A Schuss past the Impact of Winter Recreation

Kilometer 2 on the VASA Meadow Trail.

By: Cristin Popelier

Recreation is an important part of life in Northern Michigan!  All seasons offer many opportunities for recreation and generate tourism.  Recreation creates jobs and brings much-needed dollars into the community.  Grand Traverse County, for instance, ranks 7^th in the state with over $235 million in spending on 5 tourism segments, such as motels, camping, seasonal homes, visits with friends, family, and daytrips (Michigan Tourism, 2000).

Winter is a favorite season of mine and the snow brings some of the best outdoor opportunities to our community.  Sure the falling snow may be a nuisance sometimes, especially when you are trying to get from East Bay to Crystal Mountain for a 7 pm race, but who doesn't love the snow?  Here in Northern Michigan we are (finally) blessed with the ample snow necessary for local winter recreation opportunities, like downhill and cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.  I have done the research, in our region, winter sports are a big business, check it out.

The 'Price is Right' RaceTeam at Crystal Mountain.

Downhill Skiing

Schussing down the mountain, the Alberta Clipper wind at my back, snowflakes falling, it was a perfect Thursday evening at Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville. Riiding up the chair lift, I started to think about the economic impact of the 146 racers that compete every week. It must be significant, from the lift tickets, race fees, and beverages, we all contribute to the success of our local economy and Benzie Co. largest employer. I estimated that after $17,000 in lift tickets, $8,700 in racer fees, and $10,000 in beverages we spend somewhere around $35,700. And that's just the adult race league.

Andrew Call, the Race Director, at Crystal Mountain thinks that the race league itself doesn't really make that much money, "but when you factor in the number of season passes, the beverages and sponsors, big money is pouring into Crystal. Not to mention, the college race program with 150 racers, which can generate an estimated $40,000 in lift tickets and $15,000 in food in one season". What about the rest of the ski resorts in the GT Region like Hickory Hills, Shanty Creek/Schuss, The Homestead.

A study by Michigan State University's (MSU) Tourism Area of Expertise team estimates that skiers contributed $267 million to the state's economy in 1994-95 season (Stynes, 2001). There are 42 ski resorts in Michigan and from a survey of resorts, it was estimated that there were 2.2 million skier visits in the 2000-01 season. The survey also found that 15% of the skiers surveyed owned a seasonal home, 54% stay overnight, and 92% said that the primary reason for the trip was skiing or snowboarding, only 29% were local residents. The average amount spent per party, per trip was estimated to be about $335, which includes lift tickets, lessons, equipment, lodgings, food, entertainment, other items at the resort and related spending on groceries, gas, lodging, recreation and other retail items in the local community. Over one million visitors a year were estimated for the 2000-01 season in the Northern Lower Michigan for a total economic impact of $80.2 million in the region (Stynes, 2001).

Cross-country skiing in a family affair on the VASA trail.

Cross-Country Skiing

Rounding the turn on the VASA Meadow Trail an unlikely pair of dogs pulls a cross-country skier.  Called skijoring, this unusual sport combines the instincts of working dogs, with the favorite winter sport of cross-county skiing.

Dating back to the Neolithic age, cross-country skis were first used by hunters in pursuit of food in the winter. The modernized sport has been popularized by Northern Europeans and Americans have made it their own. From the local events like the North American VASA, Women's Winter Tour the White Pine Stampede, are lots of fun, a great work out, and big business in Northern Michigan.

Cross-country skiing can be a competitive or leisurely recreational sport. Those of us who are lucky enough to call Up North home, have access to large network of trails and the nearby Pyatt Lake Natural Area, the VASA Pathway, Hartwick Pines, and Crystal Mountain, are some of my favorites. If you have a favorite trail to share, add a comment below.

Bob Otwell of the TART trials says that, "the VASA trail is a cross-country ski destination for the Midwest. While there are no studies estimating the economic impact of cross-country skiing, money is still being raised for trail maintenance and grooming. In fact, the TART trials have received many grants and over 100 people have purchases grooming badges, and about 30 business and individuals have sponsored a kilometer of the VASA trail system. These donations then go towards winter grooming, which is the largest expense".  A study completed by MSU it was estimated that 9,600 skiers hit the VASA trail in 2003, mostly solo locals, out for recreation and exercise (VASA Trail Study, 2003). 

