There were wasn't enough snow to take the groomers out after yesterday's storm but we couldn't resist not sneaking out for a ski in April, this morning. Dry and cold on top, sticky on bottom, marginal conditions at best. But any day skiing through the forest is a great day.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

The snow we received last night and this morning wasn't measured in inches but instead millimeters. Despite the lack of significant new snow we were out grooming on the 2.5km loop we have been grooming and skiing on. Groomed last night than again this morning. A ski over lunch found best conditions since the melt and freeze last week. We will have this loop open for diehard skiers. There are some hard icy spots underneath and a couple small bare spots to use extreme caution on but enough good sections making for a nice ski. Start out on the soccer field and follow the fresh groomed. Best to ski counter clockwise.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

We were out grooming on the 2.5km loop we groomed on Wednesday to try and improve conditions and provide skiing opportunity. The better sections got a little bit better and the solid ice sections remained icy. Skiing later in the day on the groomed found better skiing on the good sections and sketchy on the other segments. Despite these efforts to improve conditions, we have to close the trails due to overall unsafe conditions. A few folks are sneaking out to ski on the better sections, doing so at their own risk. We are hopeful for a an inch or two on Sunday to groom and open more trail.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

We went out this morning to groom a 2.5km loop that had good coverage and not many hills (didn't want to get stuck with groomer on ice but got stuck anyways) and worked in the little dusting. Three passed worked up the snow on the better sections but a ski later still was pretty treacherous. There are some glare ice sections that pull my groin just looking at it. We are closing the trails for skiing until Friday than will try and groom any new snow and open a small loop, more if additional snow.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Warm temps and wind were not kind to the trails overnight. However, there was enough good coverage for a morning ski. Went out with Craig Stolen before breakfast and had a great ski on Skaters Waltz and North Loup. I always enjoy skiing with Craig because regardless of the conditions, he is always smiling...just ski. We closed the trails this afternoon and hope to open again either tomorrow afternoon or Wednesday morning, depending on any new snow after it cools down.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

A nice weekend of springlike skiing. Today a bit warmer hitting the 50 degree mark but a late afternoon classic ski with Jonell and Jack found really nice skiing on the east side of Sukkerbusk and the entire North Loup (minus one section that was bare). Our snow base is old granulated snow that is compacted hard and skied nice even in the warm temps versus newer snow that is softer. We have closed most of the trails except the above mentioned. Another warm day on tap tomorrow, but we will have these select trails open than hope new snow follows the cold temps on Monday night and ready to groom any new snow. Fat bike trail closed until Tuesday morning.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Went out just before noon today. Good spring skiing, with good coverage holding well in the woods on sukkerbusk and jib fly and skaters waltz. Some thinning in exposed, open areas; stay in the woods and the coverage is fine. Some of the classic tracks are hard and fast and require caution on downhills. I tried Black Magic for kick today, and it worked better in the soft snow, but not so good on the sections of track that were hard... waxless would be a better choice. Always good to be out at Maplelag.

(Glenn Gifford)

The dusting of new snow the past 24 hours was groomed into the frozen granular snow on the skate deck of Skaters Waltz and North Loup. Morning skiers on the fresh groomed reported very good to excellent skiing. No resetting of tracks as the most recently cut tracks have good definition and are bomb proof. The new snow improved the classic skiing for sure. The fat bike trail is open and in good shape. A few bumpy/icy spots in the middle otherwise fantastic late season riding. With warmer temps on the weekend, the mostly corn snow base should provide nice skiing from 9am-2pm. Check board at entry for best trails to ski. Please fat bike before 11am on the weekend. Thank you.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Around 1" of dry fluffy new snow from last night was groomed into the skate deck on Skaters Waltz and North Loup this morning. The new snow mixed in nicely with the frozen granulated snow and made for fantastic skating. We left the tracks alone and the new snow improved the conditions greatly. All the trails are open and people have been skiing on all the trails but we recommend skiing on Poki Loki, Sukkerbusk, and North Loup for classic. Skating best on Skaters Waltz, North Loup and Suicide Hill (use caution on Kamikaze hill segment) We plan on being open two more weeks for ski operations along with two great events the next two weekends, the Great Lakes Indigenous Farming Conference and the MooseJaw Old Time Dance, Music and Clogging.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

I classic skied the North Loup with my "A" skis a few times and the trail was in excellent condition. Very few spots where track was not set. There is still plenty of great skiing to be done at Maplelag!

Photos:

(Tom Dooher)