Your Online Trail and Travel Guide for Snowmobiling the U.S. & Canada

You Are Here: Home » Articles

Reports

Trail Report: Antigo/Langlade County, Wisconsin – January 26, 2017

Trail Conditions: Fair

Snow Cover: 3-6

Date of Report: January 26, 2017

Area Report:

The Langlade County snowmobile trail system (Zones A and B)  will re-open at 8 am Friday, January 27, 2017.  The trail west of intersection 53A west to County Highway H (Five Cent Firelane) will remain closed due to heavy truck traffic.

Trail conditions in the wooded areas will be fair to good, with the exception of some low lying areas which may rough and have standing water.  Trails across open fields may be lacking snow cover and also have standing water.  Use caution in these areas as they may become icy as the temperatures continue to drop. Please stay on marked trails.

**UPDATE– Trail 18W between intersections 30 and 41 will be closed due to standing water.

ATV’s will be allowed on the trails beginning February 1, 2017, and when the temperature is less than 28 degrees F.  UTV’s are not allowed on the snowmobile trail system.

Trail Report: Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan – January 26, 2017

Trail Conditions: Fair

Snow Cover: 3 inch base

Date of Report: January 26, 2017

Area Report:

We were out today with groomers on our dry trails and they are in good shape now ( Raco & Kinross).  Still wet Soo to Kinross and Kinross to Raco so it will wait a day

We have not groomed for a week as it was too warm. According to weatherman it’s not supposed to get back below freezing maybe Thursday. We will not be able to groom again until they do. All trails are still Rideable but this spell of warm weather is wreaking havoc since it’s too warm to groom.  Let’s all hope it gets cold earlier!  Road shoulders are bare and this may open up again some of those wet areas that we just got frozen down.  It will be just like start of season with most wet areas open!!!

Big reroute around Raco this year

There is a change in the Soo to Kinross trail also.

We have a new plowed parking area at the beginning of trail #8 under the International Bridge, which now has an all season porta John.

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!!!!!!

We now have a marked trail that will be groomed on occasion to get to parts and service at Chippewa Motors.  It comes into the back of their lot from the east side of M-129 when you come out of the woods.

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 than an inch on the trail.

Sault Ste. Marie to Brimley, Trail #8 –

Base 3- 4 inches -Trail is in good Condition.

Brimley to Raco, Trail #8 –

Base 3 – 6 inches -Trail is in fair to good Condition.  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.

Raco to Naomikong Trail #8 [where Paradise meets us], Trail #8 –

Base 3 – 7 inches – Trail is in fair to good Condition.

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

Base 2- 3 inches – Trail is in Fair condition.

We now have a marked & groomed 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 20mph, stop at all intersections, and ride on the right hand side of street not on sidewalks. Watch for closed streets that are posted, mainly around the hospital, university, and state trunk lines.

 

Sault Ste. Marie to Kinross, Trail #49 –

Base 2- 4 inches – Trail is in poor to fair Condition. Make sure you follow reroute once you cross bridge going south at 7 Mile road.

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

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

Base 2- 5 inches – Trail is in Good condition.  Watch for trucks driving on trails it seems to be the thing this year.

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

Base 2 – 4 inches – Trail in poor to fair Condition.  Watch for reroute signs just west of Kinross

Snowmobile Information:

Courtesy of the Sault Ste Marie Snowmobile Association – Groomer Report 

  • We now have a marked trail that will be groomed on occasion to get to parts and service at Chippewa Motors.  It comes into the back of their lot from the east side of M-129 when you come out of the woods.
  • 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.  6 inches of snow compresses to less than an inch on the trail.
  • We have a new plowed parking area at the beginning of trail #8 under the International Bridge, which now has an all season porta John.

 

Online Safety Course 

Local Safety Course 

 

Courtesy of the Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association

The Sledder’s Pledge

  • I will obey the rules and laws of the state or province I am visiting.
  • I will be careful when crossing roads, and always cross at a right angle to traffic.
  • I will keep my machine in top shape and follow a pre-op check before each ride.
  • I will wear appropriate clothing, including gloves, boots and a helmet with a visor.
  • I will let family or friends know my planned route, my destination and my expected arrival time.
  • I will treat the outdoors with respect. I will not litter or damage trees or other vegetation.
  • I will respect other peoples’ property and rights, and lend a hand when I see someone in need.
  • I will not snowmobile where prohibited.

News and Reports:

Downtown Winter Ice festival is this Friday and Saturday! More information here https://goo.gl/3vnCbE

I-500 Snowmobile Race Week kicks off Monday January 30th Race is Saturday February 4th check out the race here http://i-500.com/

Trail Report: Conover, Wisconsin – January 26, 2017

Trail Conditions: Poor

Snow Cover: 8″-9″ in the woods

Date of Report: January 26, 2017

Area Report:

The groomers went out last night after a 5 day break. Temps finally fell below freezing early yesterday but unfortunately, the snow fall basically all went south. We have had about 1/4″ of mixed precipitation that has at least turned the brown snow banks white. Really all the groomers could do was smoothen out the slushy base as it refroze. There is no snow cover on the trails and it will take 4″ or more to fix the damage. Expect poor (bare) road crossings and road routes will be about the same. Trails may be fair in the woods but corners will be icy. Watch for cooling issues with the hard pack. 

