Sault Ste. Marie Trail Report – 01/15
SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – 1/15
Groomer Jay hit part of the city trails and trail 8 out to Brimley and back early this morning. 8 west to Raco and parts of 480 as well as 889 were also down overnight and shoukd be excellent!
We got a couple of pics in from riders that saw Jay out today. (Thanks guys!)
It’s another chilly one today so please be safe out there!
Jay did that the trails set up beautifully with the sun zero temps.
Enjoy!❄️❄️❄️
Please join or donate today at www.sootrails.org to help support our volunteers!
SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – 1/14
Groomer Dave hit the city trails tonigt. Already a very busy weekend!
We’ll be out every day doing our best to keep the trails as smooth as we can.
Stay safe and stay warm!
Thank you Dave and all volunteers!❄❄❄
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SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – 1/13
Good evening! We have a lot of snow on the ground, the most which fell right in the Soo. Our trails have really benefitted as a result. We have some very cold air moving in with wind chills in the -40s expected tomorrow morning. While the cold will undoubtedly help freeze up our wet areas to the south on trail 49, conditions will be dangerous. Please be safe if you head out! The good news is that all 3 groomers are up and running now. We are still waiting for a 4th loaner groomer that should arrive later this month. We are hopeful that it will be here before the I-500. We want to thank the Chippewa Snow Chasers to our west for grooming a portion of our trails today while the Pisten Bully was down. Much appreciated! Please see details below for each trail.
*Sault Ste. Marie to Brimley, Trail #8 –
Excellent- groomed 1/13 – lots of new snow here so this trail is excellent!
*Brimley to Raco, Trail #8 and #480 to just west of Spile Dam
Good- groomed 1/13
When going across the bridge in Brimley make sure you go with the flow of traffic! Blowing and drifting occurs when you first leave Brimley.
Watch for trail change going south just before getting to Raco.
*Mission Hill trail #889
Good – groomed 1/13
*Sault Ste. Marie City Trail, Trails #497, #449, parts of #8 & #49
Excellent- Groomed 1/12– overall in good shape with some drifting by the airport.
There is a WET AREA on the courtesy trail to The Antlers. DO NOT attempt to ride through there. Sleds are getting stuck in deep water and mud. All of the new snow will help and that shouldn’t be an issue much longer, we just need to get in there to check it out.
Be sure to stop at the stop sign on top of the hill by the tunnel. It is very difficult for groomers to stop when they are going up hill so please stop and stay off to the side.
City curfew is from 1 am – 6 am. Remember most City streets are open to traffic 20 mph, stop at all intersections, and ride on the right hand side of the street, not on side walks. Watch for closed streets that are posted, mainly around the hospital, university, and state trunk lines.
*Sault Ste. Marie to Kinross, Trail #49 –
Fair to Poor – groomed 1/13– We can only groom to just south to 12 mile at this time. There was an open ditch where the bridge is out south of 3 mile mile that has likely frozen over enough for sleds but the groomer keeps breaking through so we are not grooming that section for now. There are also wet areas south of 12 mile. Gates are currently open but it will be bumpy since it’s not groomed much south of 12 mile.
*Kinross loop & south to Pickford, Parts of Trail #49, #472, and #494-
Fair to good- some moguls
*Kinross to Raco & Rudyard, Parts of trail #472 & #480-
Good – Groomed 1/12 Groomer Dave was able to fill in a lot of the moguls with new snow.
There is a long stretch of road riding along Ploegstra Road before you get to the Spile Dam area where it is down to pavement when we do not have recent snow
Ride safe and stay warm!❄🥶❄🥶
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Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Facebook Page
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Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Trail Report on MSA
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Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A couple rounds of heavy lake effect snow will develop first across Luce County tonight through tomorrow, then across the western U.P./Keweenaw tomorrow into Saturday afternoon. Winter Weather Advisories and Warnings are in effect from tonight through Saturday afternoon. Greatest snowfall accumulations are expected across the higher terrain west of a line from Ironwood to White Plains, and from Mass City to Painesdale. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA couple rounds of heavy lake effect snow will develop first across Luce County tonight through tomorrow, then across the western U.P./Keweenaw tomorrow into Saturday afternoon. Winter Weather Advisories and Warnings are in effect from tonight through Saturday afternoon. Greatest snowfall accumulations are expected across the higher terrain west of a line from Ironwood to White Plains, and from Mass City to Painesdale.
