Sault Ste. Marie Trail Report – 03/04
SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – 03/04 Hi all! A few reminders as we get into spring riding conditions. It also means that the corners especially will get thin and icy and it’s a lot harder to keep to the right if you’re coming in to a corner too fast. This is where most accidents occur, so please just slow it down, especially in the corners. Once things freeze up overnight, that means more icy spots. Again, especially in corners where snow gets blown out by sleds easily. Icy corners will “push” you into the center or oncoming lane so please be mindful of that. This is the time of year where we also start to see wet spots opening up. Many of them have not been frozen for very long as it is, so always watch for changing conditions and be prepared for water holes that can easily cause you to lose control. We’ve said it before, but there’s no such thing as safe ice. We know that many folks ride the bay in Brimley. Please use caution if you do this and again, watch for changing conditions. It won’t take many days in the upper 30s for it to start getting slushy. Slowing it down can really make a big difference in these conditions. Please ride right (the best snow is there anyway!), please ride sober, and ride like your own family is out there too. Sadly, there have been 2 collisions with groomers in as many days, both resulting in fatalities. Always ride as if anyone or anything might be around every corner. Let’s have a safe and awesome last few weeks so we can all do it again next season! Have a great weekend!❄️❄️❄️ <> <> Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Facebook Page <> Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Trail Report on MSA <> WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A quick batch of snowfall is expected tonight into Wednesday as a clipper system tracks to the south. Mainly 1 to 3 inches are expected area-wide. Light lake effect snow lingers in the north, then northwest wind belts Wednesday and Thursday. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA quick batch of snowfall is expected tonight into Wednesday as a clipper system tracks to the south. Mainly 1 to 3 inches are expected area-wide. Light lake effect snow lingers in the north, then northwest wind belts Wednesday and Thursday. SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/9/25 WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Ongoing snowfall will taper off through this morning before a second clipper takes aim at the Great Lakes tonight through Wednesday morning. Uncertainty in the track of the clipper system could impact snowfall amounts. At this time, the highest snowfall amounts are expected across WI up to the UP border counties. Light lake effect snow will linger for the N to NW wind snowbelts Wednesday. WEATHER UPDATE via Meteorologist Brad Sugden >> Timing post!! WEATHER UPDATE via Meteorologist Brad Sugden >> Snow time!! SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/8/2025 WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan .. 🥶 Lingering lake effect snow showers diminish this evening with cold temperatures expected tonight. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect lifts north into the eastern U.P. Monday afternoon. Monday night, a quick moving batch of snow will spread through the U.P. Not only will this bring the region quick widespread snow, but it will also result in an increased risk for 1 inch per hour rates, especially east of Manistique and Seney. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLake effect lifts north into the eastern U.P. Monday afternoon. Monday night, a quick moving batch of snow will spread through the U.P. Not only will this bring the region quick widespread snow, but it will also result in an increased risk for 1 inch per hour rates, especially east of Manistique and Seney. #906wx #miwx SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> Thanks to Nick for sending these to us! They made the drive to hit some early season riding, on and off trail and they weren’t disappointed! WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Light lake effect snow persists today into tonight across the NW wind snow belts, with the heaviest amounts in the eastern UP. 1-3 inches of snow is expected across Alger, northern Schoolcraft, and Luce counties, with locally higher amounts possible. Dry weather for most of Monday will be followed by another round of snow Monday evening into early Tuesday. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLight lake effect snow persists today into tonight across the NW wind snow belts, with the heaviest amounts in the eastern UP. 1-3 inches of snow is expected across Alger, northern Schoolcraft, and Luce counties, with locally higher amounts possible. Dry weather for most of Monday will be followed by another round of snow Monday evening into early Tuesday. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Light snow will continue this morning for northern lower. More moderate snow will be seen over parts of eastern upper near Whitefish point today, leading to a couple inches of accumulation. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #straitsarea #soo #newberryLight snow will continue this morning for northern lower. More moderate snow will be seen over parts of eastern upper near Whitefish point today, leading to a couple inches of accumulation. <> Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links <>
The sun is up earlier and down later. This warms the snow and turns it to a mashed potato type consistency. This makes the trails “loose” and slippery and your sled will move around more than on a hard packed trail. Your carbides can’t hook up as well and you can’t control it as easily.
Wildlife is moving around a lot more in March usually. The spots where we see a lot of deer activity are on 8 near 6 mile and also near Deland, and 472 from the old deer blind all the way to 480. They are everywhere but they must have a good food source close to those spots. Same as in a vehicle, don’t veer for deer! Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
Last update for today- we’ve been busy for a Tuesday!
Bryan and his son (future operator) Logan headed out for the first pass of the season on the remaining city trails.
