SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – 01/05
1/5/25 8:30 PM update Run down of where we are at. Like all of you, I’m a rider too and I try my best to give you accurate info. I realize everyone has a different perspective of what is good and bad. I feel like I’m pretty fair, and often times more critical of our trails because I want to be as honest as possible. So here we go-
The Soo definitely got the most out of the lake effect snow event from Thursday to this morning. Not as much west or south of us on our trail system.
Trail 8 from the Soo to Raco gets thinner as you head west to about a mile or two west of Irish Line, then sees a bit more coverage as you approach the 480 intersection. Open areas saw snow get blown off the trail, and our operators use the blade as best they can to pull snow in from the sides. There are some thin areas, most notably just west of 6 Mile where those doggone slag rocks are popping up for about 100 feet. I stop and toss them off when I see them. We’ll try to pick the drag up in that section to keep them from pulling up. More snow will bury them back up. 8 on the powerline to Ranger Rd had more snow on it than I expected and is great.
889 is also great.
Met some of our other volunteers for a ride today coming from Kinross. They took 472 to 480 to 8 and they said it was good. A few ruts left from some wheeled vehicles during the warm up. Nothing major.
Rider reports from 49 south of M80 and the 494 loop reported both as excellent.
The city trails, with the exception of 449 and the now closed Kewadin trail are also in good shape. Pete is out there now, and will have a report for us that I’ll share.
I’m going to pin the post about 449 and the Kewadin Trail for easy reference.
49 from Alberta Ln south of the DonDee Lanes (great food!) remains ungroomed. Lots of wet spots still. The cold weather should do the trick and allow it to freeze up nicely. We’ll run it as soon as it makes sense to do so. It is ungroomed from there to Gaines Hwy in Kinross. Sleds have been riding it, but you need to know it’s at your own risk, and is likely very rough. Overall, we could use more snow to freshen up most areas, but things overall are good with some fair areas, and some excellent areas!
I hope that helps! Ride safe! ❄️❄️❄️
<>
1/5/25 Good morning all!
Brimley Bill headed out very early this morning in the Bay Mills and Raco area on part of 480, the powerline, and 889. Here’s his report-
“I groomed the Powerline and the Mission Hill Loop early this morning. There’s still some wind, but not as strong as yesterday. Open areas still have some drifting.
I was able smooth out all the chatter from traffic and drifts. I got out early enough so that the trail had some time to set up before any sled traffic.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Overall travel conditions should be smooth through Christmas Day. A system tracking through the region brings a round of snow and possibly freezing rain Christmas night into Friday. Highest snowfall amounts are expected in the northern half of the U.P. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaOverall travel conditions should be smooth through Christmas Day. A system tracking through the region brings a round of snow and possibly freezing rain Christmas night into Friday. Highest snowfall amounts are expected in the northern half of the U.P. ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via Meteorologist Brad Sugden >> There will be some snow with Friday's system to the north! Nothing too crazy, but a few inches none-the-less. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaThere will be some snow with Friday's system to the north! Nothing too crazy, but a few inches none-the-less.
Generator Magic Inc Michigan Based, Nationwide Shipping ... See MoreSee Less
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/24/25 Merry Christmas Eve! A curious deer checked out our snow gauge overnight. A bit of a warm up kept groomers parked yesterday, but cold has returned this morning, and there’s a decent amount of snow in the forecast in the coming days. Things were super flat before the warm up yesterday, so once again we have an excellent base. We will keep you posted! Enjoy time with your families and friends 🎄❄️ #soo #snowphotos... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> If you have post-travel plans to or from lower MI Thursday night into Friday, be aware of the potential for light snow and freezing rain to impact travel, especially over parts of the Lower Peninsula. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaIf you have post-travel plans to or from lower MI Thursday night into Friday, be aware of the potential for light snow and freezing rain to impact travel, especially over parts of the Lower Peninsula. #906wx #miwx ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via Midwest Weather >> I'm going up north to the U.P of Michigan on Friday to chase a potentially significant lake effect snow event from late Saturday night through Tuesday. Snowfall accumulations could be 1-2', if not higher, as high-res model guidance comes in when we get closer. Another lake-effect snow event is increasingly likely behind an arctic front next Wednesday night through Friday, which we will need to keep an eye on. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea#gaylord#cadillac#benzie#traversecity#petoskeyI'm going up north to the U.P of Michigan on Friday to chase a potentially significant lake effect snow event from late Saturday night through Tuesday. Snowfall accumulations could be 1-2', if not higher, as high-res model guidance comes in when we get closer.
Another lake-effect snow event is increasingly likely behind an arctic front next Wednesday night through Friday, which we will need to keep an eye on. ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A cold front will push through this afternoon and evening bringing gusty northwest wind of 25-35 mph near Lake Superior and over the Keweenaw. Otherwise low chances for snow and or sleet are forecast for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (10-30% chance). #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA cold front will push through this afternoon and evening bringing gusty northwest wind of 25-35 mph near Lake Superior and over the Keweenaw. Otherwise low chances for snow and or sleet are forecast for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (10-30% chance). ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> It will be warmer today with highs in the upper 20s to mid 30s. Light snow is possible south of an Iron Mountain to Escanaba line but any accumulation will be very light. There is a chance (20-30%) for light snow across the central and eastern U.P tonight but little in the way of accumulation is expected. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaIt will be warmer today with highs in the upper 20s to mid 30s. Light snow is possible south of an Iron Mountain to Escanaba line but any accumulation will be very light. There is a chance (20-30%) for light snow across the central and eastern U.P tonight but little in the way of accumulation is expected. ... See MoreSee Less
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/21/25 Groomer Jay and I just finished the city trails. Aside from the car on trail 8 near Ashmun Bay, things look really good. We saw a little water on the trail to Kewadin as pictured, but that was honestly the worst part of the whole run. It was snowing hard for the last hour of our run. I was pleasantly surprised to see how well things held up after the warm up last week. We keep saying it, but we truly are very pleased with where things are this early seaon. Let’s hope it continues! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #snowphotos... See MoreSee Less
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/21/25 Happy Winter Solstice!! Beautiful shots from Brimley Bill this morning on his run of parts of 480 north of M28, the Raco powerline portion of trail 8, and the 889 loop! Fresh snow over the solid base that the thaw last week helped to create = some awesome trails! Thank you Bill! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #snowphotos... See MoreSee Less