The Economic Value of Sledding in Fernie

The Fernie Snowmobile Association commissioned a micro-economic impact study to better understand the value of sledding in Fernie, BC. The report, completed by MNP Accountancy and Business Consultants, showcased that sledding plays a critical role in the economic diversity and health of our local community. Overall, it was found that snowmobiling contributed $11.6 million dollars in annual economic output to Fernie, creates 75 full-time equivalent jobs, and provides $956,000 in government revenue. The study further highlighted that the FSA has provided over three-quarters of a million dollars in local recreation infrastructure to the community and represents 15,000 trail user days between the months of December to March each year.

SNOWMOBILING STATISTICS

In 2022, there were 114, 674 registered snowmobiles in AB, BC, SK and WA. New snowmobile sales in Canada were 50,943 in 2022 and 50,567 in 2021 which was a 16% increase from the highest year on record (2000), according to the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association.

In 2019 the BC Snowmobile Federation completed an economic impact study to better understand the dollar value brought to the province by the snowmobile industry. Since then, some of the largest clubs in the province have completed additional studies breaking down the local scale of these positive impacts. Learn more HERE.