SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – 12/08
12/8 update- If you subscribe to our trail system on Groomer Tracker, you’re seeing lots of red today. That’s because groomers are parked due to warm temps. It’s does more harm than good to send them out when temps are above 30. I took a solo spin on my sled today to check things out. I left from the Soo on trail 8, to Raco, then to 889 around Bay Mills and then stopped for a bite at one of our awesome supporters- The Cozy Inn in Brimley. 8 from the Soo to Brimley was pretty decent actually, especially for not being groomed last night. There are a few whoops between 5 mile and 20th street, but not bad by any means. The awesome news is that most of those huge chunks of slag rock that were poking up just the other side of 6 mile are buried beneath the base now. 🙌🏼
As always, getting through Brimley on the 1/4 mile from the bridge to where you pick 8 back up stinks. It’s much better when we have fresh snow, but still doable without. The bay is still wide open. 8 from Brimley to Raco was pretty bumpy, with 2 shallow and easily passable wet spots. Also a leaning tree that I’ll let Dave and crew know about. The powerline to Plantation was smooth and fast. I recommend scratchers on this stretch until we get more snow. It’s pretty hard packed. The twisty part of 889 (closest to Bay Mills Resort and Casino) to the Overlook has some whooped corners, but water holes are frozen.
On the return trip, I had some fun in the deep stuff along the powerline to help keep my sled cool. The forest service roads have lots and lots of snow, some totally untouched.
Had a great meal at the Cozy Inn, where it’s extra cozy, all dressed up for Christmas. They said they had a fairly slow weekend. Come on up and support our local businesses! The far eastern UP offers some great riding, without the crowds of many other areas. I saw 8 sleds on my ride today.
A bit of snow, then maybe some mixed precipitation before temps drop again. We are definitely in a great spot now as long as we don’t have prolonged days of warmth and rain. All of that snow made for what is now a great base. We’ll keep you updated! ❄️❄️❄️
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 3/1/26 Happy March everyone! Hard to believe it’s the last (official) month of the season. And what a season it has been! We had another record traffic Saturday, and our operators have been working so hard to keep things as smooth as we can for you. After a long, cold, and windy day on the St Mary’s River at the radar run yesterday, Brimley Bill got a few hours of sleep and then headed out to hit the Mission Hill route. We call this route M40 for our reporting purpsoes. It’s 480 from M28, to 8, to Ranger Rd, and the 889 grade and 889 loop in the Raco and Bay Mills areas. Here’s his report- “I groomed M40 early this morning. Pretty much all of 889 was really beat up. I did my best to cut out all of the bumps. Some of the curves were so bad that I was not able to completely remove all of the bumps, (probably 90% gone.). The trail 8 Powerline and 480 RR Grade were still in pretty good shape. I smoothed out whatever bumps were there.” Thank you, Bill! You’d never know now that hundreds of sleds ran those trails yesterday! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #soo0301#snowphotos... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Expect morning flurries to give way to sunny skies this afternoon over the central and western U.P. Light lake effect snow showers will linger over the eastern U.P., mainly close to Lake Superior. Expect a warm up this week with the warmest temperatures over the west and near the MI/WI state line. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaExpect morning flurries to give way to sunny skies this afternoon over the central and western U.P. Light lake effect snow showers will linger over the eastern U.P., mainly close to Lake Superior. Expect a warm up this week with the warmest temperatures over the west and near the MI/WI state line. ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Lake effect flurries and snow showers are possible today, March 1st, 2026 across some of northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. With dry air mixing in, totals will be relatively kept in check, but a swath of 1-3", perhaps 4" is possible along M-28 south of Grand Marais. Changing wind fields will also allow for light/brief accumulations along some of our lakeshore regions in the Lower Peninsula, but it's not guaranteed for everyone. Timing is through the remainder of the day. Mild temperatures coming later this week, which should help begin the melting process for many. #miweather #keweenaw#munising #newberry #sooLake effect flurries and snow showers are possible today, March 1st, 2026 across some of northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. With dry air mixing in, totals will be relatively kept in check, but a swath of 1-3", perhaps 4" is possible along M-28 south of Grand Marais. Changing wind fields will also allow for light/brief accumulations along some of our lakeshore regions in the Lower Peninsula, but it's not guaranteed for everyone. Timing is through the remainder of the day. Mild temperatures coming later this week, which should help begin the melting process for many.
