Sault Ste. Marie Trail Report – 02/12
SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – 02/12 Zeke and Dana were also out very early for their run on part of trail 8 and 889, the Mission Hill overlook loop. These trails took a big beating yesterday but they got them smooth! <> Beautiful video of Zeke in the Pisten Bully out on 889 this morning. One of the benefits of being a groomer is the beauty that we get to see at a much slower pace than when on a sled. If you would like to volunteer, we’re always looking for more help! www.sootrails.org to join or donate. Thank you! <> A few pics and Pete’s report from late last night on the city trails. <> <> 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 >> 12/11/25 WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Lake effect snow showers slowly confine to the Lake Michigan shoreline and the Whitefish Bay area tonight, with some additional accumulation potential. Looking ahead, most areas start dry with just some light lake effect snow. A clipper passes through Friday evening / overnight, opening the door for a sharply colder and snowier weekend. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberryLake effect snow showers slowly confine to the Lake Michigan shoreline and the Whitefish Bay area tonight, with some additional accumulation potential. Looking ahead, most areas start dry with just some light lake effect snow. A clipper passes through Friday evening / overnight, opening the door for a sharply colder and snowier weekend. #MIwx WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect snow weakens today, though a couple of inches of fluffy snow is still possible over the east today. The next system to bring widespread snow arrives Friday, with snow totals near 3 inches of the east and for the Copper Country with totals around an inch elsewhere before NW wind lake effect snow resumes. Look for low temps to fall to near 0 in the interior west Friday night! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLake effect snow weakens today, though a couple of inches of fluffy snow is still possible over the east today. The next system to bring widespread snow arrives Friday, with snow totals near 3 inches of the east and for the Copper Country with totals around an inch elsewhere before NW wind lake effect snow resumes. Look for low temps to fall to near 0 in the interior west Friday night! SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/10/25 WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Northwest lake effect snow showers continue, mainly over the eastern U.P. through Thursday night. Cold temperatures persist with lows in the single digits to low 20s, coldest interior west, and highs on Thursday in the 20s. Expect single digit wind chills during the overnight periods. The next round of widespread light snowfall arrives on Friday. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaNorthwest lake effect snow showers continue, mainly over the eastern U.P. through Thursday night. Cold temperatures persist with lows in the single digits to low 20s, coldest interior west, and highs on Thursday in the 20s. Expect single digit wind chills during the overnight periods. The next round of widespread light snowfall arrives on Friday. WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Northwest winds kick in later today, allowing for lake effect snow to return primarily for the areas drenched in shades of blue. A couple locations will pick up 1-3" or greater within the most intense bands. We are monitoring the Kalkaska county region the closest for potential upgrades, but this should be a good base forecast to get you through the end of the day on Thursday, December 11th. This forecast starts at 5 pm EST this evening when the advisories end for the system, while the lake effect bands begin coming on shore. A couple of squalls may produce blowing snow, reduced visibilities under half a mile, and a very miniscule chance for thundersnow. Areas without a color designation are not anticipated to benefit from the lake effect snow this time around. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect snow returns to the UP today through tomorrow for the north to northwest wind snowbelts. The greatest accumulations are expected east of Marquette. Gusty north to northwest winds may create areas of low visibility and blowing snow at times. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLake effect snow returns to the UP today through tomorrow for the north to northwest wind snowbelts. The greatest accumulations are expected east of Marquette. Gusty north to northwest winds may create areas of low visibility and blowing snow at times. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A quick batch of snowfall is expected tonight into Wednesday as a clipper system tracks to the south. Mainly 1 to 3 inches are expected area-wide. Light lake effect snow lingers in the north, then northwest wind belts Wednesday and Thursday. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA quick batch of snowfall is expected tonight into Wednesday as a clipper system tracks to the south. Mainly 1 to 3 inches are expected area-wide. Light lake effect snow lingers in the north, then northwest wind belts Wednesday and Thursday. SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/9/25 WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Ongoing snowfall will taper off through this morning before a second clipper takes aim at the Great Lakes tonight through Wednesday morning. Uncertainty in the track of the clipper system could impact snowfall amounts. At this time, the highest snowfall amounts are expected across WI up to the UP border counties. Light lake effect snow will linger for the N to NW wind snowbelts Wednesday. WEATHER UPDATE via Meteorologist Brad Sugden >> Timing post!! WEATHER UPDATE via Meteorologist Brad Sugden >> Snow time!! <> Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links <>
Thanks guys! Looking night and day different! 😍
Thank you Dana for sending this! Gorgeous!
“Swapped grooming nights with Groomer Jay because I’m off for vacation in Florida tomorrow. I went out late to allow the temps to drop below freezing. The trails are in good shape for the weather we are having. The woods sections are burned down to the ground in some
Corners, and many moguls are forming from aggressive riding. Riders need to slow down in the corners. The snow is very sugary and is not packing well. That seems to be the story tonight, the snow condition is granular and chunky from ice formation. The corners will be extremely soft and carbides will just push in the corners. I see somebody found the edge of the hay bales near the casino, looked like a messy situation. The trail between 8 and the business spur shows the heaviest traffic. The other city trails are holding up well and groomed pretty flat.
Please slow down and ride gently to help us preserve the base. The groomers are doing their part, riders need to do theirs!”
Thank you Pete!
