12 degrees, cloudy 1" fluff snow falling on Friday. 85km trail open. 55km groomed classic, 15km groomed skate, 15km singletrack fat bike groomed. Comments: Warmer temperatures brought the locals back out today. A busy day on the trails with skiers, fat bikers and grooming. We did most of the grooming in the afternoon and into the late evening. All the skate trails were groomed and new track cut on Sukkerbusk, Twin Lakes, Mother North Star and JibFly with 1" fluff snow falling after grooming. After the snow stopped, back out in the evening to track Rootin Tootin, Bullhead Bootleg, Roy's Run, Sap Run and combed out Skaters Waltz. In between grooming, got out for a lovely ski with my granddaughter while it was snowing and had to check out the new trailhead sign! Grooming plans: Touch up grooming as needed over the Presidents weekend.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

The classic trails at Maplelag remain in great shape. I skied the Island Lake trail; the tracks were fine and firm.

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(Glenn Gifford)

A spectacular day on the trails. Sunshine, light winds -5 for a daytime high after morning low of -24. Comments: It was a chilly day for sure but the sunshine was brilliant taking off the edge. Classic skiing is as good as it gets. Skating a bit slower but the deck is solid and firm. Despite the early morning lows the snow provided great action in the tracks. The trails have been a bit more quiet these past two days but conditions really can't be beat, especially for classic. Skied the Lotvola Cup course over lunch which is in great shape. Jonell and I just wrapped up a moonlit ski under the February snow moon...fantastic light! Grooming plans: Tomorrow the skate trails will be refreshed and we will complete fat bike grooming on the Twin Lakes singletrack.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Little bit cooler day than anticipated today but the brilliant sunshine under a bluebird day took of the edge of sub zero air temps and skiing was very nice. Snow is providing good action after grooming and a slight transformation. Comments: All skate trails were renovated and combed this morning, the dry abrasive snow making it a bit more challenging to set structure but the base is firm. Classic trail grooming on Sap Run, Sukkerbusk, Mother North Star, JibFly, Single Green, Kristin's Kutoff, Twin Lakes and the track on Bullhead Lake was reset. We also started working on the fat bike trail, grooming around 5km. We are making four passes and working segments at a time instead of the full loop in effort to firm up the base as much as possible. Sighted another barred owl near Skaters Waltz extension. We have been seeing this one on the north end of the property on Roy's Run and North Loup trails. Grooming plans: Track resetting planned on Poki Loki and Mother North Star late morning.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Skied a little over 15k of classic on Sunday afternoon and the trails were fantastic. The area had recently received several inches of fresh snow and as we drove into the resorts we could tell the groomer had been out over night and freshened up the trails. It's always so exciting to see fresh tracks as we drive in. Spent most of our time enjoying the hills on Twin Lakes and Wavy Gravy but also ventured onto other trails. Finished out the afternoon enjoying s'mores at the fire in front of the cabin (Sandy says thanks Jonell! :) Another awesome day at Maplelag!

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(Lance Strum)

Wonderful Day! Three of us skate skied and one classic and all trails were excellent. Skaters Walz including the Extension was nicely packed even after recent snow. Main office with lounging areas and changing rooms worked very well for our mid day break and back out on the trails for an afternoon ski! Always happy at Maplelag!

(Kay Halvorson)

Single digits, brilliant sunshine, light winds. 3" new snowfall past 24 hours. 11" snow past 7 days. 39" of snowfall this season, compacted base on trail 4-7". Snow depth in woods 8-28". All trails open 50km groomed classic, 15km groomed skate, 12km groomed for fat bike with 2" snow on top, rider packed. Comments: Completed the grooming of the entire trail system after the most recent 3" snowfall this morning setting singletrack on Wavy Gravy and Island Lake trails. Also touched up double track on Sukkerbusk. In the afternoon Jonell and I classic skied. Glide was much better today. Still some softness but overall very nice skiing. Grooming plans: All skate trails will be renovated and combed in the morning and track to be reset on Kristin's Kutoff, Single Green and a few other inner trails.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

A nice day on the trails, cooler temps kept the glide bit slower due to the fresh softer snow conditions and hints of snirt. Comments: Groomed around 70km today, giving all the trails all touch except Wavy Gravy and Island Lake trails. Those two trails on tap for Sunday as well as North Loup skate lane which needs some work. Fun having my wife Jonell join today on Skaters Waltz, in the spirt of International Snowmobile Ride Day, she's a natural.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Classic track conditions at Maplelag in a word: Impeccable! Grooming was ongoing this afternoon. The tracks are in great shape and snow is abundant.

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(Glenn Gifford)

Light winds, single digits most of the day. Machine groomed dry packed powder with snirt mixed into the base. Snow this evening kicked in, 2" new as of 11:30pm. Comments: Slower skiing today with dry windblown snow, fresh set was the best skiing today, in particular Wavy Gravy and Island Lake trails.. Bumped into the state qualifiers from Moorhead Nordic as I went out to reset the track on Bullhead lake who were utilizing the track set on Eira Bikwadinaa hill and single green climb. All skate lanes were combed this morning and new track cut on Twin Lakes, Wavy Gravy, Island Lake, Loon Return, Rootin Tootin and track on North Loup. SukkerWest and Twin Lakes singletrack fat bike groomed. Rode this evening in the falling snow, great ride until I crashed into a tree due to a faulty rear brake. Think I should be okay for grooming tomorrow as the plan is to groom as much trail as possible throughout the day.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)