Today was the gnarliest day of grooming this season. We were greeted with 2" of new snow in the morning than winds kicked in with gusts up to 57mph. Regardless, we groomed all day working on 40km of trail. Lots of drifts and organic forest matter to contend with but we persevered as temps fell 20 degrees to below zero again. Trails remained busy with skiers and everyone seemed to embrace the conditions and the dynamics of winter. Grooming plans: We will touch up a few trails this evening and be back out in the morning working on 47km of trail.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

A chilly start to the day but sunshine and no wind made for a splendid day on the trails. All the grooming set up nicely overnight making for great skiing. Grooming today occurred late afternoon on Sap Run, Sukkerbusk, Skaters Waltz, and Suicide Hill. Fat bike trails tightened up as well and were riding superb today. Grooming plans: With forecasted snow and wind, we are planning grooming later afternoon and into the evening.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

On my last day at Maplelag, I decided to close out my trip on the skate trails. After a warm night the snow had warmed up considerably and crystallized a bit on top. Sections were still a tad soft but the slight crust on top made for much better glide and faster skis. Again, the grooming was pristine. I skied all of skaters walz, including the extension and the connecting trails with the large hill, which was a blast. The highlight of the ski, was the baby deer I saw bounding through the drifts of snow at the far end of the extension, with snow up to its neck. Great way to end the trip.

(Chris Jopp)

Fit in a quick 1.3km loop before leaving Maplelag. Terrific classic skiing conditions on Sap Run and gorgeous views! The tracks were in good shape and were faster than previous days. I gained a lot of speed on one hill in particular. Lovely last loop before leaving the area.

(Emily Hietpas)

Diamond snow sprinkled the trails this morning as groomers prepared 80km of trail (20km of fat bike). Afternoon snow squalls then clearing making for a great day on the trails. The trails setting up nicely this evening with falling temps as the Snow Moon provide fantastic lighting for a moon lit ski. Grooming plans: Touch up grooming on select trails tomorrow.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

On our second day at Maplelag we tackled some of the outer trails, namely Twin Lakes. The temps were a bit warmer today but the snow still on the soft and slow side due to the extreme lows overnight. With accompanying high winds and a few sections of prairie we had to traverse a few drifts that had blown over the trail, making for some fun "adventure" skiing. The woods were beautiful though and felt wilder than the sections immediately around the resort. Rolling hills and twists and turns made for a fun challenge.

Photos:

(Chris Jopp)

Such a great day for classic skiing at Maplelag on natural snow trails. Personally, I like the soft and supportive feeling of fresh snow cushioning the tracks when I am not seeking speed and am out mainly for the scenery. It's like a winter hug from the earth! The snow was deep and plentiful. Heard several birds, including a very chatty nuthatch. Decided to ski Twin Lakes (5.6 km) and part of Sukkerbusk in the afternoon and it was the highlight of the trip. The landscape was varied and had great vantage points of the forest and lakes. A mix of flat, uphill, downhill, and curves. Grooming was great and both trails were double track. Tracks were in great condition; only a few parts had snow drifts from the wind, but it was easy to jump into the other track when needed. A few fallen leaves on the trail in sections, but that only added to the beauty of the experience.

(Emily Hietpas)

Excellent conditions. A few soft spots on the outer trails otherwise great skiing being reported. All skate only trails were groomed this morning as well as the challenge hill. Classic only trails: New track cut on most double track mid day for fresh look after wind brought down a few leaves. Surprisingly no drifting to speak of. We also groomed around 20km of fat bike trail. Grooming plans: Tomorrow we will be cutting new track on all singletrack classic trails and most of the double track. Remainder of the fat bike singletrack on the west will be groomed.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Gorgeous afternoon striding on the classic trails at Maplelag: Sukkerbusk & Mother Hen trails and sections of Rootin' Tootin' (avoiding the "expert hill"). Trails are lovingly cared for and spectacular. Snow was extra glittery in the afternoon as the sun lowered in the sky.

(Emily Hietpas)

Visited Maplelag resort with my girlfriend and had our first ski of the trip on Sukkerbusk and parts of Jib Fly and Rootin Tootin. We are from the cities and were thrilled with the abundance of snow and vast coverage. The woods were quiet and beautiful and although temps were low you would never know it due to the sunshine and heavily sheltered woods. The grooming was impeccable. Because of the large amounts or recent snow and the cold temps the trails were a little soft and the tracks on the slower side but once the temps warm up a bit they should be lightning fast.

Photos:

(Chris Jopp)