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Albert Lea, Freeborn County, Minnesota

Reporter:Mike Heilmann

Trail Conditions: Poor

Snow Cover: POOR

Date of Report: February 17, 2020

Area Report:

SNOW HAS MELTED SOME,TRAILS ARE BARE IN SPOTS

Snowmobiling Information

Visit Freeborn County and ride more than 300 miles of groomed trails through scenic woods and hills as well as Big Island State Park with an abundance of wildlife and natural
alberta-leabeauty.

The Freeborn County Snowmobile Trail System is groomed 7 days a week on a rotating basis, so that each section of the trail is groomed 2-3 times each week. Two groomers run the trails daily. All trails are 10ft wide with the exception of hills, which are double-wide for safety. The trail system is extremely well marked with orange diamonds approximately every 300 feet.

There is trail access to most motels and restaurants in Albert Lea as well as restaurants throughout the county.

Watersmeet, Michigan

Reporter:Chamber

Trail Conditions: Good

Snow Cover: Too good for you not to be here!

Date of Report: February 10, 2020

Area Report:

Groomers are running nightly, trails are in good shape. Groomers run once a day and typically at night, so towards the end of the day with lots of traffic the trails are going to be rough until the groomer goes out again. Trail #3 from the Wisconsin Border and Trail #2 east are both seeing over 250 sleds during a 6 hr period and this is making it very hard to hold the groom

Trail #3 from the Wisconsin border to Watersmeet good but lots of traffic very hard to hold a groom, Watersmeet to Paulding good. Both logging project on Trail #3 are done

Trail #2 west of Watersmeet out to Trail #1 south, very good

Trail #2 east of Watersmeet to Trail #107, good but lots of traffic hard to hold the groom

Trail #13 south to Cisco Chain, good

Snowmobiling Information

Winter snowmobiling excitement runs rampant throughout the Watersmeet Michigan area. Hundreds of lakes and acres of state and national forest lands provide a winter wonderland for enthusiastic riders. 

Watersmeet Michigan and Land O’ Lakes Wisconsin, located on the border of Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula provides an excellent home base for your winter excursions. Trails to the north connect with the serene trail network of the Upper Peninsula. Corridor 6 guides riders across the northern section at the eastern border, through Land O’Lakes as it continues on to Presque Isle.

Watersmeet, Michigan is the gateway to snowmobiling in the Upper Peninsula with access to Minnesota, Lower Michigan and Wisconsin. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan has a reputation for an extensive groomed snowmobile trail network, exciting terrain, and an abundance of snow. In the entire State of Michigan there are over 5,800 miles of snowmobile trails located throughout six state Forest, three National Forests and many acres of privately owned lands. About 230 miles are located in the Ottawa National Forest. Yearly Michigan trail permits are required.

This area offers the pure enthusiast miles of groomed trails in the north in Upper Michigan and short trips to various Wisconsin towns to the south, east, and west. Gas, rentals, sales, and meals, are within minutes of each lodging facility The snowmobiler can ride from any lodging location without the need of the vehicle that brought them.

Annual snow fall generally between 100 and 250 inches 35 miles of groomed trails that interconnect.

Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Reporter:SaultSteMarie

Trail Conditions: Good

Snow Cover: Base Snowfall: 12″

Date of Report: February 19, 2022

Area Report:

Wow! What a week it has been around here.  We were down to one groomer again for a few days but now all 4 are fully functional. We also got a lot of snow Friday night into Saturday, hard to say how much but several inches for sure. There will lots of blowing and drifting so use caution. We will do the best that we can to keep up with the busy holiday weekend traffic. We appreciate your patience! Please check the facebook page for the latest updates. Ride safe, ride right, ride sober! Please scroll down for each trail.

 

—We’ve had a busy year, brushing, signing and performing necessary repairs on our 100 mile trail system and our equipment. Please see our Facebook page for pictures and updates on what our dedicated volunteers have accomplished. Thank you all for riding our trail system and supporting the businesses that support the Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association!—

 

-There is now a plowed parking area at the beginning of trail #8 under the International Bridge, which has an all season porta John.  Make sure you lock your vehicles and trailers.

 

-We now have a marked trail going to Chippewa Motors.  It starts once you come out of the woods east of M-129 off #449.  It comes into their parking lot from behind if you need parts or service.

-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 street not on side walks. Watch for closed streets that are posted, mainly around the hospital, university, and state trunk lines.

