SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – 02/22
2/22 just sharing for more confirmation that trail 8 has deteriorated quickly the past 2 days. These are just west of Brimley at Irish Line. Thanks to one of our awesome supporters for sending these. I’m sure it’s not a surprise, but I know it’s good to have a visual, even if it’s not what you want to see.
<>
2/22- I don’t have much to say today since we are obviously not out grooming. Turbo said there were a bunch of trailers at Bay Mills, and he saw 10 sleds at The Cozy Inn. Happy to see folks are out enjoying what’s left and supporting the local establishments! If you’re out there, please feel free to comment what you’re seeing. I hope the tips for the forest service road areas were helpful Cold and a tiny bit of snow tomorrow, but not enough to make any real difference.
I’ll update if there’s anything exciting to share. Be safe if you’re out riding!
Updating this post with a photo of trail 8 in the Soo from 6 pm tonight. It’s not pretty..
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Areas of mixed precipitation continue lifting north this morning, largely becoming sleet and freezing rain through much of the afternoon. Hazardous travel conditions are likely to develop on untreated roads and surfaces! #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #sooAreas of mixed precipitation continue lifting north this morning, largely becoming sleet and freezing rain through much of the afternoon. Hazardous travel conditions are likely to develop on untreated roads and surfaces! ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Key Messages: -A system arriving this morning will bring snow, sleet and freezing rain through early Friday morning. -Moderate to potentially major impacts are anticipated from the combination of snow, freezing rain, and sleet. High travel impacts are expected along with possible power outages and tree damage. -A second system moves through the area Friday night and Saturday bringing another round of mixed precipitation. Similar impacts are possible. -Winter Storm Watches have been issued for all of the UP for the second system, too! #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #sooKey Messages: -A system arriving this morning will bring snow, sleet and freezing rain through early Friday morning. -Moderate to potentially major impacts are anticipated from the combination of snow, freezing rain, and sleet. High travel impacts are expected along with possible power outages and tree damage. -A second system moves through the area Friday night and Saturday bringing another round of mixed precipitation. Similar impacts are possible. -Winter Storm Watches have been issued for all of the UP for the second system, too! ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Winter Storm Watches remain in effect across the entire U.P. for tonight into Thursday. There is the potential for significant snow, sleet and freezing rain (ice) accumulations. The combination of ice on trees/powerlines and wind could result in power outages. At this time, there has been a significant decrease in snow amounts and a trend toward higher ice accumulations. For more details please see our latest weather briefing, www.weather.gov/media/mqt/DssPacket.pdf. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #sooWinter Storm Watches remain in effect across the entire U.P. for tonight into Thursday. There is the potential for significant snow, sleet and freezing rain (ice) accumulations. The combination of ice on trees/powerlines and wind could result in power outages. At this time, there has been a significant decrease in snow amounts and a trend toward higher ice accumulations. For more details please see our latest weather briefing, www.weather.gov/media/mqt/DssPacket.pdf. ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Winter Storm Watches have been issued across the entire U.P. for Wednesday night into Thursday. There is the potential for significant snow, sleet and freezing rain (ice) accumulations. The combination of ice on trees/powerlines and wind could result in power outages. At this time the best chance for accumulating snow is over the northern and western U.P. For more details please see our latest weather briefing, www.weather.gov/media/mqt/DssPacket.pdf. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Tonight, isolated to scattered rain showers are expected across the south and east, with maybe a few thunderstorms across the south. Across the north-central, drizzle and freezing drizzle may occur. Tuesday, conditions evolve mainly to a mix of rain and snow before we see a mostly dry Wednesday. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #sooTonight, isolated to scattered rain showers are expected across the south and east, with maybe a few thunderstorms across the south. Across the north-central, drizzle and freezing drizzle may occur. Tuesday, conditions evolve mainly to a mix of rain and snow before we see a mostly dry Wednesday. ... See MoreSee Less
