We skated a modified Skaters Waltz loop that was marked with cones. Conditions were good considering the extremely dry winter. The Maplelag crew always does an amazing job at making the best of the natural snow. A lot of snow farming and meticulous grooming is keeping the little snow they have skiable.

Photos:

(Ben Olson)

Today we rolled (no compactor bar) the new Lotvola Cup race course. The course includes Sukkerbusk, Twin Lakes, North Loup and Sap Run trails. This was simply a patrol groom and anticipation for possible snow later this week. It is not open for skiing. We are keeping optimistic for late season snow to have a short notice race on March 3rd bringing one of the oldest classic races in MN back to life. If we receive 3-4" of snow it will be a freestyle event. If 4-6" of snow, it will be classic only event. The 4km loop we have been skiing on the past week remains open. A few small dirt areas opened up today on the south facing, use extra caution.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Cleared off overnight allowing the temperature to really drop. Recorded a low of 7F degrees on the Maplelag weather station. Groomed the 4km loop yesterday afternoon, mostly to run the sleds in celebration of International Snowmobile Ride Day. Early evening a light frizzle fell upon the surface. Sunshine this morning made things look better than they were but reports of people skiing were good . Went for a fat bike ride this morning with one of the locals and seeing the skate deck decided I would have to ski later. The sun was out raising concern it would eat out some of the snow where the darks spots exist but clouded over again and lower temps keeping the base intact and the deck was a nice surface to ski upon, much faster than yesterday, thanks to that frizzle coating. With interest to ski on this loop, we will keep it open through the week.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

After a melting and rainy day on Thursday, we cooled down overnight with a couple inches of light fluffy snow. There were areas of standing water yesterday afternoon but mid teens froze most everything down by late morning. Early afternoon groomed the 4km loop we have been working on the past week. After a few hours went and skied it. Very thin but rock solid base. The new snow slowing down the glide compared to the fast corn snow we were skiing on earlier in the week but grateful to have something to ski on. Some icy sections but easy to double pole through on the flats. Ran into a couple other skiers and were happy to be skiing compared to what we had yesterday. Trails not groomed after the new snow on top and might be skiable but not recommended as the new snow is covering the ice and bare spots. Also groomed the inner fat bike trails. Like the ski trails, some icy sections underneath the snow but rideable. Entire 25km fat bike loop is open but use a little extra caution on the corners and low part of the berms.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Got our for a morning skate ski on the 4km of trail we are maintaining. Hit the sweet spot and enjoyed really nice skiing on the softening frozen corn corduroy that set up firm after last nights grooming and snow harvesting. We are back out this afternoon patching on this loop. Trails will be closed Wednesday afternoon and all day Thursday for now. Friday will depend on Thursday's night weather.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Another day much cooler than forecasted. We managed to stay around the freezing mark all day with cloud cover which provided skiing into the afternoon and helped maintain the coverage and base we have. At lunch time I went to the northern part of the trail system to check out the trails after not being up there in a few weeks. Found adequate coverage on North Loup to ski all the way around other than a few short south facing sections. The part of Roy's Run I skied had good coverage and great crust skiing on a 7" wide Ginzu groomed combed only surface. Enjoyed "sweet spot" skiing the entire time. After returning, put on the fish scaled classic skis and skied the 5km we are still grooming, with Jonell. Fun spring like conditions, a few icy sections but the corn snow was just creamy enough for adequate edging. Looks like another good freeze tonight and trails will be open in the morning. Grooming plans: No grooming planned this evening but there is still structure on the deck as a result of lighter traffic today. Tomorrow we will patch the thin areas on the 5km loop once the harvesting snow softens up.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Maplelag is maintaining a loop of around 5 k(?), primarily over Skater's Waltz and Sukkerbusk, providing for a good ski. The loop can be skated or skied trackless classic. Suicide Hill is still covered well and is in good shape for hill climbing. Considering MN ski conditions this winter, it is great to still have access to skiing. Thanks to Jay, Jon, and the team at Maplelag.

(Glenn Gifford)

A nice day of spring skiing on 5km of trail. We hovered around freezing today with thick clouds keeping the snow snappy and thin base mostly intact. The loop we have been maintaining the past week saw good use today but held out well. Skied early afternoon to check conditions and was great seeing so many people out. A few icy spots but high humidity taking off the edge. Knowing the coverage I used my best skis but recommend B or rock skis to be safe. This afternoon and early evening we groomed the loop, patching as many thin areas as we could. This 5km loop will be open again tomorrow, recommended to ski from 10am-1pm for best conditions. Trail can be picked up behind freight house using the soccer filed connector. Once up on skaters waltz, loop can be skied either direction cones at intersections.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Hard freeze and slightly cooler temps today kept the base and coverage we have intact. Went out for a skate ski this morning but ventured off the trail to take advantage of the great crust skiing on the adjacent lakes. Hadn't been on some of the outer trails in a while after focusing on the inner loops and pleased to find the coverage hanging on. South facing slopes bare or very very thin. This afternoon we worked on a few south facing segments of the 5km loop we are grooming and nice to see a few people out skiing. Trails will be open another day, not sure on Sunday so trails will be open all day Saturday. Recommended to ski mid morning until 2pm on the groomed loop, east segments of Skaters Waltz and Sukkerbusk. Cones are out marking the key turns. Best place to access is far parking lot where Sukkerbusk starts and finish and head out through soccer field connector.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Morning low was nearly 10 degrees cooler than forecasted which allowed everything to freeze down rock hard and last a little longer before today's high temp of 44. Skied around noon on a 5km loop that has the best coverage which includes the east side segments of Skaters Waltz and Sukkerbusk using Sap Run as a connector. This afternoon we shoveled on the thin areas then groomed it out. It was already freezing down at dusk and should set up hard overnight. Best skiing from 10am-12pm and we ask folks to be off by 1pm. We will be back out tomorrow working on these segments.We are hopeful we can have these trails open Saturday as well. Bare spots have opened up on other trails in between the good coverage and extreme caution advised if venturing off on other trails.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)