SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – 11/29
Good evening, snow fans!
Speaking of snow, we still have around 11” here at home base in the Soo, and I’ve heard areas south of us near kinross and Rudyard had up to 17”! Official total in the Soo was 15.8”, reported by one news outlet.
We know everyone is eager to get out, probably none more so than us! The temps have been cold which is totally awesome! It is going to warm up above freezing tomorrow (boo!), but some melting and then refreezig is actually a good thing! We will not be grooming until we are consistently below freezing, and we have a foot + of snow to work with. Remember, a foot of snow compresses to just a couple of inches.
With opening day only 2 days away, I have a few asks and tips please-
1- if a gate is closed and there is no way around it, it’s likely that it is on private property or still closed for your safety. There may be large water holes that you can’t see hidden under the snow, or the landowner may be hunting the area. Please turn around and do not try to boondock around it. I promise I will update as gates are opened.
2- please know that we’re likely not going to be grooming yet. Try your best to exercise a little throttle control (I know, I know). This is not for our benefit, but for yours as well as other riders. Fast take offs and spinning tracks = moguls and mud and rocks being dug up. This is extra important in the early season or when snow is thin. There is absolutely zero base, but what we have now CAN become our base once it gets packed down as evenly as possible. I personally encourage sleds to ride and pack it down, just do so in a way that you’re not going gangbusters🤣 3- be careful of potential hidden debris- logs, rocks, ice chunks, water and mud holes can all really ruin your day. 4- have fun!!!
Tonight, we want to send a big thank you to the Budget Host Crestview Inn, here in the Soo, for being a member supporter and map sponsor for many years! They are located close to town, and their property backs up to the neighborhood that connects to our courtesy trail near the I-500 race track. Remember, you CAN legally ride the side streets in the Soo! They offer cozy rooms, and wonderful, friendly service for your stay! Check them out for next your stay! Thank you all! 2 days!❄️❄️❄️ Join or donate today at www.sootrails.org <>
WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Here is our last call for ongoing system snow and lake effect snow from now through Sunday evening at 6 pm EST, December 20th & 21st, 2025. Uncertainty exists primarily in our trace-1" category which extends from Frankfort and Alpena south to I-96/I-69. The clipper moving through today may produce a quick squall of rain & snow with minimal accumulation some time beyond 1 pm EST, but models haven't determined if this band will solidify or not. If it does, the chance for a rain/snow mix exists in areas highlighted in the pink dashed box. This rain/snow mix would only be today. Any snow on Sunday will be lake effect off of Lake Superior, hence why our highest totals of 4-8" are located east of Munising over to Paradise. Not too impactful of a system in terms of Michigander standards, but do take it slow if you encounter any snow squalls and/or visibly slick roads. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea#gaylord#cadillac#benzie#traversecity#petoskeyHere is our last call for ongoing system snow and lake effect snow from now through Sunday evening at 6 pm EST, December 20th & 21st, 2025.
Uncertainty exists primarily in our trace-1" category which extends from Frankfort and Alpena south to I-96/I-69. The clipper moving through today may produce a quick squall of rain & snow with minimal accumulation some time beyond 1 pm EST, but models haven't determined if this band will solidify or not. If it does, the chance for a rain/snow mix exists in areas highlighted in the pink dashed box. This rain/snow mix would only be today. Any snow on Sunday will be lake effect off of Lake Superior, hence why our highest totals of 4-8" are located east of Munising over to Paradise. Not too impactful of a system in terms of Michigander standards, but do take it slow if you encounter any snow squalls and/or visibly slick roads.
-- Trusted Partner of the Day -- A-Class Construction & Restoration | 833-298-ROOF is the number to call for all home construction needs across northwestern lower Michigan! ... See MoreSee Less
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/20/25 Good morning all! Not any major changes here as of right now. We got maybe an inch of snow overnight in the Soo, with a bit in the forecast today and tomorrow. Our Raco crew has been out on 8 from Brimley west, and the 889 loop is being done now, as they have a bit more snow in that area. I haven’t spoken with the groomer bosses in the Soo or Kinross yet, but I would imagine we’ll still be on hold in those areas until we get a bit more snow. No doubt, we now have a very solid base over the majority of our trail system. We’ll keep you posted! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> The first round of snow continues through mid-morning before most get a brief dry period into this afternoon; snow showers persist in the Keweenaw. Then a transition over to lake effect snow over the west to northwest wind snowbelts. 3 to 7 inches of snowfall over the east tonight into Sunday morning. Windy conditions are expected this afternoon into tonight behind a cold front. Widespread westerly wind gusts are expected between 25 to 35 mph; up to 45 mph near Lake Superior and in the Keweenaw. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Another system brings a quick round of light to moderate snowfall late tonight into early Saturday. A widespread 1-3 inches of snow is expected, possibly locally higher up to 3-4in in the eastern UP. A change over to lake effect snow is expected in the NW wind snow belts Saturday afternoon, lingering into Sunday. Winds turn gusty for Saturday, with gusts as high as 40-45mph possible over the Keweenaw, where a Wind Advisory is in effect Saturday afternoon and evening. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaAnother system brings a quick round of light to moderate snowfall late tonight into early Saturday. A widespread 1-3 inches of snow is expected, possibly locally higher up to 3-4in in the eastern UP. A change over to lake effect snow is expected in the NW wind snow belts Saturday afternoon, lingering into Sunday. Winds turn gusty for Saturday, with gusts as high as 40-45mph possible over the Keweenaw, where a Wind Advisory is in effect Saturday afternoon and evening. ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect snow ends over the north-northwest wind snow belts today. A couple more fluffy inches and some blowing snow is still expected over the north central and eastern U.P. this morning. A quick hitting system looks to bring 1 to 4 fluffy inches of snowfall tonight through Saturday morning. West to northwest winds as high as 45 mph are expected to make a return over the Keweenaw on Saturday. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLake effect snow ends over the north-northwest wind snow belts today. A couple more fluffy inches and some blowing snow is still expected over the north central and eastern U.P. this morning. A quick hitting system looks to bring 1 to 4 fluffy inches of snowfall tonight through Saturday morning. West to northwest winds as high as 45 mph are expected to make a return over the Keweenaw on Saturday. ... See MoreSee Less
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/19/25 The switch has flipped! We went from 42 and rain last night to 18 and snow flurries currently. Wild! Word is that the roads are absolutely horrible, and area schools have been cancelled. No doubt, trails will be solid ice until the new snow starts to pile up. As soon as I have any idea what the trails look like, I’ll be sure to share, but wanted to at least share a bit of good news. #soo #snowphotos... See MoreSee Less
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> Video is from 12/16/25 Sorry I’m late on this put thought it was still worth sharing to show how things looked before this little warm up. Here’s Pete’s report to go along with it- “I took took New Dave out for his final training run down trail 8 to Brimley. We have been struggling with some engine computer wiring issues causing stalls. Some repair attempts were made, and this was an unscheduled test run as well. Bryan and his assistant Logan followed along to assist in case of another breakdown. Additionally, we wanted to take down the large leaning tree that’s been impeding the trail. Everything went well and the groomer made the trip with no issues. Dave finished up his training and will be headed out on his own soon. The tree came down without any hiccups. Even though it was warm out, the trail laid out smooth and flat. It was a great success and we are glad to have accomplished so much in one evening.” Thanks all! #soo #snowphotos... See MoreSee Less