-When the trail is running along roads make sure you go with the flow of traffic on the right side of the road.

-Remember trail base is the amount of snow between your track and the ground below not the amount of fluff piled up in the woods.  10 inches of snow compresses to less then a inch on the trail.

-If you are staying in the Sault please look at our list of supporters on our web page and give them your business.  Please do that in all towns you visit.  The grooming entities are all made up of volunteers who want you to support those who support us!!!!!!

 

-Follow us on Facebook too!

-www.sootrails.org

 

*Sault Ste. Marie to Brimley, Trail #8 –

Good – groomed 2/19

*Brimley to Raco, Trail #8 and #480 to just west of Spile Dam

Excellent- groomed 2/19,  may have some drifting just west of Brimley

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

Excellent – groomed 2/19

 

*Sault Ste. Marie City Trail, Trails #497, #449, parts of #8 & #49

Good – groomed 2/18

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.

We now have a marked trail going to Chippewa Motors. It starts once you come out of the woods east of M-129 off #449. It comes into their parking lot from behind if you need parts or service.

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 –

Good –  groomed 2/18

Make sure you follow the reroute once you cross the bridge going south at 7 Mile road .

 

*Kinross loop & south to Pickford, Parts of Trail #49, #472, and #494-

Good-  will be groomed 2/18- watch for logging trucks between 21 an 22 mile road. Pull over and let them pass if you see them.

 

*Kinross to Raco & Rudyard, Parts of trail #472 & #480-

Good-  will be groomed 2/18

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!

Snowmobiling Information

Download our Trail Map

Join us for the 54th Annual International I-500 Snowmobile Race and experience all the thrills of NASCAR on a one-mile oval ice track.

The I-500 is the BIGGEST event in the Upper Peninsula and in the entire snowmobile-racing world. No Hans devices. No padding. Just 100% raw courage!

When drivers accelerate to speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour on the straightaways, your heart will race…
If you enjoy NASCAR, you will love the I-500 Snowmobile Race. It’s, “NASCAR on Ice!”

Every snowmobile adventure requires one very important element: snow! Averaging more than 120 inches annually, Sault Ste. Marie is a snowmobiler’s dream and the perfect hub from which to explore hundreds of miles of groomed trails across the Eastern Upper Peninsula and beyond.

                                

Connecting a variety of small communities and running through national forests, state forest lands and snow-covered hills and plains across the region, touring the EUP by snowmobile is both exhilarating and awe-inspiring. Watch for the abundant wildlife and be sure to leave time for hearty lunches and dinners at area restaurants and taverns.

Most, but not all, city streets are open to safe snowmobiling and allow riders access to businesses and lodging. A break from the trail is equally exhilarating at Kewadin Casino or in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, where a local brew pub, wineries and restaurants await you. Be sure to put the first Saturday in February on your calendar, when the International 500 snowmobile race brings NASCAR-style excitement to the snowy city.

      

Ontonagon County, Michigan

Snowmobiling Information

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Snow

Winter lays a white blanket across the hills inviting all to come outdoors and play.

Snowmobile down endless groomed trails. Michigan is a snowmobiler’s paradise, boasting more than six million acres of state and federal lands along with hundreds of miles of privately owned trails

It’s Snow Time for West Michigan Snowmobilers Michigan ranks among the top eight snowmobiling states in the nation. It’s first in sheer beauty, with thousands of miles of groomed and ungroomed public trails. They span whole regions of countryside, winding across rolling fields, then plunging down woodland ravines up into deep pine forests, from town to town in West Michigan.

If wintry trails beckon you, West Michigan has it all. In fact, a growing number of hotels, motels and resorts offer door-to-trail proximity.

No agency has been more active in transforming West Michigan into a haven for snowmobile enthusiasts than the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). They are the creators and guardians of West Michigan’s major trail network through the state park system. But to use MDNR trails, you must have a permit. The cost is $45. Permits may be obtained by calling WMTA at 1-800-246-0260.

If you enjoy snowmobile racing, you won’t want to miss the North American Snowmobile Festival Sno-Cross Races in Cadillac, January 31, and February 1. The winter equivalent to motorcycle racing, competitors will run a manmade course of jumps, moguls, twists and turns. Race classes will be available for anyone over 10 years old. To enter the racing events, call the American Snowmobile Racing Association at (905) 476-7182.