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 3/30/26 Hello everyone! It’s 41 degrees here in the Soo today with warm sunshine. The melt is definitely on. It’s heard to believe that we were still grooming as of yesterday! What a season! The Tucker that sits in Kinross was brought back to the Soo barn yesterday, and the Pisten Bully just came in to the Soo barn this morning from Raco. It’s so bittersweet as we have SO MUCH snow still on the trails, but our operators deserve some well earned rest, and all good things must come to an end. Tonight, we’re holding our groomer appreciation dinner and I’ll get some pics and maybe some Q & A with some of our operators for you about this season. Once I have all of the March paperwork completed, I’ll also share some stats from the season. We’ll be getting gates closed after the 31st, and some are still really buried in snow, so please know where you are riding after 3/31 and stay off of private property. Trails on state and federal lands do not close but will not be groomed. Be safe if you still choose to ride and be alert to rapidly changing conditions such as water holes opening up. It’s going to be one heck of a mud season this year! As of today, we still have 30” of snow on the ground, with a trail base of over 2’ in many areas🤯 Thank you to all who visited our area, rode our trail system, supported our local businesses, donated to or joined our club, who follow us on Groomer Tracker and here on Facebook, the DNR for finding additional grooming dollars to get us through March, our incredible volunteers and members, and most importantly, the AMAZING landowners who allow us to have the wonderful trail system that we have! Best season ever!!! ❄️❄️❄️ PS- there’s rumor of a big snowstorm late this week😅😂 #soo #soo0330#snowphotos... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Cloud cover increases today ahead of the next batch of wintry precipitation that moves in this evening into the night. By tomorrow, the wintry precipitation will become more confined to the north, while showers and thunderstorms sneak into the southern counties. A few of these storms could even become strong at times with large hail. Further out, snow is expected to return from Wednesday night through Thursday morning, eventually transitioning to a wintry mix again by Thursday afternoon. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #sooCloud cover increases today ahead of the next batch of wintry precipitation that moves in this evening into the night. By tomorrow, the wintry precipitation will become more confined to the north, while showers and thunderstorms sneak into the southern counties. A few of these storms could even become strong at times with large hail. Further out, snow is expected to return from Wednesday night through Thursday morning, eventually transitioning to a wintry mix again by Thursday afternoon. ... See MoreSee Less
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 3/28/26 Good evening!! It was Turbo and Diane’s last run for the season on 889. And they made it a double due to someone thinking they could drive a truck on the trail😔 Here’s what they had to say- “This morning was a little bittersweet, as it was our last groom of the season on trails 480, 8 and 889. I really appreciate what Groomer Mark left for me this morning. The trails were nice and flat and smooth. They need very little to touch them up. Honestly, I believe these trails today are better than they were mid-season. It's really a shame that the season ends April 1st. It snowed the whole time. We got about 4" of new snow. This was our first groom this whole season, where I left a perfect ribbon from start to finish. Not one sled track the whole way. So about 6pm tonight we were driving down Plantation road because Mrs. Turbo saw an eagles nest along the courtesy trail to Bay Mills this morning, and we saw a rescue vehicle sitting on the road just past the beginning of trail 889. So we stopped and waited for the rubber tracked skid loader pulling out a pick up truck. I asked him what they were doing driving on the trail and he said they were going to the Mission Hill overlook. I asked him how bad he tore up the trail getting stuck, and he said it was pretty bad. He tried to turn around and ended up getting stuck. I believe he could have driven the whole trail and been fine. The trails are so hard packed, we couldn't hardly see any tire tracks. So Mrs. Turbo and I went home and got our grooming clothes on and went back out to go fix it. Thankfully, it wasn't as bad as he told us it was. As beautiful as the trails were this morning, we must have had a lot of traffic today, because it was pretty tore up. So, it was actually a good thing we went out. We saw many sleds. All in all, it was a pretty good day. We hope everyone had a great day of riding. Enjoy, these last few days of the season. Remember, ride right, ride safe and ride sober. Turbo” Thank you so much for your extra efforts today, and all season!! Beautiful job!!❄️❄️❄️ #soo #soo0328b#snowphotos... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> AM lake effect snow showers will diminish across the east, but additional snow showers will be possible this afternoon across the northern U.P. After warm and dry days Sunday and Monday, incoming rainfall is expected by late Monday afternoon. High temperatures will top off in the 40s and 50s by Sunday and Monday. The exception will be the northernmost portions of the Keweenaw where upper 30s will linger. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #sooAM lake effect snow showers will diminish across the east, but additional snow showers will be possible this afternoon across the northern U.P. After warm and dry days Sunday and Monday, incoming rainfall is expected by late Monday afternoon. High temperatures will top off in the 40s and 50s by Sunday and Monday. The exception will be the northernmost portions of the Keweenaw where upper 30s will linger. ... See MoreSee Less
SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – 02/21
2/21 5:30 PM update. Ok guys, sun is going down and it’s cooling off a bit but we for sure lost a lot of snow cover today. I plan to drive and look down the trails, and I’ll report what I see. For those that are already here, or are coming no matter what, these are my suggestions on where to stage at to avoid a ton of road riding, or thin trails.
