Around 2" new snow past 24 hours. Morning low -12F degrees rising to single digits, light wind and sunshine. Yesterday morning after one inch of snow had fallen, we roll packed 5km of trail. The grooves from the roller caught the blowing snow and additional snowfall after grooming. Early afternoon we roll combed and Ginzu groomed combed the same 5km. This morning we ran the Ginzu on most of the 5km and roll packed an additional 500 meters. A few hours later I skate skied on the groomed loop. Conditions were marginal but skis were gliding, the sunshine, invigorating temps and fresh grooming made for a pleasant ski and a great outing in the woods. With extreme caution, we are going to have this loop open for any diehard skiers. The temps are cold enough keeping the sun from doing it's thing today but recommend skiing before 11am tomorrow if not able to get out this afternoon. We lost the majority of our base before the snow, but still hanging on to deep frost on the trails, making it feel like skiing on the ground but with glide. Note: The past few weeks we have been cutting firewood from deadfall/blow downs from recent storms for the wood fired stoves at Maplelag. We are also delicately creating more snow fields for snow farming to enhance south facing areas for future winters. This winter has been unlike anything else but we are grateful for the many things learned as we keep to our commitment to provide natural organic snow skiing and no snowmaking protecting our groundwater and precious aquifers.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Jonell and I got out for one more ski early afternoon before closing the trails at dusk. Although the temperature was near 40, the humidity was in the mid 30's keeping the snow relatively dry and skiing nice considering the ultra thin base. We will have the early/late season grooming equipment ready to go if we should happen to have a late season snow event. Until then, thanks everyone who came to Maplelag this past season!

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

We continue to maintain around 5km of trail. Most recent grooming was yesterday afternoon after we shoveled another load or two on thin areas. A very light dusting of new snow combined with the shoveled snow was just enough to work with and set new structure. Not able to set track. Low down to -2 last night set the corduroy up stiff. Went out for a skate ski over lunch today for a few laps. One of the better skate skis the past week or so. Yes, the base is very thin and hard with a few dark spots but cold temps keeping it very skiable and wind-chill was invigorating and sunshine was glorious. The 25km fat bike trails continues to roll nicely, a few icy spots to watch out for on the corners and lower part of the berms.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Skied the Lotvola Cup course this morning to check out yesterday's grooming. Confirmed there isn't enough snow to have the outer loops, Twin Lakes and North Loup, open. Inner segments skied best. We did another grooming this morning on the Sukkerbusk Return on the east side and opened this segment to the existing 4km loop to have closer to 5km of skiing options now. The segment we opened up (attached photo) probably has the best coverage of the 5km. No tracks set but open for no track classic skiing and skating, both directions .

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

We skated a modified Skaters Waltz loop that was marked with cones. Conditions were good considering the extremely dry winter. The Maplelag crew always does an amazing job at making the best of the natural snow. A lot of snow farming and meticulous grooming is keeping the little snow they have skiable.

Photos:

(Ben Olson)

Today we rolled (no compactor bar) the new Lotvola Cup race course. The course includes Sukkerbusk, Twin Lakes, North Loup and Sap Run trails. This was simply a patrol groom and anticipation for possible snow later this week. It is not open for skiing. We are keeping optimistic for late season snow to have a short notice race on March 3rd bringing one of the oldest classic races in MN back to life. If we receive 3-4" of snow it will be a freestyle event. If 4-6" of snow, it will be classic only event. The 4km loop we have been skiing on the past week remains open. A few small dirt areas opened up today on the south facing, use extra caution.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Cleared off overnight allowing the temperature to really drop. Recorded a low of 7F degrees on the Maplelag weather station. Groomed the 4km loop yesterday afternoon, mostly to run the sleds in celebration of International Snowmobile Ride Day. Early evening a light frizzle fell upon the surface. Sunshine this morning made things look better than they were but reports of people skiing were good . Went for a fat bike ride this morning with one of the locals and seeing the skate deck decided I would have to ski later. The sun was out raising concern it would eat out some of the snow where the darks spots exist but clouded over again and lower temps keeping the base intact and the deck was a nice surface to ski upon, much faster than yesterday, thanks to that frizzle coating. With interest to ski on this loop, we will keep it open through the week.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

After a melting and rainy day on Thursday, we cooled down overnight with a couple inches of light fluffy snow. There were areas of standing water yesterday afternoon but mid teens froze most everything down by late morning. Early afternoon groomed the 4km loop we have been working on the past week. After a few hours went and skied it. Very thin but rock solid base. The new snow slowing down the glide compared to the fast corn snow we were skiing on earlier in the week but grateful to have something to ski on. Some icy sections but easy to double pole through on the flats. Ran into a couple other skiers and were happy to be skiing compared to what we had yesterday. Trails not groomed after the new snow on top and might be skiable but not recommended as the new snow is covering the ice and bare spots. Also groomed the inner fat bike trails. Like the ski trails, some icy sections underneath the snow but rideable. Entire 25km fat bike loop is open but use a little extra caution on the corners and low part of the berms.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Got our for a morning skate ski on the 4km of trail we are maintaining. Hit the sweet spot and enjoyed really nice skiing on the softening frozen corn corduroy that set up firm after last nights grooming and snow harvesting. We are back out this afternoon patching on this loop. Trails will be closed Wednesday afternoon and all day Thursday for now. Friday will depend on Thursday's night weather.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Another day much cooler than forecasted. We managed to stay around the freezing mark all day with cloud cover which provided skiing into the afternoon and helped maintain the coverage and base we have. At lunch time I went to the northern part of the trail system to check out the trails after not being up there in a few weeks. Found adequate coverage on North Loup to ski all the way around other than a few short south facing sections. The part of Roy's Run I skied had good coverage and great crust skiing on a 7" wide Ginzu groomed combed only surface. Enjoyed "sweet spot" skiing the entire time. After returning, put on the fish scaled classic skis and skied the 5km we are still grooming, with Jonell. Fun spring like conditions, a few icy sections but the corn snow was just creamy enough for adequate edging. Looks like another good freeze tonight and trails will be open in the morning. Grooming plans: No grooming planned this evening but there is still structure on the deck as a result of lighter traffic today. Tomorrow we will patch the thin areas on the 5km loop once the harvesting snow softens up.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)