3" of new snow early this morning. Grooming on 83km of trail today, 63km ski trail, 20km fat bike singletrack. The trails groomed up very nice, digging deep into the base mixing the transformed snow with the new snow. All the trails were groomed today except the old school singletrack trail Lucky's Loype which still had nice tracks from recent grooming and a trail we always let skied in after fresh snow before grooming again. After the morning groom and Presidents Day skier traffic, we touched up 15km of the more used trails including Skaters Waltz. A skate ski at dusk after grooming with Jonell found very nice conditions. With ideal temps in place, should be a great week of skiing. Touch up grooming on select trails Tuesday and Wednesday and an entire regroom of the full system planned on Thursday.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

I skied the North Loup, Roys Run (pic), Sukkerbusk and Twin Lakes today. The snow was buttery soft and just enough maple leafs in the tracks to remind you where you were skiing! A beautiful afternoon on the trails.

Photos:

(Tom Dooher)

Yet another great day on the trails, first-rate recreation. Plenty of sunshine and no wind, thus the cold not a major factor. The trails are holding firm, obviously a bit slower than usual because of the low temps. I did Roy’s Run and North Loop, along with a number of trails in the mid section, total for all day 27 K. Enjoy!

(Istvan Gombocz)

Morning low checked in at -30F. Once we warmed up to -10F, we went out grooming. We renovated and reset track on Sap Run. After examining the snow and process to reset tracks equal to what existed,decided best to leave the other tracks alone until the snow warms up and humidity rebounds again. (It would be easier to snowcat the tracks using renovator and tiller but we are committed to finishing out the year snowmobile grooming for better skiing experience, in our opinion). We did groom all the skate trails, renovated the transformed base with yet another dusting of snow. We have groomed at all hours of the day and night the past 4 weeks to time the transition of these fascinating temp swings we have been experiencing this winter. The result with this proper timing allows the snow to stay fresher and when we hit that sweet spot in temps of 18-28 degrees, the skating has been phenomenal. Tomorrow we will touch up the fat bike singletrack trails and reset more classic trail late afternoon into the evening, cleaning out the tracks and leveling the few drifted areas. For the remainder of the weekend, touch up grooming as needed. Should be a fantastic Presidents weekend of skiing! Note: There are many animals on the move and a great time of year to see so many tracks. The wolves and coyotes have been using the firm base to reach up on the trees and eat mushrooms. With lighter skier traffic this week, the deer and a possible moose, have been on the trails. Some of the deer look like they have had a party on the trails, others run straight down the trail and on the side nicely (see photo 1) Enjoy nature.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Weather conditions by far not as rough as predicted, or feared. The February sunshine helped a lot, particularly, of course, in the woods. Trails a bit slow because of the cold, but still fun. I did Wavy Gravy, Island Lakes, Twin Lakes, and everything in the middle. 34 K, my personal record with classic style.

(Istvan Gombocz)

Maplelag as usual had received a little more bonus snow than surrounding areas on Sunday. Jay had worked the light fluffy windfall into textured magic on Skaters Waltz, Skater’s Extension and North Loop. Best skiing of the year! The snow was not spring time sweet spot magical fast. But it was blue sky look around in the woods a little and enjoy the extra effortless glide because you trust the ski fast enough snow. We jumped in the classic tracks on the downs on N Loop, on the second time around they were faster than the skate deck with no trace of ice or glaze in the track. Mid-winter perfection.

(Denny Barry)

A gorgeous day on the trails with plenty of sunshine. Fresh tracks set among others on Mother North Star, Sap Run, and North Loop. Fast skiing even with simple fish scale skis. Total of 22.8K including Roy’s Run.

(Istvan Gombocz)

Light fluffy snow 4 out of the last 5 days has accumulated to around 3". Welcomed breaks of sunshine in between allowing the brilliant mid February sun to light up the forest. We have been grooming daily on the trails, including a special full moon groom in the middle of the night Sunday night keeping the trails in tip top shape. Select grooming planned the rest of the week will bring the entire trail system regroomed before the Presidents weekend. Fat bike trails continue to be the best riding we have ever seen. The end of the ski season is fast approaching, contact us for special end of season deals mentioning code "skinnyski73".

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Excellent conditions. 1" of dense new snow today. We groomed most of the trail system today while it was snowing. We renovated the frozen granulated base, mixing the transformed snow with the freshly fallen snow. The trails groomed up very nice and a late night ski with Jonell found lovely conditions. The very light dusting of snow on top of the recently groomed skied very nice. Some of the trails groomed earlier in the day a bit slower skier with the light dusting on tap including the skate trails. Fat bike trails have been phenomenal this week, grooming on tap for Friday morning. Friday evening we will renovate and comb out the skate trails and touch up any classic trails needing clean up. Great weekend of Nordic on tap!

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Today skied Sukkerbusk, the North Loup, and Roy’s Run. Used Fischer Zero skis, and walked up all but the steepest inclines. The trails are in excellent shape! Snow in abundance. On a side note, we also were able to stay for some great tunes performed by local musician Mike Gilson in the lodge, followed by a delicious lodge meal of brisket, scalloped potatoes, salad, and Russian Creme for dessert. Excellent day to enjoy (and appreciate) Maplelag’s hospitality and the many km’s of professionally groomed trails there.

(Glenn Gifford)