The recent storm stayed south of us but enough snow accumulating from afternoon and overnight snow squalls allowed for one more grooming this morning on a 4km loop. Skied later morning and found best skiing on segments that had an existing base. Was great to be out skiing and sneaking in one more ski even if conditions are "poor". The lakes and ponds are still ice covered and we actually have added ice the past few nights with lows in the single digits.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

We had a nice weekend of skiing in the mornings on the snow/sleet that fell Thursday night on top of the existing corn base. Best skiing was on the groomed loop from Friday's groom. Level deck and really nice texture from 9-12 in the mornings. The trails are now closed for the season. Thanks to everyone that came to Maplelag making it a great season. Thinking and praying for everyone in the Nordic community for good health and well being.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

1" of sleet mixed with rain that froze down hard than a dusting of fluff snow on top from last night's storm. We roll packed 4km of trail late morning, same segments as Wednesday. Skied on the fresh groomed and majority of it was really nice. Went across the road and did North Loup. Bit more bumpy and uneven but skiable. The areas that were bare yesterday skiable today with the frozen sleet surface. To give an idea how solid the frozen sleet was, I was able to ski on the country gravel road with no issue. The groomed loop will be fine skiing rest of the day and until 11am tomorrow than not recommended to ski after that.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Groomed 5 km trail for skate yesterday afternoon linking the segments on the northeast part of the inner trail system that had the best coverage. (This is the second consecutive year we have groomed 7 consecutive calendar months in a row) Rained about a half inch of overnight, wiping out some snow and base but a ski early afternoon as the temp was dropping to the mid 30's to upper 20's and found some nice skiable sections on fast wet corn snow and soft ice base. We will plan on skate grooming in morning on a 4km loop if more than 2" of new snow as temps look to be well below freezing.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

A great weekend of textbook spring skiing on 100% perfectly seasoned corn snow based. We didn't have any precipitation. Freezing nights and sunshiny days. We are extending the season until tomorrow at 6pm, closing for a few days and possibly reopening later in the week if the forecasted snow event materializes midweek. This evening we groomed on Rooting Tootin renovating, leveling and setting new double track and grooming Skaters Waltz setting new structure. Recommended trails for Monday skiing include the above mentioned and also North Loup for both skate and classic.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Very nice morning of spring skiing on both trail and crust cruising on ponds etc. Morning low at 13 degrees freezing the corn snow base down hard. Texture on skate lanes on Skaters Waltz and North Loup holding out well after Tuesday nights grooming. Tracks still holding definition from most recent grooming as well. After mostly colder weather this week the week, warmer weather looks to move in for rest of week and weekend, best skiing will be in the morning hours. Trails will remain open for local skiers until Sunday at 6pm. Lodge is closed, no services, no restrooms available. Trail fee waived. Park 10 feet apart and ski.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Trails remain open at this time. At this time we plan to be open until March 29th at 6pm but subject to change and close without notice based on the COVID-19 situation. Please park at least 10 feet away from other cars. The lodge is closed and no services are available. We have been seeing 10-15 skiers a day, all local skiers that live within 1 hour and want to remain open for these folks looking to restore mental health, etc. We are waiving the trail fee. We are not encouraging skiers to come from far distances to ski. Thanks for everyone's understanding on this.
The skiing has slowed down with warm temps and Sunday's fresh snow but should transform nicely today with the warm weather. There is still good coverage on all the trails with a corn snow base that is better to ski on when temps warm. A ski on Bullhead lake trail early this morning found nice skiing on Sunday's fresh snow that was still dry. A check of the skate trails found nice conditions than slowed down when it warmed up. Recommended classic trails to ski include Sap Run, Sukkerbusk, Mother North Star, JibFly, North Loup and Twin Lakes. Skating on Skaters Waltz and North Loup. Next grooming run will be skate only (either Tuesday or Wednesday) Fat biking is limited to the mornings provided it has frozen down the night before.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

2-3” fresh fluffy snow overnight. Grooming skate trails this morning and resetting tracks on select classic trails. A great day of skiing Saturday on fast spring conditions. Had more fat bikers out enjoying the best conditions of the season. Crust riding was phenomenal. Skiing will slow down this afternoon when temps warm the snow but should be fantastic until that point.

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Light dusting of new snow with some drizzle the past 24 hours. 22 degrees at 5:30. Good to excellent spring conditions. Late morning as temp was starting to drop, we went out grooming setting new track on Sap Run, Sukkebusk, JibFly, Rootin Tootin, Twin Lakes and North Loup. Skaters Waltz, Single Green and Suicide Hill skate lanes renovated and combed. We went out for a ski on Sap Run and Mother North Star late afternoon and found fantastic conditions. The thin layer of new snow on well defined tracks that had transformed and starting to glaze made for really nice glide and control. Sap Run was a bit faster after the grooming. The base was still soft (which allowed a check of the base estimated at 12-14" on average) but temps near or below zero will freeze everything down again hard tonight. The recently groomed skate lane was starting to set up. North Loup skate lane should have a velcro like surface on smooth flat deck. Crust skiing on Skaters extension for a third condition option. Fat bike trails will freeze down tonight and be very good riding all day Friday and Saturday. Sunday best to get out before 1pm. The trails remain open until Sunday 7pm. Lodge is locked and closed. No trail fee. Park and ski. No restroom facilities. No services. Trails will be closing at 7pm on Sunday. Please practice all the measures that have been discussed to keep everyone safe and healthy. Thank you and enjoy.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

1-2" new snow past 24 hours. This afternoon as temp was dropping, we groomed the skate lanes on Skaters Waltz and North Loup, mixing the transformed snow with the freshly fallen snow. The sun was out off and on softening the south facing areas but temp and sun dropped tightening up the deck up at dusk. We squeegee groomed the tracks on Sap Run with good results and decided to leave the rest of the tracked trails until Wednesday. At dusk we skied hitting up the fresh skate lanes, the groomed tracks, the untouched tracks with fresh snow and enjoyed the fresh powder on Suicide Hill. Awesome skiing for mid March. Temps look to be in single digits tonight making for really nice skiing tomorrow. Trails are open. Lodge is closed (locked/no services) -- Park and ski. Trail pass is waived. We want to offer a outside alternative that keeps in line with safe social distancing.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)