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 >> Expect lake effect snow showers today in the north to northwest wind snowbelts. Temperatures will start out cold with wind chills below -20F in the far eastern U.P. Frostbite can occur in as little as 30 minutes on exposed skin in these conditions. Stay warm and drive slow on ice and snow! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect continues tonight, with the heaviest snow likely to focus into the Munising area overnight. Dangerous cold conditions are also expected across the eastern U.P. tonight into Thursday morning. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 1/27/26 www.sootrails.org SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 1/27/26 WEATHER UPDATE via Meteorologist Brad Sugden >> Additional snowfall Tuesday, Jan 27th! SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 1/27/26 This content isn't available right now WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Another quickly-moving Clipper will bring a round of widespread, light snow beginning this evening, followed by lingering lake effect snow across the NW wind snow belts for Tuesday. Totals of an inch or less are expected for most of the UP, but where lake effect snow occurs, up to 2-5in of snow is possible tonight through Tuesday evening. As winds pick up early Tuesday, patchy blowing snow may contribute to reduced visibility in the NW wind snow belts. Take care during your morning commute! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaAnother quickly-moving Clipper will bring a round of widespread, light snow beginning this evening, followed by lingering lake effect snow across the NW wind snow belts for Tuesday. Totals of an inch or less are expected for most of the UP, but where lake effect snow occurs, up to 2-5in of snow is possible tonight through Tuesday evening. As winds pick up early Tuesday, patchy blowing snow may contribute to reduced visibility in the NW wind snow belts. Take care during your morning commute! WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Lake effect snow continues today, stops, then resumes in intensity overnight into Tuesday, January 26th and 27th, 2026. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> While it will remain cold through midweek we will get a reprieve from the bitter cold experienced over the last several days. Lake effect snow showers will be possible in the northwest wind snowbelts along with a period of widespread light snow tonight across the U.P. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaWhile it will remain cold through midweek we will get a reprieve from the bitter cold experienced over the last several days. Lake effect snow showers will be possible in the northwest wind snowbelts along with a period of widespread light snow tonight across the U.P. <> 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
Good evening everyone! Holding steady at 30” of snow in the Soo currently with lake effect snow showers ongoing.
We do still have one machine down, and our schedule has been adjusted to make sure we can still cover all areas.
Here’s what I know-
❄️ Trail 8- Soo to Raco- excellent
❄️ City Trails - part of 49, 449, 497, and the I500 trail- excellent (being groomed as I type this)
❄️ Trail 49- Soo to Kinross- good. All water holes are packed and panned. May have some drifts in open areas.
❄️ Trail 49 south of M80 and the 494 loop- excellent
❄️ Trail 472 to 480 to the Raco gate- good - Go slow by the new bridge on 480 as there is stone there, that will be snow covered in time.
❄️ Trail 480 from the Spile Dam turnaround to the Raco Powerline ( trail 8 ) - excellent
❄️ Raco Powerline- excellent
❄️ Trail 889 The Mission Hill Loop- excellent
Remember, we are on Groomer Tracker!
Ride safe everyone!
***to join or donate, please visit www.sootrails.org*** #soo
Things are so good around here that I actually have no significant updates to share LOL. A little snow here and there on top of an absolutely incredible base is making for the best riding in our area in years, honestly. Even with one machine still down, our operators have things in excellent shape!
We hope you’ll be able to be here next week for race week, and for the big race on Saturday, Feb 7th! We will have a booth in the brand new vendor pavilion, and we hope to see you there at the International 500 Snowmobile Race!! 🏁 ❄️🥶 #soo #soo0127 #snowphotos
Winds will gust 30-40mph at times blowing around new slow and fluffy snow already on the ground. Expect ground blizzards at times (wind driven, brief, white outs). #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsare #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyAdditional snowfall Tuesday, Jan 27th!
Winds will gust 30-40mph at times blowing around new slow and fluffy snow already on the ground. Expect ground blizzards at times (wind driven, brief, white outs).
Update!! 10:30 AM - The car is near the pavilion in the campground, close to the parking lot, and will be out shortly. Thank you to Merle’s Towing for your communication and helping her out!
🚨 Caution!! There is a car stuck on the trail behind Kewadin Casino. We are unsure of the exact location on the trail as of right now.
Merle’s Towing, who has always been so awesome to work with, is on the way, but please use caution.
Please be kind, it’s an elderly person who made a mistake. Just sharing for awareness. Thank you! #soo
Discussion
Our west winds kick up to the 30-40 mph range later tonight. Prior to that happening, a northwest wind will batter some lake effect areas with an additional 1-3" this afternoon, with pockets of 4"+ possible. As we move into Tuesday, a widespread blanket of 2-5", with pockets of 4-8" will overtake the Lake Michigan shoreline, eastern UP, and Keweenaw Peninsula. Temperature difference between water and air, plus adequate lift will fuel lake effect all the way through Wednesday morning. Additionally, we have a clipper moving through on Tuesday that will bring isolated pockets of 1-3" to the east side. Most locations should still be beneath an inch, however, too many variables are in play to not mention it.
Travel will be impacted along and west of US-131, with minor travel impacts all the way over to the US-127 corridor (I-75 north of Grayling). The clipper will be swinging through with the initial push of gusty winds after midnight tonight through 10 am Tuesday morning. Again, this will be for totals starting at noon today, and lasting through 8 am EST Wednesday, with most of the snow falling throughout the entire day Tuesday. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyLake effect snow continues today, stops, then resumes in intensity overnight into Tuesday, January 26th and 27th, 2026.
Discussion
Our west winds kick up to the 30-40 mph range later tonight. Prior to that happening, a northwest wind will batter some lake effect areas with an additional 1-3" this afternoon, with pockets of 4"+ possible. As we move into Tuesday, a widespread blanket of 2-5", with pockets of 4-8" will overtake the Lake Michigan shoreline, eastern UP, and Keweenaw Peninsula. Temperature difference between water and air, plus adequate lift will fuel lake effect all the way through Wednesday morning. Additionally, we have a clipper moving through on Tuesday that will bring isolated pockets of 1-3" to the east side. Most locations should still be beneath an inch, however, too many variables are in play to not mention it.
Travel will be impacted along and west of US-131, with minor travel impacts all the way over to the US-127 corridor (I-75 north of Grayling). The clipper will be swinging through with the initial push of gusty winds after midnight tonight through 10 am Tuesday morning. Again, this will be for totals starting at noon today, and lasting through 8 am EST Wednesday, with most of the snow falling throughout the entire day Tuesday.
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