Sault Ste. Marie Trail Report – 01/16
SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – 01/15
1/15- city trail update
Groomer Jay and I were asked to try and groom the city trails today, the first groom here this season. We know these trails well, and the many challenges we face in early season conditions. Knowing that the Soo only has maybe 9” TOTAL on the ground, we decided to take the sleds out first to check things out.
As suspected, much of the city trail system is very thin, down to an inch of packed snow, dirt, and leaves. The areas where we see heavy drifts were very moguled, and much of the area was only a sled and half wide due to tall grasses and tag alders that are normally knocked down by snow by now. We knew we had to at least get out and try to define and widen the trail. We also wanted to check on and widen the trail behind Kewadin to make sure there are no open mud and water holes. Good news there as it was all frozen.
We set out under under a beautiful sunset, but that’s where the beauty stopped. Through the tunnel, and up to the airport fence is super thin and bumpy. There’s literally nothing we can do there. We just need snow. Along the airport, we were able to smooth out most of the moguls caused by drifting, so that’s good. We also groomed the courtesy trail to the I-500 track and the Holiday Inn, widening it and defining the edges. Then we headed across the business spur and did what we could to widen 49 behind Walmart and to the DonDee Lanes. Next up, we made our way to the new section of 449 toward Seymour, the high school, and Kewadin Casino. The new section from the intersection is beautiful! Nice and wide. Sault Tribe Construction did a great job cutting this trail for us! There was a giant snow pile somewhat blocking the trail, so we helped ourselves to some of it to add to the trail LOL.
Next, 449 to Kewadin. We knocked down the cattails and groomed the path where the trail is supposed to be so that riders can stay on the correct path. Next up, the part right behind Kewadin where we had a heck of a time last season with flowing creeks. Jay was able to grab snow along the edges and push it into the 3 ditches that give us issues. Not pretty, but so much better! Sleds will have no issues getting through there. It’s just thin, like the rest of the city trails. We also hit the high school trail, widening it to where it should be.
All in all, these trails are poor. If we didn’t have to ride them earlier, we wouldn’t have, but we saw 23 sleds on our run so folks are still riding. You just have to know that they’re not good. Take it easy and know that you are riding on a very thin base, and some tree roots and other hazards may be exposed in places.
We did not go to the trailhead at Ashmun Bay on trail 8. There simply is not enough snow to make it worth it.
Wish I had better news for this part of our system, but we just didn’t get the snow needed to make them good. A bit of good news it that it is super cold, so any water spots on this part of our trails are long gone.
Sorry to be a downer, just being as honest as possible. This was easily the worst groom ever for us.
I’ll keep you posted! Pray, dance, sing or whatever it is you do for snow. We need it badly!❄️❄️❄️
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Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Trail Report on MSA
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WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Snow will continue today, with periods of moderate to heavy snowfall expected across portions of north-central and western Upper Michigan. Travel impacts abate tonight with lake effect snow becoming light into Sunday. By Sunday afternoon, a shot of widespread snow will be followed by strong winds and lake effect. The snow in this period will change to the kind that blows around really easily. Expect hazardous travel conditions Sunday night and Monday. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake Effect Snow through Saturday; Cold and Windy with Reduced Visibility Sunday Night/Monday... #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 1/16/26
OG (original groomer) Ben is back!
He did his first solo run of the season on the city trails today and had an interesting run!
Here’s what he had to say-
“Finished the city trails. Things started out great, trails were flattening out great and are in so much better condition than they were last weekend. I did open up a couple of spots between the high school and the casino but they all filled in with the drag so it shouldn’t affect any sledders. Got to talk to a porcupine near the high school trail which is groomed now. There are some ice chunks in that area so be aware. It is flat but it’s lumpy in spots still. More snow and that’ll clean up really nice again. Beyond that, I had a giant branch fall on me just before the turn to Don Dee Lanes. It wasn’t a branch that I hit with the groomer either, I just happened to look back and see it fall behind the drag. Weird. Took a little time to clean that up. Long story short, trails are in good shape. And finally a picture of my Bluetooth playlist while grooming. Smooth operator indeed.”
Great work, Ben! We’re happy to have you back in the saddle! ❄️❄️❄️
Video in the comments from Anita who saw Ben from her workplace😊 #soo #soo0116b #snowphotos
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 1/16/26
Good morning all! Light snow flurries have begun, and the frigid temps continue.
