High temperature today was in the very early morning at 43 degrees. Wind kicked in as a cold front pushed through, dropping the temperature to mid teens at sunset. Dusting of fluff snow today on top of groomed hardpack/icy base. Recommended classic skin on 10km of trail and skate skiing on 0km of trail. Other trails have very icy sections but also good sections with full depth tracks from recent grooming. This morning we classic trail groomed on Roy's Run, JibFly and North Loup. Skate grooming on Skaters Waltz and skate lane on North Loup. Late afternoon we touched up the skate lanes again. I skate skied over lunch hour and was probably the best skate skiing of the week! The fresh groomed and little dusting of snow made for nice skiing. The start area is very icy and open areas but once you get in the woods, skiing improves.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Springlike conditions. Another day cooler temps lingered into early afternoon before giving way to sunshine and warmer temps late afternoon. Low temperature of 29 high temperature 36. Areas of thin cover, icy spots and a few random wet spots. Comments: This morning new track was cut on Rootin Tootin and skate lane on North Loup was gently tilled. This afternoon new track was cut on Sap Run and Mother North Star. We lost a little bit more snow. Trails are very skiable, recommending to classic ski on Sap Run, Sukkerbusk and North Loup. North Star and Rootin Tootin have that fresh track but a few more thin areas. Use caution and very skiable. Skating on Skaters Waltz and North Loup. Over the lunch hour I skated on Skaters Waltz and North Loup. Thought I got out too late to enjoy sweet spot spring skiing but clouds and cooler weather kept the snow snappy until the clouds broke and it warmed up. Grooming plans: When it starts to cool down in the morning we plan to groom on Sukkerbusk and North Loup cutting new track and refreshing the skate lane on Skaters Waltz and North Loup.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Springlike conditions. Not nearly as warm today as forecasted. 35 degrees, sun/cloud mix. Recommended classic skiing on Sap Run, Sukkerbusk, Twin Lakes and North Loup. Skating on Skaters Waltz and North Loup. Comments: This morning new tracks were renovated and cut on Sap Run, Twin Lakes and Sukkerbusk. Skaters Waltz was renovated and combed. At sunset I skied classic with good skin skis. The snow has completely transformed to corn snow making for nice glide even in the warm temps and dirty snow. This evening back out grooming cutting new track on Sap Run, Sukkerbusk and Twin Lakes again. Skaters Waltz renovated and combed at the right time and should be fantastic spring skate skiing in the morning tomorrow. Grooming plans: New tracking planned on Rootin Tootin and skate lane on North Loup to be renovated and combed.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Very good spring skiing conditions today between 11 and 1:30 pm on Twin Lakes, Sukkerbusk, and North Loup, all of which were on the "Groomer's Choice" list for today. Great day to be outdoors at Maplelag.

Photos:

(Glenn Gifford)

Trails are holding up well, especially given the warmer temps yesterday and today. I skied from 10:30 am until 1 pm today. By 1pm the snow was softening as projected. Waxless skis worked well.

Photos:

(Glenn Gifford)

Very good to excellent mid winter conditions. Morning low 1 degree, high temperature 12. Sun/cloud mix. 85km trail open. 55km groomed classic, 15km groomed skate, 15km singletrack fat bike groomed. Comments: Today all the skate trails were groomed and track set on North Star and Bullhead Lake to wrap up a complete regroom of the trail system the past three days. Twin Lakes singletrack also groomed for fat biking, touching up rutted areas.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Morning low -5, high temperature 12 degrees, brilliant sunshine, light winds. 85km trail open. 55km groomed classic, 15km groomed skate, 15km singletrack fat bike groomed. Comments: Clouds moved in overnight keeping our low around 0 and didn't drop to the official low until it cleared at sunrise. A nice warmup to the teens and combined with light winds and spectacular late February sunshine, it was a near perfect day on the trails. Classic grooming on the singletrack trails today, Island Lake and Wavy Gravy to the west, Roy's Run and North Loup to the north and Rootin Tootin on the inner trail. Everything groomed out very nice, Roy's and Rootin not quite as clean but still great skiing. Grooming plans: All 15km of skate trails on tap for a gentle renovation and comb as well as a new track to be set on Bullhead Lake.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Temps above zero and the tracks remain in great condition. Photos from Maplelag's Bullhead Trail Extension.

Photos:

(Glenn Gifford)

Morning low -19, high temperature of +3. Handful of scattered lingering flurries, a noticeable wind, thanks to dew point close to air temperature. 85km trail open. 55km groomed classic, 15km groomed skate, 15km singletrack fat bike groomed. Comments: People that know me well know I always say it's about the dew point. Whether it's ski trail grooming, skiing or riding hero dirt/snow on the singletrack, the dew point is a game changer. Definitely made it raw out but a little bit easier to condition the snow when grooming. This afternoon and evening tracks were scrubbed out and reset on Mother Hen, JibFly, the easy bypass of JibFly and Sap Run. Fat bike loop "InnerWest" continues to ride fantastic. Grooming plans: Tomorrow plan to reset track on Wavy Gravy, Island Lake, Rootin Tootin, Roy's Run and North Loup.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Had a cool lovely sunny morning ski on Sukkerbusk and sap run. Conditions were perfect. Great tracking and weather. Would keep skiing if didn't have to leave for home. Thanks Maplelag for a great aki.

(Mary Wierschem)