Sault Ste. Marie Trail Report – 12/21
SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – 12/21
12/21- winter solstice city trail groom!
Jay and I headed out to hit the city trails, some sections for the very first time this season. Temps ranged from 5 to -1 while we were out, and that worked in our favor in the wet areas. The couple of spots that we busted through should freeze up nicely, and already were on our return trip. We did not go to Kewadin Casino or the high school. Sounds like sleds are now getting through OK, but it’s still too wet for the Tucker and the drag. There is a side road near Kewadin that you can use if you want to avoid the trail until we can get in there. Remember, most city streets are legal to ride.
We made 2 passes in the areas where we had not been previously. It’s still bumpy, but much better than it was. We’ll need at least 2 more passes to get it flat, I’d say.
We are supposed to get a few inches of snow tomorrow into Monday, then we slowly warm up and the potential for rain after Christmas looks likely👎🏼
But, hopefully it’s short lived, and the work we’ve put in to help pack a base will pay off.
We stopped at the I500 track to check their progress. It’s looking great! Especially for 12/21!
There are some frozen ice balls from the city plows near road crossings, and we did what we could to bust ‘em up. You just have to use caution as it is still early season after all.
As always, we’ll keep you posted as things change.
Remember to subscribe to Groomer Tracker to see where we’ve been, and to help support the club.
Thank you to all who support us! ❄️❄️❄️
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Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Facebook Page
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Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/30/25 11 AM
Attention local riders. While we are not asking you to go out, if you are out riding today, please report what you are seeing and any hazards so we can warn others. As we get to all routes, we will also update. As a reminder, the only trails that have been groomed since the storm hit are trail 8 from the Soo to Brimley, and the city trails (49 to Alberta lane and the Don Dee, the I500/ Holiday Inn trail, 449 to Kewadin, and the high school trail).
I just spoke with Bruce who will be hitting the 494 loop south of Kinross, and he’s going to also head north to 12 mile on 49 if he’s able to safely.
I’m still working on getting someone for 49 from the Soo to 12 mile.
The Pisten Bully is still at the Soo barn, so 8 west of Brimley, the Raco powerline, 480 to the Spile Dam gate, and the 889 loop have not been touched. I know that there are monster drifts out that way. Possibly downed trees too. Even very experienced riders are getting stuck across the UP after this strom. PLEASE be very careful!
Again, please see the pinned post about 472/480 construction.
Thank you! #soo
WEATHER UPDATE via Meteorologist Brad Sugden >> Lake effect bands continue to drop up to 5-6"for some this Tuesday! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyLake effect bands continue to drop up to 5-6"for some this Tuesday!
Generator Magic Inc
Michigan Based, Nationwide Shipping
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/29
Trail 8 from the Soo to Brimley update ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #snowphotos
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/29
Last one for tonight! Whew! What a day!
I need to talk with the groomer bosses to find out the game plan for the remaining areas. My earlier video is the best I know right now.
Pete had an excellent run on the city trails, and Jay and I had a great run on 8 from the Soo to Brimley tonight. Temps were perfect for setting things up. We still had heavy snow squalls at times, and drifting will continue overnight, I’m sure.
Thank you for your patience as we try to get to all areas. I know that 49 between the soo and kinross is on everyone’s minds, just as it is mine. I’ll get the scoop tomorrow, now that hopefully most of our volunteers have been able to dig out.
Goodnight! #soo #soo1229b #snowphotos
Really appreciate your updates and efforts to keep us safe and smooth
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/29 5:30 PM update
We are strategizing our grooming plan. Winds are still extremely high, and snow is still falling on and off, causing white out conditions and downed trees, as well as power outages. MANY area businesses remain closed.
The Pisten Bully that normally runs the Brimley, Raco, (part of 480, 8, and the Raco Powerline) and Bay Mills (889) areas is still down at the Soo barn, awaiting a part and a quick repair, so those areas will not be groomed until it’s back out there, hopefully tomorrow.
The Kinross crew is waiting for winds to die down some and then they’ll work on 49 south of M80 and the 494 loop.
