SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – 02/17
2/17 9 pm update- Today, groomer Jay and I hit trail 8 from the Soo to Brimley for the very first time this season. That statement in itself is a testament to this crazy winter. As we left the Soo around 12:30, we were both questioning whether it was worth it or not, as it was thin, but decided to carry on since we needed to at least check for any downed trees or other hazards. The more west we went, the better it got. As I said in the video earlier, the only “bad” part is that the big chunks of slag rock that were placed here over the summer are getting pulled up as sleds roll over it.
It undoubtedly has made the foundation much more solid, and mitigated the water hole situation, but it’s not great, and the only solution is simply more snow. The worst part is about 1/4 mile just west of where you cross 6 mile. Take it easy and you’ll be just fine. We panned slowly and methodically as to not further disturb them. We had two trees that were leaners and needed to be cut. Our battery operated Milwaukee saws that we bought with funds from the MISORVA Miracle Million grant are awesome and made quick work of those. Otherwise, it was pretty uneventful on our way to Brimley.
We stopped at The Cozy Inn in Brimley and were so graciously treated to a meal! Amazing folks there and we are so appreciative of their unwavering support! Please support them! On the return trip, I took the wheel, and it started snowing really hard! I personally love grooming in heavy snow! The drag is pretty finicky, especially on lake effect snow, so it was tracking a little weird in spots, but still smoothed the surface out nicely. We got back around 7:30 and needed to plow the parking lot at the groomer barn as there was easily 3” of new snow. And it’s still coming down! Woo hoo!
Oh! And we only saw 10 sleds! Where is everyone??
Let’s hope it keeps up overnight, and things will onlly improve! That’s all for now! Ride safe, right right, ride sober, and snow dance your 🍑 off, it’s working! ❄️❄️❄️
PS- first debbie downer in the comments owes me lunch😉
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Another chilly day is in store today with highs ranging in the teens. Light lake effect snow showers persist today through tonight in the eastern UP, where another 2-4in will be possible. Light snow becomes more widespread across the UP as another system moves through. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaAnother chilly day is in store today with highs ranging in the teens. Light lake effect snow showers persist today through tonight in the eastern UP, where another 2-4in will be possible. Light snow becomes more widespread across the UP as another system moves through. ... See MoreSee Less
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 1/2/26 Good morning everyone! It’s been awhile since I was able to create a complete trail report with all that we’ve had going on, so here we go! ❄️Trail 8- good from the Soo to Brimley, and Brimley to Raco has greatly improved now that the drifts have been knocked down more. Still soft snow that will start packing down more with each run. ❄️ City Trails- part of 49, 449, 497, and the I500 courtesy trail- lots of drifting in the open areas, fair to good. Needs a groom to manage drifts, and we’ll get to it as soon as we can. ❄️ ‼️ Trail 49 - Soo to Kinross- rough from Devils Hill to 12 mile, and we left the groomer out of there the last few days to let it freeze in more. Passable by sled with some wet spots, so use caution. Continued cold and sleds packing it will make a big difference. 12 mile north to the Soo is in good shape. Please stay on the trail! There are water hazards under the snow off trail in several areas. ❄️49 south of M80 and the 494 loop- excellent. No issues here, other than maybe some drifts in open areas. ❄️472 out of Kinross to Tilson Rd- our first pass since the storm was made yesterday so it is much improved. Fair to good. We cannot groom past Tilson due to ongoing construction. 🚨 472 and 480 to the Raco gate- please see the pinned post. We cannot groom in here yet due to bridge construction. The Raco gate is closed. ❄️ 480 from the Spile Dam turnaround to the Raco Powerline ( trail 8 ) - excellent ❄️ Raco Powerline- good ❄️889 The Mission Hill Loop- good- all trees have been cleared and it groomed up nicely. Ride safe everyone! **to join or donate, please visit www.sootrails.org** #soo #soo0102#snowphotos1/2/26
Good morning everyone! It’s been awhile since I was able to create a complete trail report with all that we’ve had going on, so here we go!
❄️Trail 8- good from the Soo to Brimley, and Brimley to Raco has greatly improved now that the drifts have been knocked down more. Still soft snow that will start packing down more with each run.
❄️ City Trails- part of 49, 449, 497, and the I500 courtesy trail- lots of drifting in the open areas, fair to good. Needs a groom to manage drifts, and we’ll get to it as soon as we can.
❄️ ‼️ Trail 49 - Soo to Kinross- rough from Devils Hill to 12 mile, and we left the groomer out of there the last few days to let it freeze in more. Passable by sled with some wet spots, so use caution. Continued cold and sleds packing it will make a big difference. 12 mile north to the Soo is in good shape. Please stay on the trail! There are water hazards under the snow off trail in several areas.
