SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 01/21
1/21/25 Good morning everyone! It’s a chilly one here today at -6 with a -17 windchill🥶
Our operators have been out all hours to make things as good as can be for all of you.
Here’s Steve’s report from his (and others!) run down 49 to Kinross last night.
“Last night we made the run from the Soo to Kinross on Trail 49. With the recent cold weather we were able to safely make it through the swamp south of 12 Mile and stay on top of the ice. Last night’s run was a team effort with many club members involved. The run takes five hours if everything goes perfect. We decided to spend some time on the courtesy trail to Chippewa Motors again before leaving town. We also wanted to swap out groomers in Kinross and bring one back to the barn for normal maintenance. These added tasks make for a long night.
Thankfully, we have a great group of volunteers who work great together.
The courtesy trail is a tricky stretch until we get the trail set. We have had some confusion with where exactly the trail should be. We were able to set the edges again last night. Thank you to Groomer Nathan for starting the run early and following the map we provided to Chippewa Motors. He made it through fine and only pushed up water in one spot.
I then took control of the groomer and headed south towards Kinross. Had a wiper fall off just south of town. I made a temporary repair and it stayed on for another six miles. It then fell off again and I ran over it with the groomer. I did retrieve it but I am not sure it can be saved.
I made my way to Kinross and worked my way to the groomer staged down there. Thank you to Groomer Lane who followed me on Groomer Tracker and met me when I got there. He had the groomer warmed up and ready to go for me. Temperature was right around zero and it is much appreciated.
I made my way north and met groomer Dennis at Walmart where he made the last hour or so of the run.
Including our Trail Boss Mike who coordinated the run, there were five volunteers who made this one trip happen. It is nice to share once in a while what happens in the background on a regular basis keeping our trails maintained.
Overall, I was happy with how the trails turned out. It was so cold the snow was chunky and hard to work with. I knocked down the bumps and leveled out the drifts that formed over the weekend. From the Soo to 10 Mile, there was plenty of new snow to work with. It thins out the further south we go.
I hit heavy snow squalls on the return trip. Not sure if it accumulated but it certainly reduced visibility.
The trail is still in great shape in my opinion. Hope everyone gets a chance to enjoy it.
Steve Lawson”
Thank you to all involved!
Stay warm if you head out. Be sure to be prepared for a breakdown and don’t ride alone in this bitter cold. Please download the what3words app in case of an emergency to help first responders locate you.
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 11/9/2025 Good evening everyone! We received our first measurable snow overnight, and thanks to Pete, Ryan, and all who have helped them this fall, our trail signing is complete!!🙌🏼 Here’s Pete’s report from today- “November 9th 2025 Trail report: Volunteers: Two Total time: 10hrs Miles traveled: 5 Holes dug: 42 New posts put up: 39 Wildlife: 4 deer Times stuck in mud: no comment Weather: clear, 29 degrees Ryan and I couldn’t wrangle up any help today, so we finished our trail signing alone today. We started early and headed across town to start on trail 449. We put up 18 posts in the first 1/2 mile. The trail leading to the Kewadin Casino is VERY wet. Glad to report how well the Polaris winch worked today! On a good note, that trail has been worked on and riders should find it in better shape early in the season. We strategically worked our way through the wet areas and completed signing on 449 and 497. The only place we couldn’t get to was the hill between Ashmun Creek and the I-75 tunnel. The thick red clay muck was too much, and our prayers to the Gods of traction went unanswered. It was a rough day and we are completely worn out. I am glad to report that the trail brushing is going to greatly improve early season riding! The new Culver’s restaurant is coming along AWESOME. The trail runs right next to the parking lot. I imagine we will be able to get a ButterBurger this season. The trails open in 22 days! We will report to the DNR that we are ready for our trail audit, and then fix any problems they find. Other than that, we are ready to RIDE! Trail Guru Pete” As always, thank you to our awesome volunteers, and to ALL who help support our efforts! ❄️❄️❄️You can join or donate at www.sootrails.org❄️❄️❄️ Thank you! #soo #snowphotos... See MoreSee Less
FROM US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect snow showers will increase in coverage late tonight into Monday morning. The heaviest snow showers will be near the Marquette/Alger County line and the higher terrain of Marquette County. Travel could be difficult for the morning commute on Monday. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLake effect snow showers will increase in coverage late tonight into Monday morning. The heaviest snow showers will be near the Marquette/Alger County line and the higher terrain of Marquette County. Travel could be difficult for the morning commute on Monday. ... See MoreSee Less
FROM US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Here is a look at snowfall reports for the lake effect snow since last night. Expect amounts to go up with another round late tonight into Monday. Did you get lake effect snow? If so, please send us your reports on Facebook or X. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaHere is a look at snowfall reports for the lake effect snow since last night. Expect amounts to go up with another round late tonight into Monday. Did you get lake effect snow? If so, please send us your reports on Facebook or X. ... See MoreSee Less
FROM Great Lakes Weather & Climate >> 📡 Statewide radar loop through 10 AM today (11/9) shows our two distinct snowmakers in progress. The first one is the synoptic (aka "system") snow associated with a low that is moving east through southern Ohio. The counterclockwise flow around the low is shown over Metro Detroit as moisture interacts with decreasing temps, leading to this morning's snowfall. Over the U.P. and Lake Michigan, the north winds are ushering in the coldest air of the season, which activates lake effect snow and transitions to the second portion of this snow event. Counties in the corner of southwest lower Michigan, northern Indiana and Illinois are set to receive a firehose of lake effect over the next 24-36 hrs, resulting in accumulations that could push one foot. Portions of northern lower Michigan and the Saginaw Bay region are also set to receive lake effect snowfall through this evening, with amounts of 3-6 inches possible, with isolated higher amounts. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup #newberry #soo #gaylord#cadillac#traversecity#petoskey... See MoreSee Less
FROM TV6 & FOX UP >> FIRST ALERT: Higher snowfall is now expected for portions of Marquette and Alger counties. It comes in rounds of lake effect snow starting this evening and goes through Monday evening. Plan for moderate to heavy snow, hazardous roads, and limited visibility at times. Warnings could be issued. Another update with the latest changes comes this afternoon! #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaFIRST ALERT: Higher snowfall is now expected for portions of Marquette and Alger counties. It comes in rounds of lake effect snow starting this evening and goes through Monday evening. Plan for moderate to heavy snow, hazardous roads, and limited visibility at times. Warnings could be issued. Another update with the latest changes comes this afternoon! ... See MoreSee Less
FROM US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> The first widespread lake effect snow event of the year is set to kick off tonight and last through Monday. The heaviest snowfall across the central U.P. will be highly contingent on where the strongest lake effect snowbands persist. Expect sharp snowfall gradients and rapid changes in road conditions impacting weekend travel and Monday commutes. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #newberry #seney #soo #straitsareaThe first widespread lake effect snow event of the year is set to kick off tonight and last through Monday. The heaviest snowfall across the central U.P. will be highly contingent on where the strongest lake effect snowbands persist. Expect sharp snowfall gradients and rapid changes in road conditions impacting weekend travel and Monday commutes. ... See MoreSee Less