We do have one machine down that does the kinross area, and I’ll keep you posted on that.
Zeke ran trail 8 from Raco to Brimley last night, and 480 from the Spile Dam to 8.
Things are pretty flat everywhere, with some wet spots still giving us trouble in the swamps. Keep an eye out, especially on 49.
Ride safe! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #soo0116 #snowphotos1/16/26
Good morning all! Light snow flurries have begun, and the frigid temps continue.
We do have one machine down that does the kinross area, and I’ll keep you posted on that.
Zeke ran trail 8 from Raco to Brimley last night, and 480 from the Spile Dam to 8.
Things are pretty flat everywhere, with some wet spots still giving us trouble in the swamps. Keep an eye out, especially on 49.
Ride safe! ❄️❄️❄️
WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> This is our last call snowfall outlook for FRIDAY ONLY, January 16th, 2026. Snow has begun across parts of the UP, and will begin for the rest of the state over the course of the next 12 hours.... #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyThis is our last call snowfall outlook for FRIDAY ONLY, January 16th, 2026. Snow has begun across parts of the UP, and will begin for the rest of the state over the course of the next 12 hours.
A clipper will bring a mixture of synoptic snow and lake effect snow for the entirety of Michigan. This is the first of multiple clippers between now and Monday. Lake effect areas may see totals into the 4-8" zone, with localized heavier totals possible along the Porcupine Mountains in the western UP. We DO have ample moisture on our atmospheric profiles for tomorrow, but the forcing is still suspect, so a solid blanket of 1-4" of snow, with isolated higher totals close to half a foot should occur by the end of our day Friday. The greatest chance at an area underachieving is in... guess what... southeast Michigan. Monroe and Lenawee counties specifically were in the T-1" zone at first call, but with a more-moist profile expected tomorrow, all locations (in an ideal world) should at least hit 1". We are also watching for the development of freezing drizzle mixing in, primarily in the Lower Peninsula as low-level temperatures favor this phenomena. Now, drizzle would hinder totals, but significantly increase travel issues as roads get coated with both the drizzle and the wet snow. We will have a freezing drizzle accumulation map out tomorrow morning.
Winds gusting 25-35 mph at times, primarily out of the west. Some snow squalls will mix in, which for those who don't remember, snow squalls exist to only cause headaches. These narrow bands of snow drop visibility from open skies to mere feet in the matter of seconds, which is never good, especially on fast-moving roadways. A snow squall can put down as much as a quick inch in 15-30 minutes at their peak intensity. Both morning and evening commutes will be impacted by snow or drizzle. Let's hope we don't light up the MDOT drive map with 25 accidents this time around, so please take your time. Give yourself that extra hour to travel, especially in instances of forced slow downs.
-- Trusted Partner of the Day --
Rainbow Restoration | 616-583-1234, call today for all your restoration needs in the Grand Rapids regional area!
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A couple rounds of heavy lake effect snow will develop first across Luce County tonight through tomorrow, then across the western U.P./Keweenaw tomorrow into Saturday afternoon. Winter Weather Advisories and Warnings are in effect from tonight through Saturday afternoon. Greatest snowfall accumulations are expected across the higher terrain west of a line from Ironwood to White Plains, and from Mass City to Painesdale. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA couple rounds of heavy lake effect snow will develop first across Luce County tonight through tomorrow, then across the western U.P./Keweenaw tomorrow into Saturday afternoon. Winter Weather Advisories and Warnings are in effect from tonight through Saturday afternoon. Greatest snowfall accumulations are expected across the higher terrain west of a line from Ironwood to White Pine, and from Mass City to Painesdale.
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WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Snow will continue today, with periods of moderate to heavy snowfall expected across portions of north-central and western Upper Michigan. Travel impacts abate tonight with lake effect snow becoming light into Sunday. By Sunday afternoon, a shot of widespread snow will be followed by strong winds and lake effect. The snow in this period will change to the kind that blows around really easily. Expect hazardous travel conditions Sunday night and Monday. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake Effect Snow through Saturday; Cold and Windy with Reduced Visibility Sunday Night/Monday... #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 1/16/26
OG (original groomer) Ben is back!
He did his first solo run of the season on the city trails today and had an interesting run!