❄️49 south of M80 and the 494 loop- excellent. No issues here, other than maybe some drifts in open areas.
❄️472 out of Kinross to Tilson Rd- our first pass since the storm was made yesterday so it is much improved. Fair to good. We cannot groom past Tilson due to ongoing construction.
🚨 472 and 480 to the Raco gate- please see the pinned post. We cannot groom in here yet due to bridge construction. The Raco gate is closed.
❄️ 480 from the Spile Dam turnaround to the Raco Powerline ( trail 8 ) - excellent
❄️ Raco Powerline- good
❄️889 The Mission Hill Loop- good- all trees have been cleared and it groomed up nicely.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Another chilly night is in store with wind chills falling to -5 to -20. Lake effect snow will continue with several additional inches of accumulation and low visibility in Ontonagon/Houghton Counties and in the eastern UP along/north of M-28. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaAnother chilly night is in store with wind chills falling to -5 to -20. Lake effect snow will continue with several additional inches of accumulation and low visibility in Ontonagon/Houghton Counties and in the eastern UP along/north of M-28. ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Accumulating lake effect snow will continue today, especially across parts of Chippewa County in the eastern U.P. where several inches of additional localized accumulation are expected. Lighter snow showers expected to continue across parts of northwest lower Michigan. #miweather #gaylord#cadillac#benzie#traversecity#petoskey #soo #newberryAccumulating lake effect snow will continue today, especially across parts of Chippewa County in the eastern U.P. where several inches of additional localized accumulation are expected. Lighter snow showers expected to continue across parts of northwest lower Michigan. ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Accumulating lake effect snow will continue tonight for parts of eastern upper and the NW lower snowbelt. An additional 1-4 inches is expected for parts of the county with localized amounts in excess of 8 inches possible near Sault Ste. Marie and Brimley. In the NW lower snow belts, additional snow of 2-4 inches in some spots is possible as well tonight. Snow covered roads and quick drops in visibility will lead to hazardous travel at times into tonight. #miweather #gaylord#cadillac#benzie#traversecity#petoskey #soo #newberryAccumulating lake effect snow will continue tonight for parts of eastern upper and the NW lower snowbelt. An additional 1-4 inches is expected for parts of the county with localized amounts in excess of 8 inches possible near Sault Ste. Marie and Brimley. In the NW lower snow belts, additional snow of 2-4 inches in some spots is possible as well tonight. Snow covered roads and quick drops in visibility will lead to hazardous travel at times into tonight. ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Happy New Year, northern Michigan! Accumulating lake effect snow will continue today into tonight, mainly across Chippewa county. An additional 2-4” is expected for parts of the county with localized amounts of 6”+ possible near Sault Ste. Marie. Snow covered roads and quick drops in visibility will lead to hazardous travel at times into tonight. #miweather #gaylord#cadillac#benzie#traversecity#petoskey #soo #newberryHappy New Year, northern Michigan! Accumulating lake effect snow will continue today into tonight, mainly across Chippewa county. An additional 2-4” is expected for parts of the county with localized amounts of 6”+ possible near Sault Ste. Marie. Snow covered roads and quick drops in visibility will lead to hazardous travel at times into tonight. ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A chilly day is expected for the first day of 2026, with highs mainly in the teens and light lake effect snow continuing for the west to northwest wind snow belts through tonight. Another 2-4” is expected in the eastern UP, though some locally higher amounts up to 6” are possible. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA chilly day is expected for the first day of 2026, with highs mainly in the teens and light lake effect snow continuing for the west to northwest wind snow belts through tonight. Another 2-4” is expected in the eastern UP, though some locally higher amounts up to 6” are possible. ... See MoreSee Less
BRIMLEY - EASTERN U.P. UPDATE via Old Soo Line Grade Lodge >> 01/01/26 - HAPPY NEW YEAR 24” minimum on the ground just off Trail 8 in Brimley, MI with more on the way! Snow and cold temps in the forecast. Stay safe #soo #newberry #snowphotos... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect snow showers persist over the northwest wind snow belts through New Year's Day, with an additional 3-6" in the east (locally up to 8"). As winds turn gusty, blowing and drifting snow will be possible. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLake effect snow showers persist over the northwest wind snow belts through New Year's Day, with an additional 3-6" in the east (locally up to 8"). As winds turn gusty, blowing and drifting snow will be possible. ... See MoreSee Less
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/31 It’s a mixed bag of nuts around here. Where things are good, they are REALLY good! We just need to get to all areas and we are making progress. Beautiful images from Pat on the 494 loop this morning. Thank you, Pat! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #soo1231#snowphotos... See MoreSee Less