The races signal the start of Cadillac’s North American Snowmobile Festival, February 3-8. In its 14th year, the event features a poker run, fireworks and a chili cookoff. Activities for kids and grown ups alike range from snow sculptures to winter softball, snowmobile safety classes, trail lunches and a cross-country ski tour. For information on the Snow-Cross Race the Snowmobile Festival or any of West Michigan’s other outstanding snowmobile events, call WMTA at (800) 442-2084.

Snowmobiling is becoming more and more a family sport. Safety is paramount. Most accidents occur when drivers override their headlights at high speeds on remote trails. Alcohol is frequently a factor. When you snowmobile in West Michigan, observe state laws. Protect the environment and your own safety by sticking to established trails. Use common sense and courtesy. And enjoy!

Marquette – Ishpeming, Michigan

Snowmobiling Information

The chilly north winds sweep over the rolling waves of beautiful Lake Superior creating the lake effect snows that blanket Marquette County in North Central Upper Michigan. More than 200 inches of powdery white fluff combined with over 750 miles of smooth, wide, picturesque trails entice snowmobilers to enjoy the splendor this area provides.

From Big Bay south, Trail 5 is teeming with wildlife and wilderness for nature lovers to behold as they travel to Cheapen, Republic, and on to Sagota. In Champion Trail 5 intersects with Trail 8 offering a journey west towards Michigamme and Three Lakes, or east to Ishpeming, Negaunee and Marquette. This area has ample fine dining, lodging and fuel stops in addition to pleasant scenery and friendly people waiting to welcome you.

South from Marquette, Trail 8 wanders to Gwinn where it turns east to Chatham before continuing on to Munsing, a popular snowmobiling destination located on Lake Superior. Excellent opportunities to capture photos of the majestic beauty of this region or of the bountiful wildlife, which inhabit this winter wonderland, are available. Be sure to stop and see the huge ice formations found at the Pictured Rocks National Shoreline and Trail 417 as it leads you west to Munising along the impressive shore of Lake Superior.

Marquette County is a snowmobiler’s delight as they offer lucky riders a warm welcome to come share the splendor of Michigan’s North Central Upper Peninsula. Delicious food choices ranging from a steaming bowl of chili to take the chill out, to a juicy steak dinner to fill the void after a long day of riding await riders. Warm, cozy lodging accommodations are available throughout the region.

Keweenaw Peninsula / Houghton-Hancock, South Range, Copper Harbor, Michigan

Reporter:Stretch

Trail Conditions: Closed

Snow Cover: 1″-6″ on the trail

Date of Report: April 7, 2024

Area Report:

Well it’s officially the end of one of the worst years for snow. Even with a total of 153 inches it was those warm days that ruined our fun. Now with 40°-50° temps for the next week I think our snow will finally go away. Let’s hope next season will bring more cold temps and lots of snow.

☠️ Stretch 

Snowmobiling Information

Snow, snow everywhere is a good description of what fortunate snowmobilers encounter when they ride the scenic well-groomed trails of the Keweenaw Peninsula of U.P. Michigan. Couple an extensive trail system, enabling the avid rider to experience the splendor of this area, with plenty of the white stuff, and you have a fantastic winter wonderland. More than 200 inches of snow blanket this region every season allowing sno-riders up to 5 months to enjoy their favorite sport!

The Bill Nichols Trail heads north through majestic forests and over the three Firesteel Bridges which are old railroad trestles rising more than 100 feet above the Firesteel River. This trail provides a tour past the towns of Twin Lakes, Toivola and South Range as it continues on toward the panoramic twin cities of Houghton and Hancock. Delicious, varied dining and comfortable lodging choices abound in this winter wonderland along with any other services snowmobilers may need.

Trail 15 travels east from the Houghton area through Chassel to the Keweenaw Bay. Here it turns south, winding along the bay to Baraga on the southern tip of Keweenaw Bay.

Traveling north from Houghton and Hancock on Trail 3 you encounter many historic signs of the mining of years past. Magnificent rides through Ripley, Dollar Bay and Hubbell grace the trail on your way to the historic towns of Laurium and Calumet. Continuing north on Trail 3 through Mohawk and Phoenix riders can experience the peaceful Eagles Loop, which leads along Lake Superior to the charming towns of Eagle River and Eagle Harbor.

Trail 3 heads east on the Brockway Mountain Trail, which yields a spectacular view of Lake Superior. On a clear day you can see Canada to the North and to the south the breathtaking carpeted forests that surround you. Just a short jaunt from this splendor, riders find themselves in quaint Copper Harbor, an excellent place to enjoy a delicious meal and spend the night in one of the comfortable lodging establishments.