Here’s what Bryan had to say-
“Logan and I headed out to groom town tonight. We skipped the tunnel and through to the airport to let the water hole north of the tunnel freeze up. Most of town looks really good, but there are several water/mud spots to use extra caution around. Hopefully all will be set up nicely by morning.”
Thank you guys! Great work!
❄️❄️join or donate today at www.sootrails.org❄️❄️ #soo #snowphotos
Find the full weather briefing here: www.weather.gov/media/mqt/DssPacket.pdf #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea
Most of us got that quick burst of 1-2" (locally 3") earlier, and we're already onto the next system - later today!! Fast!
Notice we'll have a distinct rain/ snow line to the south.
Models have all come together nicely. That's a great thing because it lines up with my forecast quite nice. My snow map was posted earlier! Scroll my page!
Some areas are looking at up to 6"of snow.
Rain falling into cold snow pack roads will cause some very slick conditions. Dirt roads, I'm talking to you! You know this already, though haha.
Most treated roads to the south will be ok, though. Anywhere all snow all the time (north of I-96) will be very slow going!
Want a home with a fireplace and big windows to watch the snow!? (I dream of this) #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey
This is late Tuesday thru Wednesday AM only. Repeat that. 😅
About 1-2 inches could fall Tuesday AM before this second system moves in.
There will be some rain mixed in to the south. Please note that'll make back dirt roads quite slick for those folks.
Temperatures stay in the 20s further north, so it'll be a lighter, fluffy snow.
Roads Wednesday AM won't be fun.
This is followed by cold and some lake effect! More slick roads possible with that. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traverscity #petoskeySnow time!!
This is late Tuesday thru Wednesday AM only. Repeat that. 😅
About 1-2 inches could fall Tuesday AM before this second system moves in.
There will be some rain mixed in to the south. Please note that'll make back dirt roads quite slick for those folks.
Temperatures stay in the 20s further north, so it'll be a lighter, fluffy snow.
Roads Wednesday AM won't be fun.
This is followed by cold and some lake effect! More slick roads possible with that.
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Good morning all! We picked up another few inches overnight here in the Soo. Cold temps remain! I am awaiting word from our groomer bosses in the Kinross and Soo areas, and I’ll keep you posted as we have some first runs today in those areas.
For now, here’s what I know-
❄️Trail 8 from the Soo to Raco- Ashmun Bay to south street should be groomed today, and I’ll update when the rest to Brimley Is done. Ken panned it Thursday and it should have a great base from the new snow and sleds packing it all weekend. Brimley to Raco is on the normal grooming schedule and has been done a couple of times already.
‼️The City Trails (part of 49, 449, and 497)- still lots of wet spots in the usual places. It’ll still be a bit before we can get through all of them. Lane will be heading through the tunnel, hills, and airport stretch, as well as 49 behind Walmart as he makes his way down 49 to Kinross. Fingers crossed all goes well!
‼️Trail 49- Soo to Kinross- There are wet areas, particularly from Alberta Lane to 5 mile. Lane went via sled last week from 12 mile south to 472 and said there are some deep water holes between 12 mile and Devil’s Hill, as usual. Gates are open from 12 mile south to Kinross. Lane may be making a pass in the Tucker today if the water holes tightened up.
❄️472 in the Kinross area out toward the 480 split- Lane said there are some water holes between Johnson and Tilson Roads, high ground areas are ok.
❄️Trail 494 around the airport in Kinross- Lane reports this to be ok, no water holes reported.
‼️Trail 480- good from Raco to the turnaround, ungroomed from there to the gate. Deep snow in there! There is construction (yes, construction) in there from 472 to the Spile Dam. Use extreme caution as there is equipment and all sorts of stuff in there. It’s going to be AWESOME when it’s done as the Forest Service is making it a hard packed road and rebuilding a bridge, but it may not be done until late January. Gates are CLOSED on the Spile Dam due to water, so you can’t get through to or from Raco yet anyway. We’ll keep you posted on that.
❄️ Trail 480, 889, and the Raco Powerline (😎 in the Raco and Bay Mills areas- the high ground areas are great and have been groomed. The 889 loop and the Bay Mills Casino trail have been groomed a couple of times and are in really good shape.
In summary, the high ground areas are good to go, but wet areas still need a little time.
We always welcome rider reports and pics! Please be safe and don’t ride alone, especially in the early season. We encourage you to download the What3Words app so that first responders can find you quickly in the event of an emergency.
Thanks all!
**join or donate today at www.sootrails.org** #soo #snowphotos
❄️ Snow potential returns Monday afternoon, initially across parts of the eastern U.P. and across the remainder of northern Michigan Monday night - Tuesday.
More details at: www.weather.gov/apx/weatherstory #MIWeather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #straitsarea #Soo #Newberry
Thanks for sharing, guys! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #snowphotos