HALIBURTON, ON – Snowmobile associations are reporting a serious uptick in money generated as a result of the winter activity.
A recent study done by the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs found that snowmobiling generates between $1.6 and $3.3 billion. This prompted the Haliburton County Snowmobile Association to share some local figures.
According to John Enright, the Director of HCSA, 225 residents directly or indirectly make a living off of snowmobilers.
He says that last year alone, $1.2 million was spent on accommodations, and twice that much in local restaurants around the county.
Enright says that snowmobilers spent $1.7 million on general retail, and $650,000 was spent at local supermarkets.
According to Enright, all told, snowmobilers spent $29 million locally.
Enright closes with “The Haliburton County Snowmobile Association thinks these numbers could even be higher based on traffic counts last season and the great weather. The not – for – profit HCSA says the county would do better of area businesses got more snowmobile friendly.”