Truly the Keweenaw Peninsula is an adventure every snowmobiler should experience. With over 200 miles of smooth groomed trails connecting to 2500 miles of trails, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula offers the avid rider unlimited riding opportunities. There are numerous warm, welcoming hotels, resorts and delicious dining choices to make your trip a remembrance of a lifetime.

Dickinson County, Michigan

Reporter:msertich7751

Trail Conditions: Closed

Snow Cover: 0

Date of Report: March 31, 2024

Area Report:

Our trails are closed for the season.See you next winter,pray for lots of snow!!!!!

Snowmobiling Information

Dickinson County
In Michigan’s Beautiful Upper Peninsula

“The Gateway to the U.P.” Iron Mountain is located on the border of Wisconsin, providing snowmobilers with access to the entire UP of Michigan and Northern Wisconsin. Less than 2 hours north of Green Bay, Iron Mountain can be your hub for all your snowmobile adventures.

With over 140 miles of trails, just in our county, the scenery here can be breathtaking. From vertical granite outcroppings glistening with frozen waterfalls, to scenic forests where wildlife abound, great trail-side restaurants and lodgings, to crossing the Menominee River via a trestle bridge. Make Iron Mountain your home base and travel across the U P and northern Wisconsin. MINIMIZE your automotive travel, MAXIMIZE your snowmobile travel!!!!

The Tri-County Snowmobile Club does a tremendous job of keeping the trails open, cleaned up and groomed. They keep the trails well marked and also have road identification signs at many of the intersections. By staying on the groomed and marked trails, you will always have a safe and scenic journey!!

Enjoy many of great local establishments on and off the trail. From homemade Italian meals, locally made pastries, mouth-watering steaks and huge burgers, all appetites can be satisfied. From great live entertainment most nights of the week, to local fishing derbies, snowmobile races and the Continental Ski Jumping Tournament (Best Tailgate Party in the World!!), there is always something for our visitors. COME AND ENJOY, IRON MOUNTAIN AND THE DICKINSON COUNTY AREA!

Iron County, Michigan

Reporter:Colleen

Trail Conditions: Closed

Snow Cover: 3 inches

Date of Report: February 15, 2024

Area Report:

 

We did receive 3 inches of snow over the evening hours yesterday.  However, 3 inches is not enough snow to ride on as yet.  We will continue to update this site if more snow is received and trails re-open. 

 

 

News and Reports:

 

This weekend is the Free Fishing Weekend in Michigan. 

Snowmobile Information:

 

Not enough snow on the trails currently for riding.

Snowmobiling Information

Iron County, where fun-filled snowmobiling is close at hand with a short trip to Iron County in south central Upper Michigan. This scenic region features more than 300 miles of well-groomed trails which enables the rider to experience the inherent beauty and wildlife that abounds in this area.

The Iron Range Trails cover Amasa, Crystal Falls, Iron River, and Sidnaw, providing hundreds of miles of excellent sledding. These trails also connect with the vast trail systems of the Upper Peninsula and Northern Wisconsin. And with plenty of abandoned railroad grades and many straight-open stretches of two miles or more, Iron County is the place for you!

Iron River serves as a main hub for many trails in the area, providing all the amenities snowmobilers could ask for. Trail 16, known as the “Chippewa Trail”, travels east on a well groomed scenic route to Crystal Falls. From here it continues on to the Sagola area on the Arsenia Hershey Trail. A jaunt on Trail 15 takes riders north deep into the magnificent Upper Michigan northwoods offering the luck rider many opportunities to view or capture on film wildlife and scenery. This trail gives sno-tourers the option of traveling to Sidnaw or connecting with Trail 4 toward Kenton or Trail 111 to Amasa.

Wide open trails and groomed scenic journeys through the woods are Iron County’s trademark. When planning a trip to Iron County Michigan to snowmobile, be sure to pack warm

 clothes as the temperature can drop below zero for several days.

Iron County, Michigan Snowmobiling Conditions and Iron County, Michigan Snowmobile News For the adventurous traveler, a forest map and compass will take you to deep powder, but bring a tow rope – you just might need it. If eating on the trail is your idea of fun, bring saddlebags to carry food and beverages. The ground scenery, with wide open expanses, lakes to play on (at your own risk), check with other riders for ice conditions, slush, beaver dams, ice fishing holes, and inlet waterways before snowmobiling on area waters.

