Grand Marais Trail Report – 12/12
GRAND MARAIS UPDATE via Grand Marais Sno-Trails Assoc. – 12/12 Last night Groomer Chad Groomed the South Trail (8, 88 & 443 all East of M77). He reported a good sized water hole located about a mile north of 88 on the 443. He also took care of a downed tree. Thanks Chad for the information and pictures. <> <> GRAND MARAIS UPDATE via Grand Marais Sno-Trails Assoc. – 12/11 GMSTA trail boss grooming update: I have had a lot of questions and inquiries on if we are grooming, when we will be grooming, and why we are not grooming, etc. Before I get into the scheduling I just want to give you all some insight to how we determine when and how much we groom. Of course one of the biggest factors is weather. How much snow, temps, conditions, what snow quality etc. Just because it’s below 32 degrees doesn’t mean you groom. If the snow quality is poor, sugary not packy, then grooming that type of snow when the base is not set up does very little for the overall “condition” of the trail. You cannot get all the woops/moguls out and the sugary snow just blows back out of the trail as the snowmobiles go over it. If this is the scenario, and it is early in the week with very low traffic, this would be the time to take a day off. The other big factor is the budget we have to groom for the entire season, Dec. 1st – Mar. 31st. One never knows how much snow we will get over the course of the snowmobile season, as proven last year. The season lasts 121 days, and we want to make sure there is enough budget to get us through the entire season. Budgeting is critical and plays a huge part in the decision of when not to groom. If the budget allowed, we would groom every day weather permitted. The next consideration is traffic volume. Usually Tuesday -Thursday is the slowest part of the week for traffic. Those are the first days we consider to not groom, as there is the least amount of traffic. This coupled with weather, snow conditions, and budget all help to make the call to groom or not. High travel times, we strive to groom every day to give you the best trails possible. We will be grooming this afternoon, starting with our East trail, trail 8, and our South trail, 443 & 88 from the park and ride on M77 east to 443. Then once they get back, we will head out on the West trail, 8, 89, 43/88 across Sunrise Landing to the south end of 888 and our North trail 8, from the split at 89, 888, and 88 all the way down to the park and ride on M77. The town route is usually done in coordination with the North run and or run as needed, as it is the single groomed trail route into the town of Grand Marais for food, gas, etc. Our scheduled grooming times are the same every day with the North and West trails being done early mornings, departing the groomer barn approximately 2am, returning approximately 9am. The East and South trails departing the barn approximately 5pm returning approximately 1am. Hopefully the snow that is in the forecast will come, and we will have the trails good and ready for a great sledding weekend. We want to thank everyone for your support, patience, and understanding. Thank you also for your comments and info from out on the trails. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Last but not least, I also highly recommend downloading the Groomer Tracker app and for $10.00 download the GMSTA trails so you can follow the groomers in “real time”. For $10.00 each, you can download the Curtis Area Trails, Seney Snowmobile Association, Tahquamenon Area Snowmobile Association, Chippewa Snow Chasers, and the Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association and see all the trails that are being groomed in the EUP! Other club trail systems are also available for purchase as well as other States. A percentage of the $10.00 goes directly to each club who’s trail system you download. This helps and we greatly appreciate it. Take a minute and check it out. <> <> Grand Marais Sno-Trails Assoc. on Facebook >>>> <> NEWBERRY AREA UPDATE via Trails End Lodging >> The snow continues to fall this morning in Windy Corners!! ❄️❄️❄️ #newberry #snowphotos WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Warm temperatures are expected today, especially over the interior west and central, before a cold front passing through mainly the eastern U.P. brings clouds and colder temperatures late this afternoon through tonight. Some fog, drizzle, and freezing drizzle is possible behind the cold front this afternoon through tonight. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaWarm temperatures are expected today, especially over the interior west and central, before a cold front passing through mainly the eastern U.P. brings clouds and colder temperatures late this afternoon through tonight. Some fog, drizzle, and freezing drizzle is possible behind the cold front this afternoon through tonight. #906wx #miwx WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Light snow chances linger today, mainly across eastern Upper Michigan, with highs in the mid to upper 30s to low 40s. A stretch of quieter weather follows this weekend into early next week, featuring partly sunny skies and temperatures moderating into the upper 30s and mid 40s. