by Craig Nicholson, The Intrepid Snowmobiler

Special to the International Snowmobile Media Council - No one is more excited about getting outdoors this winter than snowmobilers. No one is more enthusiastic about going snowmobiling either. And snowmobilers love to show others all the fun and adventure everyone can experience from the seat of a sled. So it stands to reason that existing riders are snowmobiling’s best ambasssadors when it comes to inviting others to try it for the first time.

Building from this premise, the International Snowmobile Media Council (ISMC) has launched a powerful new initiative encouraging snowmobilers to “Take A Friend Snowmobiling” this winter. There’s even a playful new logo to help drive the message home.

Take A Friend Snowmobiling is a proactive, grassroots way for every snowmobiler to help their favorite winter activity grow. The basic idea is for each rider to connect with a potential new participant this winter and take him/her out for a short ride. Experience proves that most folks thoroughly enjoy their first snowmobile outing. They are amazed by the winter scenery, the camaraderie, the fun, the escape from the ordinary — and how easy snowmobiling is. Best of all, many want to go snowmobiling again — and that’s what Take A Friend Snowmobiling is all about!

Take A Friend Snowmobiling is part of a North American-wide Go Snowmobiling Campaign from the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA), targeted to bring new participants on to the snow. The new ISMC initiative is well grounded in recent ISMA Go Snowmobiling research among non-snowmobilers. The results indicate that “Non-owners could easily imagine a positive personal experience on a snowmobile.” and that, “Non-Snowmobilers are surprisingly enthusiastic about snowmobiling. Their enthusiasm rating for going snowmobiling averaged a “9” on a “10 point” scale.” So with the cooperation of individual snowmobilers, Take A Friend Snowmobiling will give these folks that opportunity this winter.

But Take A Friend Snowmobiling isn’t only for individuals. ISMC is also about encouraging snowmobile clubs and dealers to embrace the initiative by setting up Take A Friend Snowmobiling opportunities, open houses and demo events. The more newbies we can get on the snow this winter, the more popular snowmobiling will become.

It’s that simple.

ISMC is uniquely positioned to promote Take A Friend Snowmobiling. ISMC membership comprises most of the vertical snowmobiling publications on the continent. The idea for Take A Friend Snowmobiling came at a summer ISMC meeting at the International Snowmobile Congress, when members were brainstorming ways that the print media could get involved in the national Go Snowmobiling Campaign.

So as an avid snowmobiler, how can you Take A Friend Snowmobiling? It’s as easy as picking up the phone or tapping out an email. Why not get started today by contacting a non-snowmobiling friend and issuing the invitation? It’s never too early to ask. And don’t forget those folks who used to snowmobile and may be ready to get back to it!  How about giving someone a snowmobile ride as a birthday or Christmas present?

There are lots of way to Take A Friend Snowmobiling and I bet you can think of many more. But it all starts with existing riders — that’s you and I — having the passion and the commitment to answer the Take A Friend Snowmobiling call to action! To find out more, click on: gosnowmobiling.org

Until next time, remember to check out my book, “Canada’s Best Snowmobiling: Your Ultimate Ride Guide” at www.snowgoercanada.com

Craig Nicholson is the author of “Canada’s Best Snowmobiling: Your Ultimate Ride Guide” and a regular contributor to Snow Goer, Canada’s Snowmobiling Magazine. The Intrepid Snowmobiler also appears on radio and on Snowmobiler Television. The opinions expressed are solely those of the author. For more info, click on www.intrepidsnowmobiler.com