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 1/14/26
Good evening!
We saw a huge temperature swing today, after wet snow and rain later in the day yesterday. 35 last night, 1 tonight with negative windchills🥶
Lane and Randy went on a mission today to work on trail 49 where some water holes opened up during the warm up.
Here’s what Lane had to say, and photos to give you all a visual-
“I took 49 north out of Kinross to try to work on a water hole just south of 9 mile. I took Randy along with me and I was glad I did, he was a big help. That hole is a very deep hole. We filled it with as much ice and snow as we could. It is not pretty, but should freeze in good with these temps. We also worked on a few other water spots that filled in great. The bridge just south of 8 mile had a trench of water on the bridge. That filled in good and will freeze up good also. All the rest of the trail is great. The swamp south of 12 mile held up great and groomed really nice.”
Thank you, Lane and Randy! The timing for this work could not be better. Mid week traffic is light, temps are frigid, and there’s not any significant snow forecasted, so these spots should really lock up now.
The work that our operators put in to the spot south of 11 mile, and near Devils Hill are holding up awesome, even after the warm up the last few days.
This trail continues to improve with each run, and is still so far ahead of where we normally are this time in the season.
Ride safe and stay warm! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #soo0114b #snowphotos
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 1/14/26
Brimley Bill did the Brimley to Raco route tonight, which is 8 between Brimley and Ranger Rd, and 480 from the Spile Dam Turnaround to 8.
Here’s what he had to say-
“The base is real solid. There were sections of trail with a lot of drifts on the edges. I was able to cut into all the drifts with the Dubie wings, and pull the snow back into the trail. The result is trails that are smooth and flat across the width of the trail.“
Looks awesome, thank you Bill!! 🙌🏼 #soo #soo0114 #snowphotos
WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Here is your final look at snowfall totals over a 36-hour period from tonight, through midday Thursday, January 14th through 15th, 2026. NOTE, snow will start overnight for the UP, but later tomorrow morning into the afternoon for the LP.
Discussion
Lake effect snow is the rave with this one. Winds almost directly out of the north coupled with low-level DGZ and strong forcing will allow for many of the areas in dark blue, and especially pink pick up well over half a foot of fresh snow with this event. Hyper-localized banding is expected, which is when the span of 20 miles sees a difference in snow accumulation of 1", to perhaps 12-18". A 1° change in wind direction will help, or hurt your chances at significant snowfall if you're right along the lakeshore areas, especially SW Michigan.
Inland areas will only see under an inch within an initial snow squall and light lake effect afterward. We are not confident that the stretch from Lansing to Port Huron will get more than 1.5", but we put 1-3" just in case. Lake Huron will also show off lake effect snow, with parts of Huron county seeing 4-8". To the north, northwest lower Michigan will see 2-5" and 4-8", with a localized swath of 6"+ near Manistee and points surrounding. Lastly, the UP will see its highest totals along the higher elevation areas of the central portion of the peninsula.
Wind gusts up to 30 mph, even 40-45 mph are likely with this snow, and as a result, near-zero visibilities and drifted roads may occur near each lakeshore. Allow extra travel time when driving on Wednesday in the 4-8", or 6-12"/6-18" zones. We will have radar, weather camera, and traffic updates coming tomorrow as the snow comes down, so drop a follow here at Michigan Storm Chasers for coverage. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyHere is your final look at snowfall totals over a 36-hour period from tonight, through midday Thursday, January 14th through 15th, 2026. NOTE, snow will start overnight for the UP, but later tomorrow morning into the afternoon for the LP.