Here’s what he had to say-
“Finished the city trails. Things started out great, trails were flattening out great and are in so much better condition than they were last weekend. I did open up a couple of spots between the high school and the casino but they all filled in with the drag so it shouldn’t affect any sledders. Got to talk to a porcupine near the high school trail which is groomed now. There are some ice chunks in that area so be aware. It is flat but it’s lumpy in spots still. More snow and that’ll clean up really nice again. Beyond that, I had a giant branch fall on me just before the turn to Don Dee Lanes. It wasn’t a branch that I hit with the groomer either, I just happened to look back and see it fall behind the drag. Weird. Took a little time to clean that up. Long story short, trails are in good shape. And finally a picture of my Bluetooth playlist while grooming. Smooth operator indeed.”
Great work, Ben! We’re happy to have you back in the saddle! ❄️❄️❄️
Video in the comments from Anita who saw Ben from her workplace😊 #soo #soo0116b #snowphotos
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 1/16/26
Good morning all! Light snow flurries have begun, and the frigid temps continue.
We do have one machine down that does the kinross area, and I’ll keep you posted on that.
Zeke ran trail 8 from Raco to Brimley last night, and 480 from the Spile Dam to 8.
Things are pretty flat everywhere, with some wet spots still giving us trouble in the swamps. Keep an eye out, especially on 49.
Ride safe! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #soo0116 #snowphotos1/16/26
Good morning all! Light snow flurries have begun, and the frigid temps continue.
We do have one machine down that does the kinross area, and I’ll keep you posted on that.
Zeke ran trail 8 from Raco to Brimley last night, and 480 from the Spile Dam to 8.
Things are pretty flat everywhere, with some wet spots still giving us trouble in the swamps. Keep an eye out, especially on 49.
Ride safe! ❄️❄️❄️
WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> This is our last call snowfall outlook for FRIDAY ONLY, January 16th, 2026. Snow has begun across parts of the UP, and will begin for the rest of the state over the course of the next 12 hours.... #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyThis is our last call snowfall outlook for FRIDAY ONLY, January 16th, 2026. Snow has begun across parts of the UP, and will begin for the rest of the state over the course of the next 12 hours.
A clipper will bring a mixture of synoptic snow and lake effect snow for the entirety of Michigan. This is the first of multiple clippers between now and Monday. Lake effect areas may see totals into the 4-8" zone, with localized heavier totals possible along the Porcupine Mountains in the western UP. We DO have ample moisture on our atmospheric profiles for tomorrow, but the forcing is still suspect, so a solid blanket of 1-4" of snow, with isolated higher totals close to half a foot should occur by the end of our day Friday. The greatest chance at an area underachieving is in... guess what... southeast Michigan. Monroe and Lenawee counties specifically were in the T-1" zone at first call, but with a more-moist profile expected tomorrow, all locations (in an ideal world) should at least hit 1". We are also watching for the development of freezing drizzle mixing in, primarily in the Lower Peninsula as low-level temperatures favor this phenomena. Now, drizzle would hinder totals, but significantly increase travel issues as roads get coated with both the drizzle and the wet snow. We will have a freezing drizzle accumulation map out tomorrow morning.
Winds gusting 25-35 mph at times, primarily out of the west. Some snow squalls will mix in, which for those who don't remember, snow squalls exist to only cause headaches. These narrow bands of snow drop visibility from open skies to mere feet in the matter of seconds, which is never good, especially on fast-moving roadways. A snow squall can put down as much as a quick inch in 15-30 minutes at their peak intensity. Both morning and evening commutes will be impacted by snow or drizzle. Let's hope we don't light up the MDOT drive map with 25 accidents this time around, so please take your time. Give yourself that extra hour to travel, especially in instances of forced slow downs.
-- Trusted Partner of the Day --
Rainbow Restoration | 616-583-1234, call today for all your restoration needs in the Grand Rapids regional area!
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A couple rounds of heavy lake effect snow will develop first across Luce County tonight through tomorrow, then across the western U.P./Keweenaw tomorrow into Saturday afternoon. Winter Weather Advisories and Warnings are in effect from tonight through Saturday afternoon. Greatest snowfall accumulations are expected across the higher terrain west of a line from Ironwood to White Plains, and from Mass City to Painesdale. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA couple rounds of heavy lake effect snow will develop first across Luce County tonight through tomorrow, then across the western U.P./Keweenaw tomorrow into Saturday afternoon. Winter Weather Advisories and Warnings are in effect from tonight through Saturday afternoon. Greatest snowfall accumulations are expected across the higher terrain west of a line from Ironwood to White Pine, and from Mass City to Painesdale.
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