We had a nice day of early season skiing under beautiful sunshine and crisp temperatures. Last night Sukkerbusk and Skaters Waltz were groomed again and set up firmly with morning lows near 0. Reports from the skiers on these trails were good, considering how thin the base is and there is only 3" of snow depth in the woods. We spent most of the day packing and clearing deadfall on the western trails. These trails are closed until a bit more snow. Tomorrow we plan to pack and clear the northern trails. Trails remain open with no track classic skiing on Sukkerbusk and skating on Skaters Waltz. Recommended to use Sap Run as a connector on Skaters Waltz to bypass the rough downhill to Bullhead Bay. Please do not skate on other trails so we can open the classic only trails after the next snowfall.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Around 2" of new snow overnight. We groomed 5km last night after the first inch had fallen and back out this morning grooming the same 5km and a few other trails for a total of 15km of grooming. The 5km we groomed last night is open for early season skiing starting this afternoon. Recommended to use early season skis. The 5km includes the east side of Skaters Waltz segments using Sap Run as a connector. Also most of Sukebusk for no track classic skiing is skiable. No tracks set, watch for rough spots, thin cover etc.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Freezing mist most of the day glazed the coverage that exists on the trails. Late afternoon I skate skied Skaters Waltz and a few other shorter trails flicking off sticks. The glide was great on the very thin base. Still not enough snow to groom or open but we are ready to groom any new snow that falls this weekend. The lake skiing has improved and trails remain open for hiking and biking until new snow.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

It snowed most of the day today which lifted the spirits of everyone at Maplelag today. The dusting of fluff snow improved the skiing on the lake as the teams staying at the resort practiced on technique in snow squalls. We traversed as much of the trail system as we could today clearing windblown and deadfall from the most recent wind and ice store over Christmas time. At dusk I took a lap around the lake on skate skis, 80% had decent coverage and adequate edging, icy on the other 20%. I also took a few laps on our solar powered lit natural snow farm loop (environmentally friendly and healthy to participants my friend in Ironwood, MI. would say) Was barely skiable, downhill segment was best but not enough new snow to groom and open. Forecast is looking better for possible snow, grooming and skiing. Think snow and stay tuned!

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Happy New Year from Maplelag! A beautiful frosty morning enveloping the trails. The trails are still awaiting more snow to groom (we did groom a small loop after the last snowfall) but are open for hiking, biking and exploring to guests staying at the resort. We have also been skating on the lake. We skied last night for New Years and found best coverage on the far west and east sides. Middle was interesting.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

The massive Christmas storm has finally exited. We started out with snow on Christmas Eve which provided skiing opportunities that evening and Christmas Day (photo 1 and 2) before the precipitation turned to rain and wiped out the little snow there was. The ice storm was farther west in the Red River Valley sparing extensive branch/limb damage. Nearly 2" of rain fell out of this system before briefly turning over to snow last night which scantily covered the trails this morning (photo 3 and 4). We are hanging on to the deep frost which is good and a good freeze tonight should set up the surface moisture. Like everyone else relying on natural snow, the wait continues...

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

We had a fun end of the week skiing on the snow farm loop. Nice work to the folks out cranking big time laps. Jake and I were out early afternoon today, foggy conditions and temps just above freezing softened up the deck but the trail held out fine and was good rock skiing, all things considered. With warmer temps moving in we will be closing the loop down mid morning tomorrow. Thanks to the teams and ski camp alumni that came to Maplelag this past week despite the lack of skiing opportunities. Fingers crossed the next weather system is white!

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Although the trails are closed to skiing, we are keeping the 400 meter natural organic snow farmed loop open. A few local skiers have been making laps and we continue to patch up thin areas and Ginzu groom as possible. Latest grooming was this evening. No tracks set. Very thin, bumpy base. Some icy spots but skiable. Best to ski clockwise. Best skiing is mid to late morning and mid afternoon to dusk. I skied at dusk today and thought today was the best skiing since the weekend. Teams here for ski camp are hiking and running on the western trails and skating on the lake. Grooming plans: We plan to haul in another load or two in the morning and groom it out. We hope to keep the loop open as long as we can, weather permitting.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

We picked up a very thin dusting of snow the past 24 hours. Groomed a couple segments and the snow farm last night and this afternoon after another load of snow to the loop. Skied the loop at sunset and was skiable. Still some icy spots, washed out push offs but the little bit of snow and structure slightly improved the conditions and was better than not skiing. We need 2-3" of snow before we can officially open the trails. With the current coverage it won't take much!

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

After transporting a couple more loads of snow to our "hamster cage" loop early this morning, I went out on the other early season trails to check coverage after warm wind yesterday. The trails skied were still hanging on -- yes some thin and bare spots but overall was better than expected. We've had off an on drizzle today and hopeful for colder temps and snow tonight. Grooming plans: If the base freezes down and we pick up any new snow, we plan to groom 2-3km of trail in the morning.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)