Don’t even think about taking 472 west of Mac Trail or 480 to the Spile Dam gate (see the pinned post). Trust us. With next to zero visibility and all of that construction equipment in there, it’s just not a good idea.
I am waiting to hear about trail 49 from the Soo to Kinross. Winds may still be too high to groom that, as there are a ton of open areas and it will not make any difference at all.
We’ll attempt the city trails and trail 8 from the Soo to Brimley later tonight.
We are hearing reports of huge drifts along with downed trees, so it may take a few runs to get things back to normal.
We cannot stress this enough- if for some reason you decide to ride (which we are not advising), do not ride alone. Bring a saw and emergency supplies, and be aware that first responders and tow companies will be very busy and it will be very difficult to help you if you have an issue. Download and use the What3Words app. You never know when you might need it.
All open areas will have monster drifts.
I’m hearing 6’+ in spots.
All road crossings will have huge berms from the plows until we can punch them out.
We have our work cut out for us. Please be patient and more than anything, please be safe!
It’s going to be amazing once we get things back in shape! ❄️❄️❄️
More to come soon! #soo
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lingering lake effect snow and blowing snow tonight, especially in the east. Then, widespread light snow tomorrow with another round of lake effect snow Tuesday night into Wednesday. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLingering lake effect snow and blowing snow tonight, especially in the east. Then, widespread light snow tomorrow with another round of lake effect snow Tuesday night into Wednesday.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Next round of accumulating snow is expected for the snow belts Tue PM through Wed. Several inches of snow is expected across parts of northwest lower and eastern upper Michigan, with a high chance for 4” or more. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberryNext round of accumulating snow is expected for the snow belts Tue PM through Wed. Several inches of snow is expected across parts of northwest lower and eastern upper Michigan, with a high chance for 4” or more.
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/29/25
Hey everyone!
Please know that we will get groomers out as soon as it makes sense to do so, meaning once our volunteers can get themselves and their homes dug out.
As we have been sharing, many area businesses are closed as the entire area tries to dig out. The winds have caused heavy drifting, and we had heavy freezing rain right up until the snow hit overnight. Again, there will be trees down, and you will encounter heavy drifting. Anywhere that trails cross roads will have large berms from plows that you’ll have to navigate. The snow is heavy and wet, and getting stuck is highly likely, especially for less experienced riders.
Please be patient and be cautious. We will get things back into shape as soon as we can, but we need to prioritize our own homes and businesses first.
Things should be awesome once we can get the trails cleared and groomed.
Thanks all! #soo
BRIMLEY - SAULT STE. MARIE AREA via Old Soo Line Grade Lodge >> 12/29/25
Trail 8 - Brimley, MI
Currently showing about 16” on the stick!
Stay safe out there if traveling. #soo #snowphotos
Load more
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/30/25 11 AM
Attention local riders. While we are not asking you to go out, if you are out riding today, please report what you are seeing and any hazards so we can warn others. As we get to all routes, we will also update. As a reminder, the only trails that have been groomed since the storm hit are trail 8 from the Soo to Brimley, and the city trails (49 to Alberta lane and the Don Dee, the I500/ Holiday Inn trail, 449 to Kewadin, and the high school trail).
I just spoke with Bruce who will be hitting the 494 loop south of Kinross, and he’s going to also head north to 12 mile on 49 if he’s able to safely.
I’m still working on getting someone for 49 from the Soo to 12 mile.
The Pisten Bully is still at the Soo barn, so 8 west of Brimley, the Raco powerline, 480 to the Spile Dam gate, and the 889 loop have not been touched. I know that there are monster drifts out that way. Possibly downed trees too. Even very experienced riders are getting stuck across the UP after this strom. PLEASE be very careful!
Again, please see the pinned post about 472/480 construction.
Thank you! #soo
WEATHER UPDATE via Meteorologist Brad Sugden >> Lake effect bands continue to drop up to 5-6"for some this Tuesday! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyLake effect bands continue to drop up to 5-6"for some this Tuesday!
Generator Magic Inc
Michigan Based, Nationwide Shipping
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/29
Trail 8 from the Soo to Brimley update ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #snowphotos
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/29
Last one for tonight! Whew! What a day!