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberryLight snow chances linger today, mainly across eastern Upper Michigan, with highs in the mid to upper 30s to low 40s. A stretch of quieter weather follows this weekend into early next week, featuring partly sunny skies and temperatures moderating into the upper 30s and mid 40s. #MIwx PARADISE AREA UPDATE via Paradise Area Night Riders www.paradiseareanightriders.org >> 2/13/26 WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Warm and mostly dry conditions are expected to finish the week. Expecting most locations to warm above freezing during the day and then fall below freezing overnight. Many locations in western and southern Upper Michigan may warm above 40 Friday and Saturday! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaWarm and mostly dry conditions are expected to finish the week. Expecting most locations to warm above freezing during the day and then fall below freezing overnight. Many locations in western and southern Upper Michigan may warm above 40 Friday and Saturday! WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> We know you'll pass by this post for snowfall today, but here on February 12th, 2026, it's quite a reflective moment to see just how far we have come this winter. Just a couple weeks ago it was lake effect snow every single day. Today, a light band of 1-3" near Munising is all we will need to write home about. We even tossed in some humor for those not in a designated snowfall zone. A couple slick spots will pop up along M-28 near Munising, and perhaps around Petoskey if a longer lake effect band happens to form, but this is more unlikely than likely. PARADISE AREA UPDATE via Paradise Area Night Riders www.paradiseareanightriders.org >> 2/12/26 WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> High pressure will gradually build into the region today and Thursday. This will slowly diminish lake effect snow showers from west to east. It will also help usher in a warm and mostly dry period. Most can expect above freezing temperatures during the day and below freezing temperatures overnight into at least early next week. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaHigh pressure will gradually build into the region today and Thursday. This will slowly diminish lake effect snow showers from west to east. It will also help usher in a warm and mostly dry period. Most can expect above freezing temperatures during the day and below freezing temperatures overnight into at least early next week. #906wx #miwx NEWBERRY AREA UPDATE via Trails End Lodging >> It’s a beautiful morning in Windy Corners ❄️ The snow is falling nicely, and conditions are looking great! I heard they’re not grooming after today but why is that? Suppose to get down to 23 degrees tomorrow night? NEWBERRY AREA UPDATE via Pine Stump >> Wednesday 2-11 WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Additional snow is expected across parts of the area today. Those north of the bridge will see around another 1” through this afternoon with most areas getting less than 1”. Freezing drizzle will be possible across northern Michigan into this afternoon. Slippery roads may result in localized hazardous travel, so be sure to use caution while driving! #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberryAdditional snow is expected across parts of the area today. Those north of the bridge will see around another 1” through this afternoon with most areas getting less than 1”. Freezing drizzle will be possible across northern Michigan into this afternoon. Slippery roads may result in localized hazardous travel, so be sure to use caution while driving! WEATHER UPDATE US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Key Messages: PARADISE AREA UPDATE via Paradise Area Night Riders www.paradiseareanightriders.org >> 2/10/26 Thank you! Keep the updates coming! WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A brief period of freezing rain and snow is expected after sunset before quickly changing over to all snow. Untreated surfaces and secondary roads that are snow packed could become slippery. Lake effect snow and blowing snow on Tuesday. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA brief period of freezing rain and snow is expected after sunset before quickly changing over to all snow. Untreated surfaces and secondary roads that are snow packed could become slippery. Lake effect snow and blowing snow on Tuesday. <> Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links <>
Ride Safe & Ride Right.Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
It was 9 degrees this morning when I got up at 0630, it is now 22 at 0800 and cloudy....weird weather! It is supposed to get up into the low 30`s today and drop into the low teens at night. "They" are watching for a "big storm" coming in for early next week but temps into the 30`s....weird weather. Nuff on that....lets get to the trails....
