SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/29
12/29 5:30 PM update
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!
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SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/29
12/29/25
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!
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SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/29/25
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.
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 2/13/26 Good morning all! We absolutely love receiving messages like this! Thank you, Stewart K. for sending this and for your feedback! “Had the great pleasure of meeting Richard on the trail yesterday on our ride from the Sault to Brimley. The trails were fantastic. Thank you.” Stewart came upon Rich cutting up a tree in the trail and stopped to help him👏🏼👏🏼 Rich is 80 some years young and has been volunteering nearly as long as I’ve been alive. He’s a treasure to our club, and we so appreciate his service! Thank you again, Stewart! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #soo0213#snowphotos... See MoreSee Less
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> Good evening everyone! We would like to extend our deepest gratitude and appreciation to Paula and Carl with the Motor City SledHeads LLC, as well as all of these awesome people who participated in their annual couples ride here in the Soo and surrounding area 2 weekends ago! I was fortunate to join them, and I had a great time! We appreciate their very generous donation to our club! We hope you’ll come back again! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #soo0212b#snowphotos... See MoreSee Less
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 ... See MoreSee Less
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 ... See MoreSee Less
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! ... See MoreSee Less
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. 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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SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 2/11/26 A few shots from Bryan of the city trails. Warm daytime temps are coming, but we’ll be out when it’s below 30 as we move through this tiny warm up. Things are absolutely excellent right now! Thank you Bryan and all operators! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #soo0211b#snowphotos... See MoreSee Less
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 ... See MoreSee Less
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 2/11/2026 Good morning all! Yesterday and overnight Lane was out on the 472 to 480 loop, Dennis did the 49 and 494 loop, and the Bryan did the city trails and down 49 to 8 mile. The kinross crew did 49 up to 8 mile. Everything is in great shape with the 4-5” of fresh snow that we received over the past couple of days. Here are some photos from Lane’s run. Thank you to all of our operators, especially those that are picking up the slack due to the one machine that is still down. I hope to have an update on that soon!❄️❄️❄️ **to join or donate, please visit our website at www.sootrails.org** #soo #soo0211#snowphotos... See MoreSee Less
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! ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Key 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! #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! ... See MoreSee Less
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. ... See MoreSee Less