Another local event, the Women's Winter Tour, despite below zero temperature, welcomed over 600 participants to Crystal Mountain this year. Raising over $75,000 cumulatively since 1999 for Madeline's House of Traverse City, the Women's Resource Center and the Zonta House of Benzie, the event features cross-country skiing, chocolate, wine and women. Kaye Krapohl, the Executive Director of the event says that the, "women who visit Northwest Michigan to engage in the Women's Winter Tour event also enjoy some of the other activities our community offers, like shopping or a day at the spa. In fact, over 35% are coming from outside of the region, from as far as Kansas, Missouri, and West Virginia, hoping to build awareness and increase winter tourism."

Snowmobiling is fun for kids of all ages, including 3 year old Tommy.

Snowmobiling

Over the hill and through the woods to grandmother's house I go...Driving down Mancelona Rd. in Antrim County towards the family cabin, I am reminded yet again that winter is upon us with the arrival of what seemed to be 100's of snowmobile's. The slippery, snow-covered roads and the massive rigs of trailerd ‘sleds' and snowmobiles zipping past Lakes of the North, are all evidence of the arrival of winter. For most of the business owners near Waters, Kalkaska, Lewiston, Lovells and all of the other small snowmobiling towns connected to the Blue Bear Trail, the snowmobile's bring relief and money to the community.

Snowmobiling is big business in Michigan, from spending at hotels and restaurants to ‘sled' rentals and fuel; they pack a big punch into our local economy. There are estimated 200,000-registered snowmobiles in Michigan, according to a study by MSU's Tourism Expertise Team, and over 2.4 million snowmobile days a year (Stynes, 1998). Many of riders, like the brave souls I am related to, are Weekend Warriors, heading up from down state each weekend, in search of snow.

MSU's study estimates that snowmobiles spend about $479 per party on overnight trips, contribute over $168.4 million to Michigan's economy, and create 3,800 jobs directly and indirectly (Stynes, 1998). The highest percentage of snowmobile trip destinations in the state are to Northwestern Michigan, in fact, the study estimated that 31% of snowmobiles are heading to the nearby trails. In addition, 18% of the snowmobiles are from out of state and many are making the trip from southeast Michigan. Snowmobiling accounts for 3% of all tourism spending in the NW region of the state and visitors spend an estimated $27.7 million in this region alone (Stynes, 1998).

Two unlikely dogs, Madison and Aria, pull a courageous cross-country skier.

An Igloo full of Options

Winter recreation abounds in Northern Michigan. There are so many options for getting outdoors to enjoy the snow. The economic impact is large to boot, with down hill skiers contributing $264 million, numerous cross-county events and 2.4 million snowmobile days a year.

Lest I forget to mention all of the other opportunities:

• Ice fishing on Glen Lake,
• Ice skating at Howe Arena,
• Hockey League at Howe Arena,
• Snow tubing at Timberlee Hills,
• Snow shoeing at DeYoung Natural Area,
• Sledding is superb at Indian Woods Park,
• Telemarking at Crystal Mountain,
• Dog sledding races at the Mackinaw Mush,
• Sleigh rides,
• Snow kite boarding,
• Ice carving at Bay Harbor,
• Suds and Snow at Timber Ridge,

All of these winter recreation opportunities collectively generate a healthy active community, excitement, jobs, and income for local businesses.

Did I miss one? Add it Below.

References

Michigan Tourism, Michigan Tourism Spending by County, 2000. http://web4.canr.msu.edu/mgm2/econ/MIindex.htm

Stynes, Daniel J., and YaYen Sun. "Economic Impacts of Michigan Downhill Skiers and Snowboarders 2000-01" Department of Park, Recreation and Tourism Resources, Michigan State University, June 2001.

Stynes, Dainel J., Michigan Tourism Spending by County, 2000. http://web4.canr.msu.edu/mgm2/econ/MIindex.htm

Stynes, Daniel J., Charles M. Nelson and Joel A. Lynch. "State and Regional Economic Impacts of Snowmobiling in Michigan" Department of Park, Recreation and Tourism Resources, Michigan State University, February 1998.

VASA History, 2007. Available at: http://www.vasa.org/history.html

Women's Winter Tour, 2007. Available at: http://www.womenswintertour.com