Sault Ste. Marie Trail Report – 01/16
SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – 01/15 1/15- city trail update 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!❄️❄️❄️ <> <> Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Facebook Page <> Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Trail Report on MSA <> WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> A quick-moving clipper system crosses northern MI tonight. Primarily rain is expected across much of northern lower, with mainly snow through the Straits and eastern U.P. Snow will likely end as a period of freezing drizzle early Friday morning with a coating of ice possible, mainly in eastern upper. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberryA quick-moving clipper system crosses northern MI tonight. Primarily rain is expected across much of northern lower, with mainly snow through the Straits and eastern U.P. Snow will likely end as a period of freezing drizzle early Friday morning with a coating of ice possible, mainly in eastern upper. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Key Messages: SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 3/17/26 SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 3/17/26 WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Final snowfall totals have been released from our blizzard of March 15th-17th, 2026 here in Michigan. Do note, some locations are approximated due to data gaps in the Upper Peninsula..... #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyFinal snowfall totals have been released from our blizzard of March 15th-17th, 2026 here in Michigan. Do note, some locations are approximated due to data gaps in the Upper Peninsula. <> Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links <>
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. Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
Today, highs near 40, partly to mostly cloudy.
Tonight, rain with some snow (mostly north and east, as shown in the map) and freezing rain mixing in. Lows near 30.
Friday, mostly cloudy, highs in the mid 30s (north, east) to near 50 (MI/WI state line).
Weekend, tracking the potential for accumulating snow or freezing rain. Chances of 3+ inches of wet snow around 30% mainly Saturday night. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaKey Messages:
Today, highs near 40, partly to mostly cloudy.
Tonight, rain with some snow (mostly north and east, as shown in the map) and freezing rain mixing in. Lows near 30.
Friday, mostly cloudy, highs in the mid 30s (north, east) to near 50 (MI/WI state line).
Weekend, tracking the potential for accumulating snow or freezing rain. Chances of 3+ inches of wet snow around 30% mainly Saturday night.
Last one for the day!
Bryan hit the city trails this evening and they turned out great! The wet areas he saw a week ago are nonexistent now.
He saw quite a bit of sled traffic for a Tuesday.
Great to see people out enjoying the fresh snow and beautiful day!
Thank you, Bryan!!❄️❄️❄️ #soo #soo0317h #snowphotos
Sorry for all of the posts today! As you can see, we’ve been busy!
Pics from Kenny on his run with Raco Dave this morning on the 889 loop, 480 north of M28, and 8 along the powerline.
They report that it turned out great!
Thanks guys!❄️❄️❄️ #soo #soo0317f #snowphotos
No doubt the forecast lived up to its insanity, with many locations getting over 40" of snow across the central Upper Peninsula, and 8-10 foot snow drifts to make things even more extreme. In terms of forecast verification, our forecast did hit the 80%+ accuracy threshold we strive for after each event. Our final verification was 83%, and most of the the misses were where the system shifted slightly south to give parts of the northern Lower Peninsula greater than 24", and parts of the western Upper Peninsula much less. Anything over 18" of snow is just "a lot" at this point anyways, so we aren't stressing too badly about the miss in the Lower Peninsula near the Mackinac Bridge. Lake effect zones in SW Michigan did verify, as text was featured under the forecast that a couple spots would see locally higher amounts.
Overall, this will be a storm we won't soon forget, which adds to the list of wild weather we've experienced in Michigan over the last two weeks. If you have any additional snowfall reports to add to the list that are not affected by drifting, drop them in the comments below here on X or Facebook. A new two-day record was also broken at the NWS office in Marquette of 36"+ with this blizzard, which is just one record smashed by this blizzard.