BY VALERIE TUCKER

Correspondent

Maine's snowmobiling industry generated $350 million last year for the state economy. With lower gas prices, this year should be another strong one.

That's the hope of Cliff Kramer, his brother Eric, and sister, Kim Kramer McAvoy. They own Kramer's Inc. in Sidney, a business started by their father in 1966. They carry the Arctic Cat snowmobile line and are optimistic about this year's sales and service figures.

"We had more snow earlier last year, but in general, the public is buying," he said. "Our service and parts departments have been very busy."

Kramer's buoyant philosophy of making the most of the economic changes might mean customers aren't buying the most expensive sled. They might decide to delay purchasing a new one but bring in their old sled for repairs, instead, he said.

The Maine Snowmobile Association's executive director, Robert Meyers, said the wobbly economy isn't stopping local snowmobilers from taking a ride on the Interconnected Trail System.

The ITS is a joint effort of the association and the Snowmobile Division of the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, Department of Conservation. The 3,500 miles of trails have been created through the efforts of the snowmobile clubs, the Snowmobile Division, local municipalities, supporting businesses and landowners throughout the state who allow access to snowmobilers. Many communities contribute to the maintenance of snowmobile trails because of the extra business it generates.

Meyers, who spent time last week cruising on his own snowmobile, said last year's record snowfall generated a lot of enthusiasm for the sport that has carried over into this year's season.

"Last year's non-resident licenses increased 36 percent, and if we have the weather, people out of state will be coming back," he said.

"Snowmobilers might not choose to make longer trips, and many may decide to stay closer to home on shorter trips."

Having early snow in Maine encourages outdoor buffs to travel north for Christmas holidays, giving an early boost to the winter economy, Meyers said.

"Snowmobilers want to have fun, and people will find a way to get outdoors, even if their budgets are tighter," he said. "Last year, we set a record in the state with 102,000 registrations, and this year appears to be strong."

Josh Miville, sales manager of Chase Toys Inc. in Unity, agreed, saying that although spending might be down, snowmobiling is an itch that needs to be scratched.

"People flip-flop, selling their snowmobiles in September, and then buying something in January," he said. "Our used-equipment inventory has been selling well, and we're doing lots of service work."

Snowmobile rentals allow the option of riding when and where people want without the financial strain of maintenance and repair. Mike Labbe owns Dana's Rentals in Jackman with his son, and he is happy with the season's brisk business.

"We get the earliest snow in the state, and we usually have great snowmobile conditions until late April," Labbe said. "This year, people have been coming up from other parts of New England, because their snow has melted."

He said the cost of a day's rental can average $210 to $240, but in his 15 years in business, he has seen the market growing steadily.

"We're on ITS No. 89, so people can walk in and rent a Polaris or Ski-Doo and get right out on the trail in front of our door," he said.

Businesses in Maine take care of snowmobilers all winter long. More than 2,200 Maine businesses support the trails through supporting memberships in their local clubs, according to the Maine Snowmobile Association's figures.

Communities benefit from the snowmobiling economy when riders stay in motels and inns, eat at the local restaurants, rent snowmobiles and trailers and buy gasoline.

They need repairs and parts and guide services.