Pretty incredible classic skiing for April 21st. Jonell and I got out just before noon, the tracks were just starting to soften up and the glide was fantastic. The ice base areas didn't look the best but skied really well. Cleared some deadfall late afternoon near the late season loop and was surprised how well the snow was holding out. With rain forecasted tomorrow morning and warmer temps to follow, we are closing the trails. Thanks everyone who supported the trails at Maplelag and made it a fantastic season. We are hopeful we can open up the mountain bike trails in 2-3 weeks time.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Yesterday's report I mentioned we would try to sneak in one more groom if it snowed. I said that after looking at the snow models. The one particular model run I have been watching this winter has been very accurate and once again it delivered with 3-4" of snow today. Driving conditions in the area were confirmed by locals as the worst of the season before roads cleared in the afternoon. It did warm up and settled quite a bit but by late evening the snow started to set up and crust on the surface. Late evening groomed the 4km late season loop setting a track and combing out the skate lane. Skating should be fast early and maybe a bit spongy early than softening up. Best to skate before 11am. The classic track should freeze down good and by icy fast in the morning before transitioning to some great late season classic skiing 10am-1pm and be very skiable into the afternoon. Any more grooming after this evening depends on what the temps and clouds do tomorrow. Either way has been an April like none other!

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Another incredible April day on the trails. Skiing was fantastic in the morning before warming up, getting soft and a bit slushy but a early evening ski was still very nice and enjoyed skiing in the tracks made by skiers in front of us. Nice to get in one more special fat bike ride as well this morning. Yesterday's groom set up perfectly and rolled so good. Grooming most likely done and trail closing for the season unless the precip tomorrow is snow and can sneak in one more groom Wednesday night or Thursday morning.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Pretty special day on the trails. Unreal actually. Another inch or so of new snow overnight. Hit the late season loop in the morning, heading out with the Ginzu to mix the old base with the fresh but the the new snow was too dense and was just pulling off the base resulting in a squeegee groom which was not good. Hooked up the roller, made a few passes than let it set up a few hours than ran the Ginzu three times. Early evening hit the golden hour for some incredible skiing. Dry snow, snappy action that got faster as the sun slowly set. Should be really good in the morning before 11am. Also groomed 14km of fat bike trail in between the ski trail grooming sessions. Follow the grooming. Same deal, best riding before 11am.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

A special Easter day of skiing and fresh snow. Awesome early afternoon of crust skiing before snow moved with with around 3" new. New snow made for lovely late afternoon early evening skiing on the late season loop. We will be out grooming in the morning on the 4km late season loop and plan to have this trail open until sunset on Tuesday.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Beautiful sunny day for Saturday added to the spectacular skiing today. Late season 4km loop was groomed in the morning than again in the late afternoon. Temp stayed below 30 today but the sun was strong eating into the south areas a little but still fully covered. Should set up hard again tonight and be nice skiing in the morning. (bit crustier on the south kissed areas that will harden a bit more tonight.).

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Another inch of snow overnight with snow squalls continuing through the morning. Groomed the late season 4km loop, making a couple passes running the Ginzu blades mixing the old crusty corn snow with the new and yesterday's grooming structure. After skiing, hooked up with Peder A. and US Olympian Biathlete Paul Schommer for a few laps. Temps was 17 degrees, fresh snow falling making it feel more like mid January. Awesome skiing. Good to see some other folks out as well.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Around 2" of new snow as of 8pm with continued off and on squalls. Skate groomed the 4km late season loop early evening. Worked the new snow into the crusty corn base with the Ginzu blades the first two passes than pressed the surface on the last past for the final corduroy finish. Snowed another half inch after grooming. Skied to check things out and flick some sticks off. Pretty incredible skiing for April 14th. Silky smooth and level deck. Will be back out in the morning grooming any new snow.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Despite rain instead of snow after the latest precipitation event, we are still hanging on to much of our base. Some areas have melted off, mainly in the open and exposed but in the woods the coverage is good. Went out for a early evening ski thinking I'd hit the transition period as temps were falling. Started out on the 4km late season loop. Froze down a bit harder than I expected making for very fast conditions. Got off that loop and skied other trails and found some really nice crust skiing. Did the entire North Loup which was mostly good, on long bare stretch and a couple icy base segments. Hit some of the smaller lakes adjacent to the trails and found even better crust skiing. If we receive more than 2" of the forecasted snow, we will groom on the 4km late season loop as temps look to remain cool.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Went out for a ski mid afternoon on the 4km loop that was groomed last week after the rain and snow stopped after lunch time. Found full coverage all the way through, just a few spots on the edges thinning out on the south facing but in no way did it impeded the skiing. Sun popped out and ended up being a gorgeous spring ski. After skiing groomed the loop, refreshing the structure. Looks to glaze over enough tonight for good skiing early morning before next rain/snow event moves in.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)