All trails were run yesterday and they are all in great shape. We will run almost around the clock all weekend to keep them that way for you. If the warmer days start to break up the ice in the low lands I`ll be sure to let ya`ll know, but for now we are in GREAT SHAPE!!!! Bout all I got to report.
LET `ER SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Groomer Chris #paradise #newberry
Enjoy your rather snow-free day here in Michigan in early February. If you've read this far, comment your favorite memory of winter to this point.
- Chief Meteorologist Joel Fritsma #miweather #newberry #soo #petoskey #gaylordWe know you'll pass by this post for snowfall today, but here on February 12th, 2026, it's quite a reflective moment to see just how far we have come this winter. Just a couple weeks ago it was lake effect snow every single day. Today, a light band of 1-3" near Munising is all we will need to write home about. We even tossed in some humor for those not in a designated snowfall zone. A couple slick spots will pop up along M-28 near Munising, and perhaps around Petoskey if a longer lake effect band happens to form, but this is more unlikely than likely.
Enjoy your rather snow-free day here in Michigan in early February. If you've read this far, comment your favorite memory of winter to this point.
- Chief Meteorologist Joel Fritsma
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4 degrees this morning under a bright blue sky. I picked up about an inch of fluff on my deck last night. I`m sure ya`ll are seeing the weather forecast for the next couple weeks. It looks like the temps are gonna warm up into the 30`s during the day. We have at least 3' of snow on the ground in da woods but the warm temps are not gonna help our cause much. We should be fine for a while but the roads we use for connecting trails will start to thaw and turn muddy. I am already getting questions about it being worth the drive coming UP! For right now I am saying YES, plenty of snow in da woods and our trail system is in GREAT shape. I do predict our wet areas will start to open up and I`ll keep ya`ll informed on how that progresses. Our high ground trails....ie....mainly the Pine Stump trail #8 & #9 will hold up for a while. So......get yer bunnies UP here and get it while it lasts!!! All trails are good to go right now!!!!!!!
LET `ER SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Groomer Chris #paradise #newberry
Here’s a current look at Trail 498 coming into Windy Corners — fresh snow and ready for riders.
Heading north for the long holiday weekend?
Where will you be riding from? ⬇️
Wherever the trails take you, ride right and be safe. #newberry #snowphotos
Few snow flakes in the air
We have a ton of snow on the ground. Trails are excellent
This weekend will be Busy for sure.
Some warm temps coming in the 30s it looks like. Our snow won’t melt in a few days so don’t be thinking that
If town gets melted down and hard to navigate we have all kinds of parking out back. Trailer up for the day and go ride!! No overnight parking or long term parking
We have a few more weeks of winter left up here at least come enjoy it!! #newberry #snowphotos
Overnight wet snow and light freezing rain could lead to some slick roads this morning!
Lake effect snow showers and gusty winds could lead to some rapidly changing visibility on the roads through tonight, especially close to Lake Superior and in the Keweenaw.
Late this week, temperatures warm up, including multiple freeze-thaw cycles. Lake ice may become hazardous! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaKey Messages:
Overnight wet snow and light freezing rain could lead to some slick roads this morning!
Lake effect snow showers and gusty winds could lead to some rapidly changing visibility on the roads through tonight, especially close to Lake Superior and in the Keweenaw.
Late this week, temperatures warm up, including multiple freeze-thaw cycles. Lake ice may become hazardous!
25 degrees this morning with a light snow falling. We`ve received a couple inches in the last few days but nothing to brag about. We have been in a deep freeze for about a month now, but it looks like its gonna warm up a bit for the foreseeable future into the upper 20`s to low 30`s for highs and upper teens to low 20`s at night.
I haven`t been on here much cause nothing has changed....all our trails are in GREAT SHAPE!!!!! I will be on here more often now as this warmer weather comes along to keep ya`ll informed more. As long as it gets below freezing at night I don`t see much of a problem for a while but the warmer days will start hurting our swamp areas....but thats what I`m here for....to keep ya`s informed!!
COME ON U.P.!!!!!!! The riding is premo!!!!!!
LET `ER SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Groomer Chris #paradise #newberry