-- Trusted Partner of the Day -- Mike Hayes Roofing & Siding | Call 810-984-4564 for all your exterior home needs across Sanilac and St. Clair counties! ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Northwest winds will subside through the the day with partly to mostly cloudy skies. Lake effect snow showers are expected in the northwest wind snowbelts, especially over the eastern U.P. where 1 to 3 inches of snowfall is expected. High temperatures will be 10 to 20 degrees below average, coldest in the Keweenaw. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaNorthwest winds will subside through the the day with partly to mostly cloudy skies. Lake effect snow showers are expected in the northwest wind snowbelts, especially over the eastern U.P. where 1 to 3 inches of snowfall is expected. High temperatures will be 10 to 20 degrees below average, coldest in the Keweenaw. ... See MoreSee Less
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 2/28/26 Good morning everyone! While we certainly didn’t need the warm and sun yesterday, our hard working volunteers were itching to go as soon as temps dropped. Our first report comes from Warren- “We went out at 1 AM. Club member Steve & myself at 27 degrees did 480 from the Spile Dam turnaround, and 8 all the way to Brimley and back as well as the electric lines. I think everybody’s gonna be real happy with that, it cleaned up really well. I finished up at about 19° and then left the Groomer for turbo. Turbo is gonna hit the 889 loop and Brimley grade so I think everybody will be ready to go by about 7:30 - 8 o’clock for all of our trails out this way.” Thank you, Warren & Steve!!❄️❄️❄️ Trail 8 from the Soo to Brimley will be done tonight, the city trails were done yesterday, and will be done again tomorrow night. I’ll update when I hear from the Kinross crew as well, but I know that everything was done on Thursday ahead of the warm up. Be safe all and enjoy! Hope to see some of you at the Radar Run at The Cozy Corners Barbeau MI today! The fun starts at noon! See their page for more info! #soo #soo0228#snowphotos... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Strong westerly winds develop this afternoon and evening, with winds gusting up to 60 mph in the Keweenaw and 45 mph for the remainder of the northern UP near the Superior shoreline. Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Temperatures will plummet tonight, setting up a seasonably cold weekend with some light lake effect snow for the northwest wind belts. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Light snowfall brings generally an inch or less to the area today before leaving this evening. Warm & windy conditions show up Friday ahead of a strong cold front coming in Friday night; areas in the Keweenaw & near Lake Superior could see winds gusting to at least 45 mph or more. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLight snowfall brings generally an inch or less to the area today before leaving this evening. Warm & windy conditions show up Friday ahead of a strong cold front coming in Friday night; areas in the Keweenaw & near Lake Superior could see winds gusting to at least 45 mph or more. #906wx #miwx ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Dry with some peeks of sun to start today. Another quick-hitter system passes through this afternoon, bringing some snow showers, some of which could be heavy at times. Be prepared for wintry driving conditions later today! We then briefly trend warm Friday. #miweather #gaylord#cadillac#benzie#traversecity#petoskey #soo #newberryDry with some peeks of sun to start today. Another quick-hitter system passes through this afternoon, bringing some snow showers, some of which could be heavy at times. Be prepared for wintry driving conditions later today! We then briefly trend warm Friday. #MIwx ... See MoreSee Less
SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – 12/07
Well, we didn’t get as far as we hoped on the city trails. Broken tie rod set us back, but where we did go we were able to smooth things out, drag snow into the water holes, and punch through the giant snow mounds that were competely blocking the trail behind Walmart and at Ashmun Bay. Also plowed out the outhouse at the trailhead. We’ll get back out there as soon as we are able. Looks like things are starting to freeze in. I circled where we made it. All other areas of the city trails I cannot speak for, so please use caution! Avoid the high school and Kewadin trail until we can update please! Thanks!
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🚨🚨caution!!🚨🚨 unfortunately, we’re broke down on trail 49 between Ashmun St and Walmart, behind the tribal hospital. Very wet in here too. Avoid the area until we can get out please. Thank you!
Edit- we’re rolling, just have no rear steering. Trail 49 is very messy behind the tribal hospital from just before the T to go toward Kewadin which we are asking you avoid at this time anyway due to unfrozen mud holes. Real bummer because the rest of the trail is really turning out nice. Good news- we have the tie rod that we need and Mike and crew are at the barn waiting for us so she won’t be down long👍🏼
Oh, and it’s snowing❄❄❄
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12/6 update!
Good evening! We are making more progress! Today, Lane and Dennis took the loooong way from the Soo to Kinross by way of trail 8, to 480, to 472. This is because the city trails and trail 49 to Kinross are a wet mess still.
Groomer Jay and I will be doing a small stretch of the city tomorrow just to check it out.
Please remember we are on the Groomer Tracker app so you can see where we’ve been.
Here’s Lane’s report from what I know was a very long day for these guys!
“Dennis and I made the trip to Kinross today. From the Soo to Raco, trail 8 is great. Trail 480 to the Spile Dam area turned out pretty good. There are a couple deep water holes but there is plenty of room to get around them, but use caution. We saw at least 12 sleds riding this trail while we were grooming. We went up to maple farms and then 472 to Kinross. Trails are good except the hazards of the water holes on 480. We removed a lot of trees and brush on the way.”
Thanks guys! We’ll keep updating as we get more open! I always welcome rider reports and pics too!