Twin Haven via the new trail; Trail is nice except for the last 3/4 mile where it turns off the grade. This section has now been groomed & is much better but still has new trail bumps. For those running along the power lines N from North Twin boat ramp, you now have a stop sign at the grade, E/W traffic has the right of way.

The lakes are marked and had lots of snow. Watch for the possibility of slush and/or standing water in low spots along the trails and anywhere on the lakes.

News and Reports:

It crossed my mind that for those of you that have never snowmobiled in Vilas or surrounding, it is unlike areas further south. We really have nearly zero farm field crossings. Most riding is in the woods, some trails are on old rail grades & there are lots of lake crossings. But, be prepared to travel a distance to the next stop, especially along the northern portions of the county. Please stay on the trails; Trespassing is the fastest way to loose trails.

Don’t forget you need a WI trail permit to ride the state’s groomed trail system. Aggressive riding causes more trail damage than slower, less aggressive riding. Ride right & be safe.

Snowmobile Information:

SnoBuddies’ Soup & Chili cook-off at Twin Haven this Saturday at 3 PM.

Conover Blizzard Blast is February 18th at the Conover Town Park on Hwy K east.

 

Trail Report: Hayward / Sawyer County, Wisconsin – January 26, 2017

Trail Conditions: Poor

Snow Cover: 2 to 5 inches

Date of Report: January 26, 2017

Area Report:

Hello Snowmobilers!

We did not get a snow storm but the temps have dropped back to the more normal temps and things are more firm again! The Sawyer Co trails are OPEN as are the trails in the Chequamegon National Forest. The wooded trails in the Seeley Hills, around the Chippewa Flowage and near Lac Courte Oreilles are reported to be in FAIR to POOR condition. The trails in the open have many scattered bare spots. The trails in the Flambeau River Forest are poor to fair. There are icy corners and the lakes are quite icy as well. All lakes are staked with approximately a foot to more with the exception of Lake Hayward has open water under the bridge and is closed.

Some areas of the county are being groomed a little, others will resume upon 2-4″ inches more of snow. Due to the lack of grooming volunteers are out panning and brushing on the needed trails.
Temps are going to continue to be in the mid 20’s and there are calls of chance of flurries for the next several days.

Trail 36 from Flambeau to Price Co line  is rerouted back to the old trail along Hwy W.

Trail Closures:

Trail 63 north of Seeley from Bodecker Rd to Bayfield Co line is CLOSED

Trail 5/27 from Tuscobia south to Rusk Co line is CLOSED.

Trail 6 from Tuscobia by Ojibwa north to the Chippewa Flowage, also CLOSED.

Counties to each side and the north such as Bayfield, Ashland, Washburn and Price are open. Counties to the south such as Rusk and Barron are closed.

As always… thank you to the club members and volunteers for their hard work and to you for visiting and enjoying Sawyer County!

Trail Report: Price County – Park Falls, Phillips & Prentice, Wisconsin – January 26, 2017

Trail Conditions: Fair

Snow Cover: 8-10 inches

Date of Report: January 26, 2017

Area Report:

Click Here to order a Price County Snowmobile Map.

To view DETAILED TRAIL CONDITION REPORTS, visit the Price County Tourism website at www.pricecountywi.net and click on the Reports link. All snowmobile trails are open and in fair condition. The trails are mostly snow covered but are rough, icy or may have water in low areas. Some bare spots are beginning to appear, and road routes and road crossings are becoming thin or bare. We had a dusting of snow overnight. Light snow is predicted throughout the day Thursday followed by temps below freezing through next week. Grooming is on hold until wet areas refreeze. The lakes are slushy and may have standing water. The trails remain open through March 31, 2017.  Approximately 100 miles of our motorized trails welcome winter ATV and UTV riders. To order travel guides or your snowmobile trail map, visit our website at www.pricecountywi.net.

