Sault Ste. Marie Area Trail Report – 12/31
SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – 12/31 12/31- finally seeing cooler temps and light snow this morning, even though none was forecasted for today. News stations are starting to report that we should see measurable snow by Thursday in the 6-8” range. All indications are that that our base survived, but obviously we have not been on every single part of each trail. We know that 49 south of the Soo and the city trails from Kewadin to Ashmun will be very wet and we are continuing to advise that you stay out of both areas, even after the snow comes, until we can assess those areas. We can’t roll groomers until there is measurable fresh snow to groom, and even then we’ll likely let sleds pack it down first to preserve it. I can tell you that they were flat as heck before the warm up, so my hope is that they still are. I read 8” left here on my snow gauge in the Soo. The woods have more. When I looked at trail 8 yesterday, I’d say there’s easily a 4-5” ice base. We’ll keep you posted! Have a safe and happy New Years Eve celebration everyone! Do your snow boogie! ❄️❄️❄️ <> <> Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Facebook Page <> WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A clipper low will bring widespread light snow to the U.P today with generally less than an inch of snowfall. The exception will be in the northwest wind snowbelts where up to 4” of dry fluffy snow is possible. It will be cold for New Years Eve and those headed out should dress accordingly; temperatures in the single digits and breezy conditions will result in sub zero wind chills. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA clipper low will bring widespread light snow to the U.P today with generally less than an inch of snowfall. The exception will be in the northwest wind snowbelts where up to 4” of dry fluffy snow is possible. It will be cold for New Years Eve and those headed out should dress accordingly; temperatures in the single digits and breezy conditions will result in sub zero wind chills. WEATHER UPDATE via TV6 & FOX UP >> Lake effect snow continues in Alger County this morning. Then, a clipper system brings slight snow by the afternoon followed by more lake effect snow tomorrow! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea EASTERN U.P. UPDATE via Mackinac County Snowmobile Association >> Tuesday December 30 SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/30/25 11 AM WEATHER UPDATE via Meteorologist Brad Sugden >> Lake effect bands continue to drop up to 5-6"for some this Tuesday! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyLake effect bands continue to drop up to 5-6"for some this Tuesday! SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/29 SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/29 Really appreciate your updates and efforts to keep us safe and smooth SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/29 5:30 PM update WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lingering lake effect snow and blowing snow tonight, especially in the east. Then, widespread light snow tomorrow with another round of lake effect snow Tuesday night into Wednesday. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLingering lake effect snow and blowing snow tonight, especially in the east. Then, widespread light snow tomorrow with another round of lake effect snow Tuesday night into Wednesday. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Next round of accumulating snow is expected for the snow belts Tue PM through Wed. Several inches of snow is expected across parts of northwest lower and eastern upper Michigan, with a high chance for 4” or more. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberryNext round of accumulating snow is expected for the snow belts Tue PM through Wed. Several inches of snow is expected across parts of northwest lower and eastern upper Michigan, with a high chance for 4” or more. <> Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links <>Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
We really got the snow yeaterday. Cut river area seemed to be the winner with claims to 36 inches. St ignace received a foot or more and Trout lake closer to 2ft. With all that snow comes the fun stuff. We did pan what we could last night but had to turn around and could not make it into St ignace do to down trees. We will need a few days to get this storm cleaned up. It is passable to St Ignace by sled but ungroomed until clean up is done. So much snow came at once it will take several passes to get a good hard base again so please be patient with us for a few days while we get things in order. Use extreme caution while riding in our area as there still is branches in the trail. We will update as soon as conditions change. Thank you #soo #straitsarea #newberry #snowphotos
Attention local riders. While we are not asking you to go out, if you are out riding today, please report what you are seeing and any hazards so we can warn others. As we get to all routes, we will also update. As a reminder, the only trails that have been groomed since the storm hit are trail 8 from the Soo to Brimley, and the city trails (49 to Alberta lane and the Don Dee, the I500/ Holiday Inn trail, 449 to Kewadin, and the high school trail).
I just spoke with Bruce who will be hitting the 494 loop south of Kinross, and he’s going to also head north to 12 mile on 49 if he’s able to safely.
I’m still working on getting someone for 49 from the Soo to 12 mile.
The Pisten Bully is still at the Soo barn, so 8 west of Brimley, the Raco powerline, 480 to the Spile Dam gate, and the 889 loop have not been touched. I know that there are monster drifts out that way. Possibly downed trees too. Even very experienced riders are getting stuck across the UP after this strom. PLEASE be very careful!
Again, please see the pinned post about 472/480 construction.
Thank you! #soo
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Trail 8 from the Soo to Brimley update ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #snowphotos
Last one for tonight! Whew! What a day!
I need to talk with the groomer bosses to find out the game plan for the remaining areas. My earlier video is the best I know right now.
Pete had an excellent run on the city trails, and Jay and I had a great run on 8 from the Soo to Brimley tonight. Temps were perfect for setting things up. We still had heavy snow squalls at times, and drifting will continue overnight, I’m sure.
Thank you for your patience as we try to get to all areas. I know that 49 between the soo and kinross is on everyone’s minds, just as it is mine. I’ll get the scoop tomorrow, now that hopefully most of our volunteers have been able to dig out.
Goodnight! #soo #soo1229b #snowphotos
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! #soo