Option 1- Wild Bluff Golf Course at Bay Mills Resort and Casino. The trail is just to the north of the lot, maybe a 1/4 to 1/2 mile. It’ll be a little rough along the road, but it’s a short stretch to the trail. From there, you can hit the 889 loop, be sure to stop and take in the amazing view at Mission Hill Overlook. There are a ton of forest service roads all back in there and all the way through Raco and Strongs. Be sure to stop in to Sacy’s Restaurant for an excellent breakfast or dinner, and also Back Bay Grill and Games for lunch or dinner. It’s a quick walk right across the street from Wild Bluff.
Option 2- Park at Waboose Ski Trail head off of Ranger Rd, 2.5 miles north of M28. This is where the ORV route comes in, and again, tons of two tracks and forest service roads all back in there.
Option 3- there is a small parking area on the north side of M28, east of Strongs Corner. That is right on trail 47 which I have heard is not good (rocks mixed with snirt) but again, the forest service roads are also right there. There’s a place a little further down on M28 where you can cross over to south of M28 and hit all of those forest service roads too.
For maps, you’re on your own. You can see most of them on the Polaris Ride Command app. I’m sure also on VV Mapping, or similar. Also the Hiawatha National Forest website. This is the Sault Ste Marie sector.
Cell service can be spotty out there. Please download the what3words app and start it before you head out. Doing so should allow you to still pull up the 3 words that are assigned to your location in the event of an emergency. You can also text 911 with very little signal.
Please be mindful of signs that say no snomobiles or private property, and don’t trespass. Also be mindful of forest plantations.
Last but certainly not least, before or after you ride, please stop in and support the local businesses that have been here for all of us, snow or no snow. Who knows if this is the end of the season or not, but it’s been a very, very tough winter for area businesses.
Please be safe! It’s spring conditions for sure as of today, mixed with early season little to no base on the trails.
Let us know if you have questions and we’ll try to help.
Oh and if you appreciate what we do, we’d be so grateful for a donation! You can do so at www.sootrails.org. We are all unpaid volunteers. Thanks guys!
<>
2/21 mid afternoon update- it’s 45 degrees and sunny today. Boo! I’m not out riding so I can’t tell you what the trails look like, but I would bet they are getting soft and burning down in the thin areas. The icicles on my house are rapidly melting. I still show 9” of snow here at my house (down from 14” on Sunday) If you’re out riding our area today, please comment on this post or message us so that we can help others know what’s going on out there. Thanks!
<>
2/21 – good morning all! This is from yesterday, but I just got it. Our newest groomer recently retired after he sold his John Deere dealership in Ohio, so his nickname is Tractor Tim😉 He headed out yesterday on the power lines, also 889, and part of 480. Here’s what he had to say-
“Yesterday, we groomed 480 to the Spile Dam turnaround , 8 from Brimley turn off to Ranger rd (the power lines), & the Mission Hill loop (889) down to Bay Mills resort. The power lines are thin but very rideable . All of the other trails are good to very good . Big Thanks to Trainer Raco Dave , Turbo and my wife Melissa for riding shotgun”
Thanks for your time Tim! We are happy to have you aboard!
