Sault Ste. Marie Trail Report – 02/20
SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – 02/20 2/20- Good afternoon! I love it when our operators get to bring their spouses with them to document the trip! This report comes to us from Ann, groomer Dennis’ wife, on their run of 472 and 480 through the Spile Dam. “What a beautiful hoar frosty morning to go out for a ‘slow snow roll’. It was 6° overnight, 15° when we left and 23° when we returned 5 hrs. later. Sure wish it would stay this way. We panned west 472 & 480. Snow amount is same as yesterday. We were able to smooth out the trails. Trail 472 turned out good. Only area of concern is a deep trough just west of the “leaning deer blind”. It was open yesterday & frozen today but I assume will open back up. Trail 480 has more thin spots with a little snirt showing in places & a few bumps that will take more snow to smooth out. Overall it came out just ok but enough snow to ride on” It remained pretty cloudy today, and never did get above freezing. Just goes to show ya, you can’t always believe what your weather app says. We hope you’re out enjoying it while you can! It is likely that grooming will be suspended until we receive new snow, to preserve what is left as much as possible, especially with very low traffic. We’ll keep updating! ❄️❄️❄️ <> <> Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Facebook Page <> Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Trail Report on MSA <> SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/29 5:30 PM update WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lingering lake effect snow and blowing snow tonight, especially in the east. Then, widespread light snow tomorrow with another round of lake effect snow Tuesday night into Wednesday. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLingering lake effect snow and blowing snow tonight, especially in the east. Then, widespread light snow tomorrow with another round of lake effect snow Tuesday night into Wednesday. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Next round of accumulating snow is expected for the snow belts Tue PM through Wed. Several inches of snow is expected across parts of northwest lower and eastern upper Michigan, with a high chance for 4” or more. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberryNext round of accumulating snow is expected for the snow belts Tue PM through Wed. Several inches of snow is expected across parts of northwest lower and eastern upper Michigan, with a high chance for 4” or more. SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/29/25 BRIMLEY - SAULT STE. MARIE AREA via Old Soo Line Grade Lodge >> 12/29/25 SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/29/25 WEATHER UPDATE via MLive.com >> New expected snowfall rates are even higher than before. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea Storm track shifts in Michigan’s blizzard zone, up to 33 inches of snow now forecast www.mlive.com <> Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links <>
Thank you Ann and Dennis for your time and the report! Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
We are strategizing our grooming plan. Winds are still extremely high, and snow is still falling on and off, causing white out conditions and downed trees, as well as power outages. MANY area businesses remain closed.
The Pisten Bully that normally runs the Brimley, Raco, (part of 480, 8, and the Raco Powerline) and Bay Mills (889) areas is still down at the Soo barn, awaiting a part and a quick repair, so those areas will not be groomed until it’s back out there, hopefully tomorrow.
The Kinross crew is waiting for winds to die down some and then they’ll work on 49 south of M80 and the 494 loop.
Don’t even think about taking 472 west of Mac Trail or 480 to the Spile Dam gate (see the pinned post). Trust us. With next to zero visibility and all of that construction equipment in there, it’s just not a good idea.
I am waiting to hear about trail 49 from the Soo to Kinross. Winds may still be too high to groom that, as there are a ton of open areas and it will not make any difference at all.
We’ll attempt the city trails and trail 8 from the Soo to Brimley later tonight.
We are hearing reports of huge drifts along with downed trees, so it may take a few runs to get things back to normal.
We cannot stress this enough- if for some reason you decide to ride (which we are not advising), do not ride alone. Bring a saw and emergency supplies, and be aware that first responders and tow companies will be very busy and it will be very difficult to help you if you have an issue. Download and use the What3Words app. You never know when you might need it.
All open areas will have monster drifts.
I’m hearing 6’+ in spots.
All road crossings will have huge berms from the plows until we can punch them out.
We have our work cut out for us. Please be patient and more than anything, please be safe!
It’s going to be amazing once we get things back in shape! ❄️❄️❄️
More to come soon! #soo 
Hey everyone!
Please know that we will get groomers out as soon as it makes sense to do so, meaning once our volunteers can get themselves and their homes dug out.
As we have been sharing, many area businesses are closed as the entire area tries to dig out. The winds have caused heavy drifting, and we had heavy freezing rain right up until the snow hit overnight. Again, there will be trees down, and you will encounter heavy drifting. Anywhere that trails cross roads will have large berms from plows that you’ll have to navigate. The snow is heavy and wet, and getting stuck is highly likely, especially for less experienced riders.
Please be patient and be cautious. We will get things back into shape as soon as we can, but we need to prioritize our own homes and businesses first.
Things should be awesome once we can get the trails cleared and groomed.
Thanks all! #soo
Trail 8 - Brimley, MI
Currently showing about 16” on the stick!
Stay safe out there if traveling. #soo #snowphotos
Good morning everyone! Freezing rain switched over to snow around 11 pm here. We picked up around 6” so far. Trees were coated with ice before the snow hit, and winds have picked up so I have no doubt that there will be trees down.
There will also be large drifts in the open areas. We know that people are here to ride, and we are advising extreme caution if you head out, especially until we can get out and assess the trails.
Surrounding areas, please check in with what you’re seeing for new snow as this storm continues.
Thanks all! Be safe! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #soo1229 #snowphotos12/29/25
Good morning everyone! Freezing rain switched over to snow around 11 pm here. We picked up around 6” so far. Trees were coated with ice before the snow hit, and winds have picked up so I have no doubt that there will be trees down.
There will also be large drifts in the open areas. We know that people are here to ride, and we are advising extreme caution if you head out, especially until we can get out and assess the trails.
Surrounding areas, please check in with what you’re seeing for new snow as this storm continues.
Thanks all! Be safe! ❄️❄️❄️