🚨🚨please use caution when coming out of the tunnel on 49 toward trail 8. One of the mats in the tunnel was pulled up the other night by the drag. I noticed it on Friday night and buried it but it keeps coming up. We’ll try to cut it out🚨🚨
Thanks all! Ride safe! Think cold and snow!Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
Groomer Ken got out to play off trail in the Raco area today on the forest service roads. He said there’s lots of fluff and to be mindful off trail for stumps and rocks as the base on the off trail roads and 2 tracks is still building. Love when our volunteers get to get out and play a bit!
Thanks for sharing, Ken! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #snowphotos 
Hello everyone!
‼️ Important trail notice!!! ‼️
You may have seen us talk about the construction on trails 472 & 480 in the Spile Dam area between Raco, Rudyard, and Kinross.
There is MAJOR construction in there to build a brand new bridge, as well as build up the road (from sand/dirt to gravel). There is a ton of equipment in there.
While we do not have authority to close the trail, we are strongly advising that you avoid this area until further notice. The gate on the Raco end remains closed.
We cannot groom from Tilson road on 472 all the way to just the other side of the Raco gate on 480.
I wanted to share a visual on the map of where we are talking about. The green area in the rectangle is where we are asking you to avoid, for your own safety, and the safety of the contractors.
Expected completion is sometime in January, weather depending. We will update as we learn more.
I’ll pin this post so that it’s easy to reference.
Thanks all! #soo12/10/25
Hello everyone!
‼️ Important trail notice!!! ‼️
You may have seen us talk about the construction on trails 472 & 480 in the Spile Dam area between Raco, Rudyard, and Kinross.
There is MAJOR construction in there to build a brand new bridge, as well as build up the road (from sand/dirt to gravel). There is a ton of equipment in there.
While we do not have authority to close the trail, we are strongly advising that you avoid this area until further notice. The gate on the Raco end remains closed.
We cannot groom from Tilson road on 472 all the way to just the other side of the Raco gate on 480.
I wanted to share a visual on the map of where we are talking about. The green area in the rectangle is where we are asking you to avoid, for your own safety, and the safety of the contractors.
Expected completion is sometime in January, weather depending. We will update as we learn more.
I’ll pin this post so that it’s easy to reference.
Thanks all!
We are watching for more snow chances Friday into Saturday. More details either later today, or first thing tomorrow. Keep it tuned in here at MSC! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyNorthwest winds kick in later today, allowing for lake effect snow to return primarily for the areas drenched in shades of blue. A couple locations will pick up 1-3" or greater within the most intense bands. We are monitoring the Kalkaska county region the closest for potential upgrades, but this should be a good base forecast to get you through the end of the day on Thursday, December 11th. This forecast starts at 5 pm EST this evening when the advisories end for the system, while the lake effect bands begin coming on shore. A couple of squalls may produce blowing snow, reduced visibilities under half a mile, and a very miniscule chance for thundersnow. Areas without a color designation are not anticipated to benefit from the lake effect snow this time around.
We are watching for more snow chances Friday into Saturday. More details either later today, or first thing tomorrow. Keep it tuned in here at MSC!
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Last update for today- we’ve been busy for a Tuesday!
Bryan and his son (future operator) Logan headed out for the first pass of the season on the remaining city trails.
Here’s what Bryan had to say-
“Logan and I headed out to groom town tonight. We skipped the tunnel and through to the airport to let the water hole north of the tunnel freeze up. Most of town looks really good, but there are several water/mud spots to use extra caution around. Hopefully all will be set up nicely by morning.”
Thank you guys! Great work!
❄️❄️join or donate today at www.sootrails.org❄️❄️ #soo #snowphotos
Find the full weather briefing here: www.weather.gov/media/mqt/DssPacket.pdf #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea
Most of us got that quick burst of 1-2" (locally 3") earlier, and we're already onto the next system - later today!! Fast!
Notice we'll have a distinct rain/ snow line to the south.
Models have all come together nicely. That's a great thing because it lines up with my forecast quite nice. My snow map was posted earlier! Scroll my page!
Some areas are looking at up to 6"of snow.
Rain falling into cold snow pack roads will cause some very slick conditions. Dirt roads, I'm talking to you! You know this already, though haha.
Most treated roads to the south will be ok, though. Anywhere all snow all the time (north of I-96) will be very slow going!
Want a home with a fireplace and big windows to watch the snow!? (I dream of this) #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey
This is late Tuesday thru Wednesday AM only. Repeat that. 😅
About 1-2 inches could fall Tuesday AM before this second system moves in.
There will be some rain mixed in to the south. Please note that'll make back dirt roads quite slick for those folks.
Temperatures stay in the 20s further north, so it'll be a lighter, fluffy snow.
Roads Wednesday AM won't be fun.
This is followed by cold and some lake effect! More slick roads possible with that. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traverscity #petoskeySnow time!!
This is late Tuesday thru Wednesday AM only. Repeat that. 😅
About 1-2 inches could fall Tuesday AM before this second system moves in.
There will be some rain mixed in to the south. Please note that'll make back dirt roads quite slick for those folks.
Temperatures stay in the 20s further north, so it'll be a lighter, fluffy snow.
Roads Wednesday AM won't be fun.
This is followed by cold and some lake effect! More slick roads possible with that.
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