Videos in the comments.
I will update you all later. Grooming has been suspended until further notice, as things are about as good as they can get with the minimal snow we have and warmer temps today.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Areas of mixed precipitation continue lifting north this morning, largely becoming sleet and freezing rain through much of the afternoon. Hazardous travel conditions are likely to develop on untreated roads and surfaces! #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #sooAreas of mixed precipitation continue lifting north this morning, largely becoming sleet and freezing rain through much of the afternoon. Hazardous travel conditions are likely to develop on untreated roads and surfaces! ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Key Messages: -A system arriving this morning will bring snow, sleet and freezing rain through early Friday morning. -Moderate to potentially major impacts are anticipated from the combination of snow, freezing rain, and sleet. High travel impacts are expected along with possible power outages and tree damage. -A second system moves through the area Friday night and Saturday bringing another round of mixed precipitation. Similar impacts are possible. -Winter Storm Watches have been issued for all of the UP for the second system, too! #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #sooKey Messages: -A system arriving this morning will bring snow, sleet and freezing rain through early Friday morning. -Moderate to potentially major impacts are anticipated from the combination of snow, freezing rain, and sleet. High travel impacts are expected along with possible power outages and tree damage. -A second system moves through the area Friday night and Saturday bringing another round of mixed precipitation. Similar impacts are possible. -Winter Storm Watches have been issued for all of the UP for the second system, too! ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Winter Storm Watches remain in effect across the entire U.P. for tonight into Thursday. There is the potential for significant snow, sleet and freezing rain (ice) accumulations. The combination of ice on trees/powerlines and wind could result in power outages. At this time, there has been a significant decrease in snow amounts and a trend toward higher ice accumulations. For more details please see our latest weather briefing, www.weather.gov/media/mqt/DssPacket.pdf. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #sooWinter Storm Watches remain in effect across the entire U.P. for tonight into Thursday. There is the potential for significant snow, sleet and freezing rain (ice) accumulations. The combination of ice on trees/powerlines and wind could result in power outages. At this time, there has been a significant decrease in snow amounts and a trend toward higher ice accumulations. For more details please see our latest weather briefing, www.weather.gov/media/mqt/DssPacket.pdf. ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Winter Storm Watches have been issued across the entire U.P. for Wednesday night into Thursday. There is the potential for significant snow, sleet and freezing rain (ice) accumulations. The combination of ice on trees/powerlines and wind could result in power outages. At this time the best chance for accumulating snow is over the northern and western U.P. For more details please see our latest weather briefing, www.weather.gov/media/mqt/DssPacket.pdf. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Tonight, isolated to scattered rain showers are expected across the south and east, with maybe a few thunderstorms across the south. Across the north-central, drizzle and freezing drizzle may occur. Tuesday, conditions evolve mainly to a mix of rain and snow before we see a mostly dry Wednesday. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #sooTonight, isolated to scattered rain showers are expected across the south and east, with maybe a few thunderstorms across the south. Across the north-central, drizzle and freezing drizzle may occur. Tuesday, conditions evolve mainly to a mix of rain and snow before we see a mostly dry Wednesday. ... See MoreSee Less
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 3/30/26 Hello everyone! It’s 41 degrees here in the Soo today with warm sunshine. The melt is definitely on. It’s heard to believe that we were still grooming as of yesterday! What a season! The Tucker that sits in Kinross was brought back to the Soo barn yesterday, and the Pisten Bully just came in to the Soo barn this morning from Raco. It’s so bittersweet as we have SO MUCH snow still on the trails, but our operators deserve some well earned rest, and all good things must come to an end. Tonight, we’re holding our groomer appreciation dinner and I’ll get some pics and maybe some Q & A with some of our operators for you about this season. Once I have all of the March paperwork completed, I’ll also share some stats from the season. We’ll be getting gates closed after the 31st, and some are still really buried in snow, so please