Venturing on to lakes carries an “at your own risk” policy and help is often a long distance away. Carrying a survival kit including a tow rope, extra clothing, matches, a flashlight, a map and compass, and first-aid equipment is highly recommended.Well-marked and groomed snowmobile trails make the U.P.’s Iron County Michigan a snowmobiler’s paradise.

 

The options and destinations are unlimited for snowmobilers in Iron County, Michigan. Whether you’re looking for a memorable dining experience or pleasant lodging accommodations after a long day on the trails, it can all be found here.

Iron County snowmobile trail maps are available at the Iron County Chamber of Commerce office,
at most area gas stations, and many local businesses. Trail permits can be purchased at the Chicaugon Lake Inn.

Cheboygan, Michigan

Snowmobiling Information

Cheboygan, Michigan offers access to over 500 miles of groomed snowmobile trails for hours of winter adventure. Cross-country skiing trails are also available with a series of beginner, intermediate, and advanced trails at Black Mountain. Sports enthusiasts will love Cheboygan’s indoor ice rink for family skating or an exciting hockey game.

The West Mullett Lake Trail, is an 11-mile stretch between Cheboygan and Indian River, this trail now connects the entire Gaylord to Mackinaw City corridor. This trail follows the shoreline of Mullett Lake, offering beautiful views of the lake, and allows access from Indian River to Mackinaw City through Tobinabee and Cheboygan, Michigan. The City of Cheboygan has also opened new trails to allow access to Downtown Cheboygan shopping, dining, and attractions! There are now three new arteries into Cheboygan off of the trail which had been the Michigan Central Railroad.

A short jaunt from Downtown Cheboygan is the Black Mountain Recreation Area. Snowmobiling has been very popular in the Black Mountain Area for many years. You can access a large snowmobile trail system or you can go through the area after getting on the system near Cheboygan or Millersburg Michigan. There are more than 80 miles of groomed trails awaiting you in this area alone! Not only does the Black Mountain Area offer wonderful snowmobile trails, but there are also over 30 miles of cross-country skiing trails. Skiers and snowmobilers alike will find themselves sailing under majestic pines, taking in views of Black Lake, and under the right conditions, even
getting a glimpse of Lake Huron. Four separate parking lots are available in the Recreation Area.

Cadillac, Michigan

Snowmobiling Information

Situated in the heart of the Northern Michigan Snow Belt, Cadillac offers natural resources and man-made facilities that meet the highest expectations for winter fun. Home to the North American Snowmobile Festival, Cadillac sits at the hub of an outstanding trail system that offers easy cross-state connections. The opening of the White Pine Trail in 1995 offered snowmobiling trails from Cadillac to Reed City to Baldwin to Clare.

If you enjoy snowmobile racing, you won’t want to miss the North American Snowmobile Festival Sno-Cross Races in Cadillac. The winter equivalent to motorcycle racing, competitors will run a manmade course of jumps, moguls, twists and turns. Race classes will be available for anyone over 10 years old. To enter the racing events, call the American Snowmobile Racing Association at (905) 476-7182.

The races signal the start of Cadillac’s North American Snowmobile Festival. The event features a poker run, fireworks and a chili cookoff. Activities for kids and grown ups alike range from snow sculptures to winter softball, snowmobile safety classes, trail lunches and a cross-country ski tour. For information on the Snow-Cross Race the Snowmobile Festival or any of West Michigan’s other outstanding snowmobile events, call WMTA at (800) 442-2084.

Michigan is a snowmobiler’s paradise, boasting more than six million acres of state and federal lands along with hundreds of miles of privately owned trails.

If wintry trails beckon you, West Michigan has it all. In fact, a growing number of hotels, motels and resorts offer door-to-trail proximity.

Order Detailed Trail Map

No agency has been more active in transforming Michigan into a haven for snowmobile enthusiasts than the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). They are the creators and guardians of West Michigan’s major trail network through the state park system. But to use MDNR trails, you must have a permit. The cost is $10. Permits may be obtained by calling WMTA at (800) 442-2084.

Snowmobiling is becoming more and more a family sport. Safety is paramount. Most accidents occur when drivers override their headlights at high speeds on remote trails. Alcohol is frequently a factor. When you snowmobile in West Michigan, observe state laws. Protect the environment and your own safety by sticking to established trails. Use common sense and courtesy. And enjoy.