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)

The 6" of fluff snow groomed out really nice today. Top 3 day at Maplelag this season. Spectacular skiing. Entire trail system groomed today. Tomorrow we will be back out touching up select trails and working on the fat bike trails.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

SnowBowl Sunday! Big time prairie effect snow this afternoon and evening with continuous squalls of super fluff snow accumulating to around 6". The snow is super light thanks to lower cold air temps exemplifying the moisture aloft. This afternoon we cut new track on Wavy Gravy, Island Lake, Sukkerbusk, Sap Run and Loon Return. Tomorrow morning we will begin grooming the entire trail system again. Excellent conditions.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Morning low checked in at -27 and temps stayed below zero but that didn't stop a great day of winter play as trails were very busy with skiers, snowshoers, sledders, skaters, fat bikers and fisher people! Grooming today saw action on the skate trails, challenge hill and 10km of singletrack for fat biking. Very fine grained snow fell this afternoon making for slower skiing which should continue in to the morning but overall conditions are excellent. Dry powdery snow on firm base. No ice. Grooming plans: Groomers are ready to touch up trails as needed and groom any new snow tomorrow. Operation plans: Just two more full weeks of ski operations. Select openings remain. No reasonable offer refused if Skinnyski.com referenced.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

2" new snow overnight bringing 24 hour total of new snow to 5-6" and week total 8-10". The wind was ripping pretty good today so we waited until mid morning to groom. Despite the blizzard like conditions, the trails were surprisingly busy. Worked all the inner trails and Twin Lakes to the west and North Loup and Roy's Run to the north. Skaters Waltz focused on for skating. There was a crust layer from the rain and warm temps yesterday but grooming mixed everything up and provided a decent final product. Probably the most drifting we have seen this year but steady grooming leveled everything off. Cold temps back in place but wind has settled down and should have brilliant sunshine to make for great skiing on Saturday.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

4" of new snow today. We groomed around 100km today on 45km of trail while snow was falling. A period of light rain late afternoon and we stopped grooming as the snow was getting sticky. Cooling down this evening and snow falling again. Grooming plans: We will be back out in the morning grooming on 50km of trail. There is new dry snow to pull up and mix with the damp snow that should provide some great conditions as temp look to fall rapidly in the morning.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)