know where you are riding after 3/31 and stay off of private property. Trails on state and federal lands do not close but will not be groomed. Be safe if you still choose to ride and be alert to rapidly changing conditions such as water holes opening up. It’s going to be one heck of a mud season this year! As of today, we still have 30” of snow on the ground, with a trail base of over 2’ in many areas🤯 Thank you to all who visited our area, rode our trail system, supported our local businesses, donated to or joined our club, who follow us on Groomer Tracker and here on Facebook, the DNR for finding additional grooming dollars to get us through March, our incredible volunteers and members, and most importantly, the AMAZING landowners who allow us to have the wonderful trail system that we have! Best season ever!!! ❄️❄️❄️ PS- there’s rumor of a big snowstorm late this week😅😂 #soo #soo0330#snowphotos... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Cloud cover increases today ahead of the next batch of wintry precipitation that moves in this evening into the night. By tomorrow, the wintry precipitation will become more confined to the north, while showers and thunderstorms sneak into the southern counties. A few of these storms could even become strong at times with large hail. Further out, snow is expected to return from Wednesday night through Thursday morning, eventually transitioning to a wintry mix again by Thursday afternoon. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #sooCloud cover increases today ahead of the next batch of wintry precipitation that moves in this evening into the night. By tomorrow, the wintry precipitation will become more confined to the north, while showers and thunderstorms sneak into the southern counties. A few of these storms could even become strong at times with large hail. Further out, snow is expected to return from Wednesday night through Thursday morning, eventually transitioning to a wintry mix again by Thursday afternoon. ... See MoreSee Less
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 3/28/26 Good evening!! It was Turbo and Diane’s last run for the season on 889. And they made it a double due to someone thinking they could drive a truck on the trail😔 Here’s what they had to say- “This morning was a little bittersweet, as it was our last groom of the season on trails 480, 8 and 889. I really appreciate what Groomer Mark left for me this morning. The trails were nice and flat and smooth. They need very little to touch them up. Honestly, I believe these trails today are better than they were mid-season. It's really a shame that the season ends April 1st. It snowed the whole time. We got about 4" of new snow. This was our first groom this whole season, where I left a perfect ribbon from start to finish. Not one sled track the whole way. So about 6pm tonight we were driving down Plantation road because Mrs. Turbo saw an eagles nest along the courtesy trail to Bay Mills this morning, and we saw a rescue vehicle sitting on the road just past the beginning of trail 889. So we stopped and waited for the rubber tracked skid loader pulling out a pick up truck. I asked him what they were doing driving on the trail and he said they were going to the Mission Hill overlook. I asked him how bad he tore up the trail getting stuck, and he said it was pretty bad. He tried to turn around and ended up getting stuck. I believe he could have driven the whole trail and been fine. The trails are so hard packed, we couldn't hardly see any tire tracks. So Mrs. Turbo and I went home and got our grooming clothes on and went back out to go fix it. Thankfully, it wasn't as bad as he told us it was. As beautiful as the trails were this morning, we must have had a lot of traffic today, because it was pretty tore up. So, it was actually a good thing we went out. We saw many sleds. All in all, it was a pretty good day. We hope everyone had a great day of riding. Enjoy, these last few days of the season. Remember, ride right, ride safe and ride sober. Turbo” Thank you so much for your extra efforts today, and all season!! Beautiful job!!❄️❄️❄️ #soo #soo0328b#snowphotos... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> AM lake effect snow showers will diminish across the east, but additional snow showers will be possible this afternoon across the northern U.P. After warm and dry days Sunday and Monday, incoming rainfall is expected by late Monday afternoon. High temperatures will top off in the 40s and 50s by Sunday and Monday. The exception will be the northernmost portions of the Keweenaw where upper 30s will linger. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #sooAM lake effect snow showers will diminish across the east, but additional snow showers will be possible this afternoon across the northern U.P. After warm and dry days Sunday and Monday, incoming rainfall is expected by late Monday afternoon. High temperatures will top off in the 40s and 50s by Sunday and Monday. The exception will be the northernmost portions of the Keweenaw where upper 30s will linger. ... See MoreSee Less