All skate only trails were renovated/tilled and structured this morning. Took a few extra passes after the deck set up super hard from lows near zero but the end result was good and skied nice despite the brisk day. As usual, we patched up some thinner areas and filled in some low spots. Track was reset on 10km of trail. Other classic only trails skied well, some washed out areas and organic forest matter but reports were good from skiers today. Grooming plans: We will be out in the morning grooming the all the skate only trails again and setting new track on the classic only trails.

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(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

We spent the weekend skiing at Maplelag resort. The trails are in wonderful early season conditions. I used my good skis all weekend long with out worries. Bonus night ski under the full moon was spectacular. The staff at Maplelag are some of the very best! Well done Maplelag, well done!

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(Charles Rietschel)

Magical day on the trails. An inch or two of new snow overnight lingering into the late morning. All skate trails were groomed and track reset on about 15km of trail. The remaining classic trails skied nice with the new snow, few spots washed out. Checked out portions of all the classic trails at sunset into the moon rise and found the best tracks on Roy's Run, JibFly and Sap Run. Skied out onto Bullhead lake to check out the moon where Highland Park was playing ski games. Incredible scene. Grooming plans: Skate deck will be renovated and structured in morning as well as Suicide Hill. Tracks to be reset on Mother Hen, all other classic trails will be left as is. Fat Bike trail was groomed yesterday afternoon. The new snow on top but riders today packed the new on the inner in the east loops.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

First trip up to Maplelag so far this season. Very good snow coverage on the trails. Perfect day for green kick wax. We skied Sukkerbusk, Twin Lakes, and Roy’s Run. All were in fine shape! Looking forward to our next trip.

(Glenn Gifford)

We tracked the remainder of the trail system last night and this morning. The double track groomed up nice considering the snow to work with. The outer singletrack loops are a bit thinner and shallow tracks in spots but still very skiable and reports were good from skiers today. The double track is in the best shape and holding well after a day of high volume of skier traffic. We also combed the skate trails again this morning. Checked the skate trails at dusk and the skate trail was skiing really nice. Skied in well by the ski teams today for Ski Camp. Also double poled on some classic trails and found good conditions, yes some scattered organic forest matter. Grooming plans: We are set to comb the skate trails again in the morning and will reset tracks if over an inch of new snow.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Around 3" new snow overnight. We have been combing out the new snow and setting track on select trails today, everything setting up nicely with temps near zero. There was a period of sleet before the snow that accumulated to almost an inch that bonded to the base and froze together and is providing a great underlayer. When setting track, we are able to mix old snow with the new snow with the Ginzu blades in many areas and some of the base of the track is hard/crusty. Still some wind blowing snow into the tracks and frontal snow falling that should help take of the edge. With the wind there was a lot of forest debris but no complaints with the new snow and base survival. Grooming plans: We will comb out all the skate trails again in the morning and continue setting track on trail segments where possible.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Base is holding on after the warm soggy day today. Skied the skate trails at lunch time and coverage was good. Some areas opened up but overall things look good considering. Temps are falling back below freezing and we are hopeful for some snow tonight,ready to groom when conditions and timing is right. We spent much time this week building up thin areas on Skaters Waltz, JibFly, Sukkerbusk and Sap Run.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

I classic skied Sukkerbusk trail this morning. The trail had some leaves, but my skin skis were excellent given the conditions. The tracks were firm and fast, but not icy. The skate deck looked to be in excellent shape given the recent warm conditions as well.

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(Tom Dooher)

I was going to say that it was great early season skiing, but it isn't fair to use that qualifier. It was great skiing, the only thing early about it was my conditioning. The deck was firm, fully covered and groomed. The 30+ temps made for fast (relatively for me) skiing. The classic trails looked to be equally as good. There is no reason to not get out there and ski.

(Charles Ramstad)

A spectacular sunshiny day on the trails! Sunshine always makes things better and clear skies and single digits overnight set everything up nicely. Overall a great day of skiing. Skied with Jonell in the morning and was the best classic ski of the year. Sukkerbusk is in the best shape of all the classic trails. The snow has transformed to a sugary goodness but a firm base and providing nice glide. Yes, some rough, thin (on outer trails) and scattered organic forest matter areas but overall doesn't get much better for December 11th. Opted out of grooming late afternoon after looking at the forecast. Instead went for a skate ski to check out the new solar lights and found awesome conditions on the skate deck, especially skaters waltz and the extension. North Loup was a bit more rough and bumpy but I had B skis on so all good.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)