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)

After a morning of snow harvesting bringing a few loads to the trails in the woods, took a lap on Skaters Waltz at lunch catching the end of the sweet spot. Froze down hard last night and the grooming from the night be fore set up well and was about as good as it gets spring skiing. We were back out in the afternoon scraping snow off the lake and transporting to the start area. Temp was close to 50 today and there was some snow loss but grooming at dusk still found coverage throughout Skaters. A few more passes this evening on Skaters will provide skiing opportunity tomorrow before 1pm. The Kamikaze section is a bit more thin and recommended to use Sap Run as a connector to make a loop. Other trails have more bare spots, can definitely make a skiable loop using a variety of trails that have the best coverage.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

It was a very good day of spring skiing this morning at Maplelag! Zero skis again provided great grip. I skied North Loup and Roy's Run; there was good coverage of snow on these two trails and the ski deck was holding very well. There were a few thinning spots where the sun was starting to overcome the snow, but not significant enough to affect skiing this morning.

(Glenn Gifford)

Not quite as warm today and cloud cover kept melting to a minimum. Skied a few laps on Skaters Waltz this morning finding fun and fast spring like conditions. Rest of the day we were harvesting snow to Skaters Waltz and Sap Run. The snow was damp and packed well. This evening we combed and ran the Ginzu teeth down, floating the surface as it was already freezing down hard on Skaters Waltz and Sap Run. Did not reset tracks. With the cold temps tonight and adequate coverage on most trails, we will be open again Wednesday until 1pm. Best coverage is on Sap Run and Skaters Waltz. Other trails are open but haven't been groomed or patrolled so use extra caution etc.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

I skied two of the the inner trails today, Mother North Star and Jibfly. Temps were in the low 30s. I used Fischer Zero skis and they gripped very well. Extra caution advised before proceeding on some of the downhills, to check the sun has not opened any unexpected holes in the trail that may grab your ski and cause a fall. I also skied Twin Lakes and also part of the Island Lake trail. Coverage was surprisingly mostly very good in the trees. There were a couple of thin spots, usually on a south facing exposure after catching some extra sun. It was excellent spring skiing conditions (but the calendar still only says "January"). No matter the temps and despite the limited snowfall, you won't find better conditions in my opinion, and it's always a good day to ski Maplelag. Thank you.

(Glenn Gifford)

Fun spring like skiing this morning. Skaters Waltz was skiing well until noon or so. Tracks were bit icy but better at softening point. We spent the afternoon and early evening shoveling and farming snow on to Sap Run and Skaters Waltz and grooming after. Another day bit warmer than forecasted and along with sun, the base deteriorated with more thin areas opening up.
The trails will be closing at noon on Tuesday to try and preserve the base we have during this warm spell as we continue shoveling on the above trails.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

A beautiful morning of skiing before getting warm with a little bit of melting and softening in the afternoon. Great seeing everyone out this weekend enjoying the conditions we have. Sunshine and frost made for beautiful skiing despite the thin base. We will have the trails open in the morning Monday and Tuesday for those that have inquired. Expect icy conditions before it softens. No grooming since Saturday evening. We ask people to ski in the morning to help preserve the base of snow we have during this upcoming warm period. Operating plans: We will be snow farming and shoveling snow on Skaters Waltz and Sap Run every day this week for weekend skiing and the section races next week. We ask people stay off these trails to preserve our snow farming efforts. Thank you! Photos from Brittany Diederich.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Snow cover remains good at Maplelag today, and the classic tracks were in decent shape overall. I used Zero skis today and they worked very well for today's spring-like conditions. We were off the trail by early afternoon as the snow was starting to feel like March instead of January. Last night's soft rime ice/hoar frost on the trees was starting to fall from the trees which gave the ski trails a light dusting to freshen things up a bit for Sunday.

(Glenn Gifford)

Beautiful morning/afternoon of skiing Skaters Waltz/North Loop! Blue sky and frosty trees- a lovely gift. Trails beautifully groomed, and snow conditions very user-friendly. Thank you, Richards family!

(Cindy Spidahl)

A beautiful day on the trails. Clouds gave way to sunshine which highlighted the beautiful frost on the trees. A busy day on the trails and thanks everyone that skied in the morning. Trails held out well. At dusk, Skaters Waltz and the skate lane on North Loup was combed and compacted. Looks to be a bit warmer tomorrow, best to get out in the morning again for best conditions. Tracks might be a bit icy early but sweet spot around 10am-12pm. 34km groomed with tracks set, 15km groomed for skate skiing.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)