News and Reports:

Visit our online Calendar of Events for details – http://www.pricecountywi.net/calendar.aspx?CID=23
January 19 – 29, 2017 – Winter Fest Tavern League Tour, participating Tavern League Businesses
January 26 – 28, 2017 – Poker Run & Raffle, Fifield Sno-Drovers Snowmobile Club
January 28 & 29, 2017 – Winter Fest, Phillips Area Chamber of Commerce
January 28 & 29, 2017 – Cor Powersports Cross Country Snowmobile Races, Phillips Area Chamber of Commerce
January 28, 2017 – Club Breakfast, Fifield Sno-Drovers Snowmobile Club
January 29, 2017 – Club Breakfast, Phillips Chaparrals Snowmobile Club
February 5, 2017 – Club Breakfast, Elk River Pioneers Snowmobile Club
February 11, 2017 – Dance & Raffle, Northwoods Hi-Riders Snowmobile Club
February 17 & 18, 2017 – Poker Run & Raffle, Elk River Pioneers Snowmobile Club
February 18, 2017 – Winter Picnic, Elk River Pioneers Snowmobile Club
March 5, 2017 – Club Breakfast, Catawba Driftsplitters Snowmobile Club

Trail Report: Keweenaw Peninsula / Houghton-Hancock, South Range, Copper Harbor, Michigan – January 26, 2017

Trail Conditions: Fair

Snow Cover: 12″-36″

Date of Report: January 26, 2017

Area Report:

Looks like the warm weather has left the area and cooler temps and lake effect snow is in the forecast.  The trails held up reasonably well, considering the warm temps and small bouts of rain.  The groomers have been out grooming every day.  All trails are open and being groomed from Copper Harbor to Twin Lakes.  I do know that you can go as far as Greenland, but you will have to check with that area for any info past there.  Trail #122 from Lake Linden to Gay is closed due to logging–please stay off of it!!  You can go from Lake Linden to the Dreamland Trail, but no farther.  Also, Trail #133 between Gay and Lac Labelle is rough with wet areas.  There is water on Trail #3 outside of Dollar Bay and on Trail #3 on the Houghton side by the Canal Road.  Please use caution as there may be other wet spots on the trails.  There is a washout on Trail #120, South Freda Trail, that has been filled in, but please use caution while on this trail.  Snow is forecasted for every day for the next few days, hopefully the lake effect will kick up a few good inches!  There are tons of sledders in town already, and the rest of the weekend looks to be super busy. 

Respect private property and others out on the trails, stay on the marked, groomed trails, stay off the water–its not safe, watch your speed–its not a race, and save the drinking for after the riding!!

Happy Trails!

Trail Report: Price County – Park Falls, Phillips & Prentice, Wisconsin – January 26, 2017

Trail Conditions: Fair

Snow Cover: 8-10 inches

Date of Report: January 26, 2017

Area Report:

Click Here to order a Price County Snowmobile Map.

To view DETAILED TRAIL CONDITION REPORTS, visit the Price County Tourism website at www.pricecountywi.net and click on the Reports link. All snowmobile trails are open and in fair condition. The trails are mostly snow covered but are rough, icy or may have water in low areas. Some bare spots are beginning to appear, and road routes and road crossings are becoming thin or bare. We had a dusting of snow overnight. Light snow is predicted throughout the day Thursday followed by temps below freezing through next week. Grooming is on hold until wet areas refreeze. The lakes are slushy and may have standing water. The trails remain open through March 31, 2017.  Approximately 100 miles of our motorized trails welcome winter ATV and UTV riders. To order travel guides or your snowmobile trail map, visit our website at www.pricecountywi.net.

News and Reports:

Visit our online Calendar of Events for details – http://www.pricecountywi.net/calendar.aspx?CID=23
January 26-28, 2017 – Poker Run & Raffle, Fifield Sno-Drovers Snowmobile Club
January 28 & 29, 2017 – Winter Fest, Phillips Area Chamber of Commerce
January 28 & 29, 2017 – Cor Powersports Cross Country Snowmobile Races, Phillips Area Chamber of Commerce
January 28, 2017 – Club Breakfast, Fifield Sno-Drovers Snowmobile Club
January 29, 2017 – Chaparrals Breakfast, Phillips Chaparrals Snowmobile Club
February 5, 2017 – Breakfast Buffet, Elk River Pioneers Snowmobile Club
February 11, 2017 – Dance & Raffle, Northwoods Hi-Riders Snowmobile Club
February 17 & 18, 2017 – Poker Run & Winter Picnic, Elk River Pioneers Snowmobile Club
March 5, 2017 – Club Breakfast, Catawba Driftsplitters Snowmobile Club

Trail Report: Florence County, Wisconsin – January 26, 2017

Trail Conditions: Fair

Snow Cover: 12-18″

Date of Report: January 26, 2017

Area Report:

The warm weather this Past week has made it mostly impossible to keep these trails in the great condition that they are usually in. We will be out grooming within the next day or so as the weather cools down. It will take a lot of work to get these trails back in shape but we are working at it.
We received very little of the snow that the southern part of the state received yesterday. Hoping for more in the next few days. we had a good base however, so there are not too many bare spots. Ice may be a factor so please be careful out there.

Trail Report: Washburn County, Wisconsin – January 26, 2017

Trail Conditions: Closed

Snow Cover: 2-4″

Date of Report: January 26, 2017

Area Report:

Due to recent warm temperatures and rain, Washburn County snowmobile trails are now closed.  Significant new snow will be needed for the trail system to reopen this winter. Think snow!