Another 8” of snow possible through tomorrow. Just need more cold and more time for the rest of our trails. ❄❄❄
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 3/1/26 Happy March everyone! Hard to believe it’s the last (official) month of the season. And what a season it has been! We had another record traffic Saturday, and our operators have been working so hard to keep things as smooth as we can for you. After a long, cold, and windy day on the St Mary’s River at the radar run yesterday, Brimley Bill got a few hours of sleep and then headed out to hit the Mission Hill route. We call this route M40 for our reporting purpsoes. It’s 480 from M28, to 8, to Ranger Rd, and the 889 grade and 889 loop in the Raco and Bay Mills areas. Here’s his report- “I groomed M40 early this morning. Pretty much all of 889 was really beat up. I did my best to cut out all of the bumps. Some of the curves were so bad that I was not able to completely remove all of the bumps, (probably 90% gone.). The trail 8 Powerline and 480 RR Grade were still in pretty good shape. I smoothed out whatever bumps were there.” Thank you, Bill! You’d never know now that hundreds of sleds ran those trails yesterday! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #soo0301#snowphotos... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Expect morning flurries to give way to sunny skies this afternoon over the central and western U.P. Light lake effect snow showers will linger over the eastern U.P., mainly close to Lake Superior. Expect a warm up this week with the warmest temperatures over the west and near the MI/WI state line. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaExpect morning flurries to give way to sunny skies this afternoon over the central and western U.P. Light lake effect snow showers will linger over the eastern U.P., mainly close to Lake Superior. Expect a warm up this week with the warmest temperatures over the west and near the MI/WI state line. ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Lake effect flurries and snow showers are possible today, March 1st, 2026 across some of northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. With dry air mixing in, totals will be relatively kept in check, but a swath of 1-3", perhaps 4" is possible along M-28 south of Grand Marais. Changing wind fields will also allow for light/brief accumulations along some of our lakeshore regions in the Lower Peninsula, but it's not guaranteed for everyone. Timing is through the remainder of the day. Mild temperatures coming later this week, which should help begin the melting process for many. #miweather #keweenaw#munising #newberry #sooLake effect flurries and snow showers are possible today, March 1st, 2026 across some of northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. With dry air mixing in, totals will be relatively kept in check, but a swath of 1-3", perhaps 4" is possible along M-28 south of Grand Marais. Changing wind fields will also allow for light/brief accumulations along some of our lakeshore regions in the Lower Peninsula, but it's not guaranteed for everyone. Timing is through the remainder of the day. Mild temperatures coming later this week, which should help begin the melting process for many.
-- Trusted Partner of the Day -- Mike Hayes Roofing & Siding | Call 810-984-4564 for all your exterior home needs across Sanilac and St. Clair counties! ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Northwest winds will subside through the the day with partly to mostly cloudy skies. Lake effect snow showers are expected in the northwest wind snowbelts, especially over the eastern U.P. where 1 to 3 inches of snowfall is expected. High temperatures will be 10 to 20 degrees below average, coldest in the Keweenaw. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaNorthwest winds will subside through the the day with partly to mostly cloudy skies. Lake effect snow showers are expected in the northwest wind snowbelts, especially over the eastern U.P. where 1 to 3 inches of snowfall is expected. High temperatures will be 10 to 20 degrees below average, coldest in the Keweenaw. ... See MoreSee Less
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 2/28/26 Good morning everyone! While we certainly didn’t need the warm and sun yesterday, our hard working volunteers were itching to go as soon as temps dropped. Our first report comes from Warren- “We went out at 1 AM. Club member Steve & myself at 27 degrees did 480 from the Spile Dam turnaround, and 8 all the way to Brimley and back as well as the electric lines. I think everybody’s gonna be real happy with that, it cleaned up really well. I finished up at about 19° and then left the Groomer for turbo. Turbo is gonna hit the 889 loop and Brimley grade so I think everybody will be ready to go by about 7:30 - 8 o’clock for all of our trails out this way.” Thank you, Warren & Steve!!❄️❄️❄️ Trail 8 from the Soo to Brimley will be done tonight, the city trails were done yesterday, and will be done again tomorrow night. I’ll update when I hear from the Kinross crew as well, but I know that everything was done on Thursday ahead of the warm up. Be safe all and enjoy! Hope to see some of you at the Radar Run at The Cozy Corners Barbeau MI today! The fun starts at noon! See their page for more info! #soo #soo0228#snowphotos... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Strong westerly winds develop this afternoon and evening, with winds gusting up to 60 mph in the Keweenaw and 45 mph for the remainder of the northern UP near the Superior shoreline. Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Temperatures will plummet tonight, setting up a seasonably cold weekend with some light lake effect snow for the northwest wind belts. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Light snowfall brings generally an inch or less to the area today before leaving this evening. Warm & windy conditions show up Friday ahead of a strong cold front coming in Friday night; areas in the Keweenaw & near Lake Superior could see winds gusting to at least 45 mph or more. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLight snowfall brings generally an inch or less to the area today before leaving this evening. Warm & windy conditions show up Friday ahead of a strong cold front coming in Friday night; areas in the Keweenaw & near Lake Superior could see winds gusting to at least 45 mph or more. #906wx #miwx ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Dry with some peeks of sun to start today. Another quick-hitter system passes through this afternoon, bringing some snow showers, some of which could be heavy at times. Be prepared for wintry driving conditions later today! We then briefly trend warm Friday. #miweather #gaylord#cadillac#benzie#traversecity#petoskey #soo #newberryDry with some peeks of sun to start today. Another quick-hitter system passes through this afternoon, bringing some snow showers, some of which could be heavy at times. Be prepared for wintry driving conditions later today! We then briefly trend warm Friday. #MIwx ... See MoreSee Less