I need to talk with the groomer bosses to find out the game plan for the remaining areas. My earlier video is the best I know right now.
Pete had an excellent run on the city trails, and Jay and I had a great run on 8 from the Soo to Brimley tonight. Temps were perfect for setting things up. We still had heavy snow squalls at times, and drifting will continue overnight, I’m sure.
Thank you for your patience as we try to get to all areas. I know that 49 between the soo and kinross is on everyone’s minds, just as it is mine. I’ll get the scoop tomorrow, now that hopefully most of our volunteers have been able to dig out.
Goodnight! #soo #soo1229b #snowphotos
Really appreciate your updates and efforts to keep us safe and smooth
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/29 5:30 PM update
We are strategizing our grooming plan. Winds are still extremely high, and snow is still falling on and off, causing white out conditions and downed trees, as well as power outages. MANY area businesses remain closed.
The Pisten Bully that normally runs the Brimley, Raco, (part of 480, 8, and the Raco Powerline) and Bay Mills (889) areas is still down at the Soo barn, awaiting a part and a quick repair, so those areas will not be groomed until it’s back out there, hopefully tomorrow.
The Kinross crew is waiting for winds to die down some and then they’ll work on 49 south of M80 and the 494 loop.
Don’t even think about taking 472 west of Mac Trail or 480 to the Spile Dam gate (see the pinned post). Trust us. With next to zero visibility and all of that construction equipment in there, it’s just not a good idea.
I am waiting to hear about trail 49 from the Soo to Kinross. Winds may still be too high to groom that, as there are a ton of open areas and it will not make any difference at all.
We’ll attempt the city trails and trail 8 from the Soo to Brimley later tonight.
We are hearing reports of huge drifts along with downed trees, so it may take a few runs to get things back to normal.
We cannot stress this enough- if for some reason you decide to ride (which we are not advising), do not ride alone. Bring a saw and emergency supplies, and be aware that first responders and tow companies will be very busy and it will be very difficult to help you if you have an issue. Download and use the What3Words app. You never know when you might need it.
All open areas will have monster drifts.
I’m hearing 6’+ in spots.
All road crossings will have huge berms from the plows until we can punch them out.
We have our work cut out for us. Please be patient and more than anything, please be safe!
It’s going to be amazing once we get things back in shape! ❄️❄️❄️
More to come soon! #soo
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lingering lake effect snow and blowing snow tonight, especially in the east. Then, widespread light snow tomorrow with another round of lake effect snow Tuesday night into Wednesday. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLingering lake effect snow and blowing snow tonight, especially in the east. Then, widespread light snow tomorrow with another round of lake effect snow Tuesday night into Wednesday.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Next round of accumulating snow is expected for the snow belts Tue PM through Wed. Several inches of snow is expected across parts of northwest lower and eastern upper Michigan, with a high chance for 4” or more. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberryNext round of accumulating snow is expected for the snow belts Tue PM through Wed. Several inches of snow is expected across parts of northwest lower and eastern upper Michigan, with a high chance for 4” or more.
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/29/25
Hey everyone!
Please know that we will get groomers out as soon as it makes sense to do so, meaning once our volunteers can get themselves and their homes dug out.
As we have been sharing, many area businesses are closed as the entire area tries to dig out. The winds have caused heavy drifting, and we had heavy freezing rain right up until the snow hit overnight. Again, there will be trees down, and you will encounter heavy drifting. Anywhere that trails cross roads will have large berms from plows that you’ll have to navigate. The snow is heavy and wet, and getting stuck is highly likely, especially for less experienced riders.
Please be patient and be cautious. We will get things back into shape as soon as we can, but we need to prioritize our own homes and businesses first.
Things should be awesome once we can get the trails cleared and groomed.
Thanks all! #soo
BRIMLEY - SAULT STE. MARIE AREA via Old Soo Line Grade Lodge >> 12/29/25
Trail 8 - Brimley, MI
Currently showing about 16” on the stick!
Stay safe out there if traveling. #soo #snowphotos
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