Discussion
Lake effect snow is the rave with this one. Winds almost directly out of the north coupled with low-level DGZ and strong forcing will allow for many of the areas in dark blue, and especially pink pick up well over half a foot of fresh snow with this event. Hyper-localized banding is expected, which is when the span of 20 miles sees a difference in snow accumulation of 1", to perhaps 12-18". A 1° change in wind direction will help, or hurt your chances at significant snowfall if you're right along the lakeshore areas, especially SW Michigan.
Inland areas will only see under an inch within an initial snow squall and light lake effect afterward. We are not confident that the stretch from Lansing to Port Huron will get more than 1.5", but we put 1-3" just in case. Lake Huron will also show off lake effect snow, with parts of Huron county seeing 4-8". To the north, northwest lower Michigan will see 2-5" and 4-8", with a localized swath of 6"+ near Manistee and points surrounding. Lastly, the UP will see its highest totals along the higher elevation areas of the central portion of the peninsula.
Wind gusts up to 30 mph, even 40-45 mph are likely with this snow, and as a result, near-zero visibilities and drifted roads may occur near each lakeshore. Allow extra travel time when driving on Wednesday in the 4-8", or 6-12"/6-18" zones. We will have radar, weather camera, and traffic updates coming tomorrow as the snow comes down, so drop a follow here at Michigan Storm Chasers for coverage.
-- Trusted Partner on Wednesday --
Top Gun Roofing & Exteriors | 616-900-8033, call today for all exterior home needs across the Grand Rapids area!
WEATHER UPDATE via Meteorologist Brad Sugden >> SNOW TIME!! Lake effect areas, you're about to be buried in some locations! This is purely lake effect that kicks in Wednesday morning and lasts through Thursday afternoon. Thursday afternoon the lake effect subsides as another clipper system moves in.
Temperatures are warmest Wednesday morning then drop significantly into the late afternoon and evening. Many will have wind chills below zero.
Snow will be fluffy and BLOWING. Gusts near 40mph can be expected. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #munising #newberry #soo #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Old Soo Line Grade Lodge >> 🎉❄️ TRAIL 480 IS OFFICIALLY REOPENED! ❄️🎉
The bridge is in, the trail is groomed, and Trail 480 is back in action in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula! 💨 This is a HUGE win for riders and a key connection for our local trail system.
A big THANK YOU goes out to the Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association for their tireless work grooming and advocating for our trails, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for their coordination and support, and the contractor who delivered a solid bridge that will serve riders for years to come. 👏👏👏
This project took teamwork, patience, and dedication—and it shows. We’re proud to see riders safely crossing once again and enjoying everything the U.P. has to offer.
If you’re riding through the area, fuel up, ride safe, and enjoy the fresh trail!
** There is still exposed stone at the bridge …. Please see the updates on the associations page!
Stay Safe …
📍 Trail 480 | Eastern U.P.
🏁 Open • Groomed • Ready to Ride #soo🎉❄️ TRAIL 480 IS OFFICIALLY REOPENED! ❄️🎉
The bridge is in, the trail is groomed, and Trail 480 is back in action in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula! 💨 This is a HUGE win for riders and a key connection for our local trail system.
A big THANK YOU goes out to the Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association for their tireless work grooming and advocating for our trails, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for their coordination and support, and the contractor who delivered a solid bridge that will serve riders for years to come. 👏👏👏
This project took teamwork, patience, and dedication—and it shows. We’re proud to see riders safely crossing once again and enjoying everything the U.P. has to offer.
If you’re riding through the area, fuel up, ride safe, and enjoy the fresh trail!
** There is still exposed stone at the bridge …. Please see the updates on the associations page!
Stay Safe …
📍 Trail 480 | Eastern U.P.
🏁 Open • Groomed • Ready to Ride
#Trail480 #UPSnowmobiling #BackOnTheTrail #SaultSnowmobile #OldSooLineGrade #RideTheUP #SnowmobilingMichigan #ThankYouGroomers #MIDNR
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