be very limited as the population grows, small communities expand further and private landowners will be more sensitive.
...and if you listen to CNN and Accuweather you're told that Climate Change will turn Wisconsin into a barren desert and we'll all be riding Camels. Hand signals will be mandatory.
...and if you listen to CNN and Accuweather you're told that Climate Change will turn Wisconsin into a barren desert and we'll all be riding Camels. Hand signals will be mandatory.
I hope I'm wrong but I think the sport is going to die. I say this with great sadness but as the price of sleds continue to sky rocket which also includes the $50.00 gallon of oil, more and more people can't afford this sport. Not to mention the truck and trailer and your 1k klim wear. That being said the sport also suffers from the warming winters as well as local, state, and DNR regulations to ban more and more riding area's. The other sad thing is this was a family sport years ago and with the decline of the American family (more single parents) this type of hobby isn't likely to carry on. We have seen this with fishing and hunting. Northern states continue to loose small towns and business, with out these towns we loose our local voice and support for the sport. Please tell me I'm wrong.
G
G
Guest
The climate change is real. Average dates of first frosts are all getting later at least in these parts. The farmers are growing crops up here now that never used to be possible because of short growing seasons. 25 years ago there was no corn here. Now it is commonplace. Part of it is new varieties but there is no question that we have a longer growing season. If you look at the last ten years thee has been a lot of snow chasing. It used to be that Wisc and Mich were sure things. Not anymore. In the next ten years plus this trend will continue. There are very few new young trail riders. The price of new stuff has something to do with this. New stuff isn't going to get cheaper. When we snow-geezers are finally done there is going to be nobody to actively fight to keep the trail system. In 25 years all that will be left is snowbikes and vintage rides.
I am as depressed from your post as the time my brother told me about santa. Your definetly a glass half full guy. Snowmobiling imo will never die it will evolve like everything else. Americans love their leasure time, and snow days will always be the best days.
skiroule
Well-known member
25 - 30 years....Let's see, 25 from today would put me at 92 (well actually 91 years, 11 months). Not sure what I would be riding at that point but the odds are good it will have an electric motor and a top speed of 3 mph.
It seems like every few years a pretty significant improvement occurs and if manufacturers stay in the game I suspect that this will continue. I don't know about numbers but we like our toys so there will most likely be a market.
One thing is for sure, snowmobiling will always have its detractors, as this is nothing new. This is from the owner's manual for my 1979 TX and I thought it was pretty interesting, considering it was written 47 years ago:
“Polaris recommends that you drive your snowmobile with consideration given to the protection and preservation of our environment. As the number of snowmobilers has increased in the past few years, so have the critics, challenging snowmobilers on the seeming lack of concern for the very environment the claim is theirs to enjoy.”
It seems like every few years a pretty significant improvement occurs and if manufacturers stay in the game I suspect that this will continue. I don't know about numbers but we like our toys so there will most likely be a market.
One thing is for sure, snowmobiling will always have its detractors, as this is nothing new. This is from the owner's manual for my 1979 TX and I thought it was pretty interesting, considering it was written 47 years ago:
“Polaris recommends that you drive your snowmobile with consideration given to the protection and preservation of our environment. As the number of snowmobilers has increased in the past few years, so have the critics, challenging snowmobilers on the seeming lack of concern for the very environment the claim is theirs to enjoy.”
The way it's going, lodging, fuel stops and eating/drinking establishments will be almost non-existent in the snow belts. Most resorts will be condo'd out. A few hotels will remain. A lot of gas stations are already closed, as are tons of bars and restaurants. There aren't as many people willing to take on these businesses and once they do, it's almost impossible to get out of them. The businesses drive the support for the trail system. No businesses--no voice, no volunteers, no vested interest...at some point, if the regions want to keep snowmobiling alive, it will have to partner with the government and that will be a mess. The days of taking the family to the Northwoods for outdoor vacations are dying. Now everyone wants to go to Disneyland or sit inside and play video games.
snobuilder
Well-known member
Thanks for your post...I had the gun cocked to my head after reading the posts before yours.
This site is full of silly old decrepit negative hosers.
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xsledder
Active member
Kids sports are biting into snowmobiling too. My kid's travel baseball is year round with practices two nights a week and Saturdays. Also, high school sports are getting too demanding. My son was told by the coach that if your family is taking a vacation over spring break don't try out for the team. Wasn't there a time when high school didn't interfere with school breaks?
snobuilder
Well-known member
Yes...BEFORE HELICOPTER PARENTS TOOK OVER.
Why did you edit? I'm ok with you thinking we are losers. Your opinion means zip lol.
In 25 years it wont change that much. Of course the sleds will evolve...maybe electric? There will be less trails due to more building but come on things wont change that drastically. How much has changed since 1990? Better suspension and engine tech. Same principal. Oh and better grooming! 100 years from now might be a different story.