Unexpected 2-3" of wet new snow last night. Fell on top of wet corn snow base. 30km groomed this morning. We groomed the 10km fat bike loop first this morning than set track on 10km of trail, than groomed 10km of skate trail. We groomed in anticipation of cooler weather tonight and cold nights on the weekend (and no new snow). Plenty of snow on the trails, spring skiing conditions. Best skiing looks to be from 8am-12noon Friday-Sunday. Fat bike trail will be open for riding before 11am provided it freezes at night. Lots of tracks on the trails this morning!

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Incredible morning of spring conditions. Last night I groomed the 10km of skate trails as the snow was still damp from the warm and sunny afternoon. Since the recent top snow hadn't seasoned because of the unusually cool temps and cloudy weather, it compressed as expected and set up like concrete overnight with temps in the lower 20's. This approach allows the deck to stay firmer longer in the morning versus grooming in the morning when warmer temps are forecasted, such as the case today. After an phenomenal early morning fat bike ride, Ben Olson and I hooked up with Denny Barry who had been crust cruising the area lakes, ponds, sloughs and open areas. We were just hitting the coveted sweet spot at 10:30 and enjoyed a phenomenal skate ski on North Loup and Skaters Waltz until noon. On the downhills on North Loup I jumped in the tracks and they were solid, fast and well defined. A check of the double tracked trails when we intersected found the tracks in good shape. Very warm afternoon today and uncertainty in the forecast has grooming plans on hold but with the base of snow we have, there will be plenty of fun skiing to be had the next few days with proper timing. We will continue grooming when it makes sense until the snow is completely gone. Even after 30 years of grooming, I treasure the spring grooming in various snow types as there is still tricks to learn! Enjoy!

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Dusting of new snow overnight. Cool and mostly cloudy conditions helping keep the recent grooming intact. Got out for a late afternoon classic ski with Peder on all the trails currently tracked. Incredible skiing for April 9th, just a few soft spots with the sun coming out and softening the south facing. Freezing down again tonight and should be fantastic skiing in the morning. With slightly warmer temps the middle of this week, timing will be key. We will be grooming the skate lanes on North Loup and Skaters Waltz as needed and resetting the classic track on North Loup and east side of Sukkerbusk at least once this week.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Fantastic mid-season conditions, it feels like in January. My best skating of the season on Skaters' Waltz, and I am not even good at that technique. Then classic in the afternoon on Sap Run twice, Jib Fly, Sukkerbusk, and North Loop twice. A highly enjoyable day, as the the fellow skiers agreed. Thanks for the superb grooming! Enjoy this late-season gift!

(Istvan Gombocz)

Awesome April skiing. Sunshine, mid 20's. 27km groomed. Just a few spots softening from intense spring sun than glazing late afternoon. Grooming late afternoon on Skaters Waltz and new track set on Mother North Star for now a total of 17km groomed for classic. 10km groomed skate. Also groomed the fat bike trail on Twin Lakes singletrack.Excellent condition. Jonell and I skied early evening and was as good as it gets. Should be fantastic again on Sunday.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Excellent conditions. 22km groomed today. Unexpected blizzard last night dropped another 2-3". Made for slower skiing in the morning but sub zero windchill skiing in dry fresh powder on April 6th? Unreal. Fun skiing nonetheless. At lunch 10km of skate trail groomed than track set on 12km of trail. Everything should set up nicely and be fantastic skiing rest of the day and Saturday. We will plan on grooming the fat bike trail Saturday afternoon or early evening. Enjoy!

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Great day on the trails! Fantastic conditions for skiing and fat biking. Temps in the 20's and snow most of the afternoon accumulating to a couple of inches. The skate trails and twin lakes singletrack for fat biking groomed late afternoon. Jonell and I skied after grooming and snow moved back in with another inch or so of fluff. Another cold night on tap with temps near 0 should set everything up nicely for Friday. We will ski the classic tracks in tomorrow than reset select tracks late morning. Skate lanes should be good for Friday and Saturday than regrooming planned for Sunday morning. With temps continued to below freezing through the weekend, should be some great skiing and fat biking. Enjoy!

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Excellent conditions! Track set this morning on Sukkerbusk, North Loup and also double tracked JibFly. Snow was dry and cold, temp in the mid teens. Early evening grooming on Sap Run with track reset. Skied late afternoon as temp continued to drop. North Loup skied amazing for not just April 3rd, but any time of the year. Just enough granulated snow mixed with the new snow to make for fast conditions but excellent kick. Temp was 12 degrees at end of ski. Reports from the skaters were good. Deck was firmer than yesterday and skied very well. With temps forecasted to be near 0 tonight, everything should set up even more. Sun could come out tomorrow, best skiing will be before 1pm. Touch up grooming as needed tomorrow evening and Thursday morning. Also groomed the fat bike trail this afternoon and should be nice riding in the mornings on through the weekend.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Again I was lucky to be first on at 2:30 after the morning groom. The twice groomed snow had settled nicely on the firm deck, making skating pretty fast. North loup and Skaters Waltz are in mid winter prime! I made an attempt to crust ski on Bullhead lake, found the new snow just a little too deep to get speed. It's always a late season treat to explore the many ponds and lakes while gliding fairly effortlessly on the crust! The classic tracks looked in great shape, also having been groomed this morning. Those of us not wanting to let go of winter after having it come a little later, will skiing have this week maybe even later.

Photos:

(Denny Barry)

This morning groomed the skate trails Skaters Waltz, Single Green and Suicide Hill, making two passes mixing old corn snow and combing new snow from the weekend. Set track on Sap Run. Skated few hours later, deck was silky smooth but a bit soft. Hard to believe early April with cold dry snow. Later afternoon we went out for a classic ski with the family after a couple inches of new snow had fallen, skiing Sap Run and Sukkerbusk that had been skied in from other skiers. We were testing some new Salomon ski skis and they were working great. This evening I will be back out combing Skaters Waltz and North Loup. Tomorrow morning will set track on Sukkerbusk and North Loup and combing the skate lanes again if the snow that is falling now continues. With cooler temps this week, we should have some really nice skiing in the mornings. We will groom daily on the above trails until Friday morning.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)