The massive Christmas storm has finally exited. We started out with snow on Christmas Eve which provided skiing opportunities that evening and Christmas Day (photo 1 and 2) before the precipitation turned to rain and wiped out the little snow there was. The ice storm was farther west in the Red River Valley sparing extensive branch/limb damage. Nearly 2" of rain fell out of this system before briefly turning over to snow last night which scantily covered the trails this morning (photo 3 and 4). We are hanging on to the deep frost which is good and a good freeze tonight should set up the surface moisture. Like everyone else relying on natural snow, the wait continues...

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

We had a fun end of the week skiing on the snow farm loop. Nice work to the folks out cranking big time laps. Jake and I were out early afternoon today, foggy conditions and temps just above freezing softened up the deck but the trail held out fine and was good rock skiing, all things considered. With warmer temps moving in we will be closing the loop down mid morning tomorrow. Thanks to the teams and ski camp alumni that came to Maplelag this past week despite the lack of skiing opportunities. Fingers crossed the next weather system is white!

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Although the trails are closed to skiing, we are keeping the 400 meter natural organic snow farmed loop open. A few local skiers have been making laps and we continue to patch up thin areas and Ginzu groom as possible. Latest grooming was this evening. No tracks set. Very thin, bumpy base. Some icy spots but skiable. Best to ski clockwise. Best skiing is mid to late morning and mid afternoon to dusk. I skied at dusk today and thought today was the best skiing since the weekend. Teams here for ski camp are hiking and running on the western trails and skating on the lake. Grooming plans: We plan to haul in another load or two in the morning and groom it out. We hope to keep the loop open as long as we can, weather permitting.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

We picked up a very thin dusting of snow the past 24 hours. Groomed a couple segments and the snow farm last night and this afternoon after another load of snow to the loop. Skied the loop at sunset and was skiable. Still some icy spots, washed out push offs but the little bit of snow and structure slightly improved the conditions and was better than not skiing. We need 2-3" of snow before we can officially open the trails. With the current coverage it won't take much!

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

After transporting a couple more loads of snow to our "hamster cage" loop early this morning, I went out on the other early season trails to check coverage after warm wind yesterday. The trails skied were still hanging on -- yes some thin and bare spots but overall was better than expected. We've had off an on drizzle today and hopeful for colder temps and snow tonight. Grooming plans: If the base freezes down and we pick up any new snow, we plan to groom 2-3km of trail in the morning.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

We've enjoyed early season skiing conditions this week on a thin base after 3" of snow early Saturday morning that was groomed out on 10km of trail. Thanks to cold nights that have seen single digits for lows the snow we have is hanging on. We have been grooming daily, focusing our efforts on a short loop we have been farming snow on. We have also groomed a small loop on the lake where the coverage is good that skied nice this evening. Grooming plans: We will continue working on these loops and have open for skiing. Please ski in the mornings the next few days with warmer temperatures forecasted in the afternoon.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Skied both skate and classic this morning. Did all of Skaters Waltz and the big hill down to Bullhead lake. Base is very thin but just enough to make it skiable with plenty of good sections. Flicked most of the sticks on the trails so it was a meaningful ski. After skating met up with son Jon and no tracked classic skied the groomed Sukkerbusk and non groomed Sap Run. Classic wasn't as good as skating I thought but a beautiful day in the forest and great to be out just skiing. Grooming plans: We will be snow farming and grooming on a 300 meter loop tomorrow then focusing on the better segments on the east side which is a 2km loop in preparation of forecasted warm weather end of next week.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

We had 3" of new snow as of 1pm. After 2" had fallen this morning, groomed around 10km of trail using the roll compactor. After another 1" had fallen, combed 5km of the 10km with the Ginzu groomer. Skied the trails I groomed after they had a chance to firm up and found really nice conditions for such little snow. Both the only roll compacted trails and Ginzu trails skied nice. Ginzu trails obviously bit more firm. Grooming plans: We will be back out grooming the entire Skaters Waltz this afternoon. The trails groomed this morning will be open on Sunday, which include all of Sukkerbusk and Skaters Waltz east segments using the Sap Run and Skinny Field connectors to make a loop. Recommended for experienced skiers with adventure at heart. Yes, there are rough spots and base is very thin, especially in the open areas at the start, but it's skiing on organic snow! Just Ski!

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Snuck in one more ski this morning before closing the gates. Probably the best day skiing so far out of this early season run. A clear cold night down to 18F degrees froze the groomed base down hard. The trails not groomed skied good as well. Fun to see a few other folks out yesterday, thanks for coming out! The trails are now closed in respect of local landowners that deer hunt. We plan to open the trails Thanksgiving week for skiing and fat biking, weather permitting.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Happy Halloween! Always a treat to groom and ski in October. There were no tricks today! Just a nice covering of dry powder on top of a frozen surface and partially frozen ground. With warm temps in the coming days only groomed around 3km with the early season low snow equipment on the early season low snow trail segments. We have been putting a little extra time on the early season trails this year and today paid off. Skied about 5-6 hours after grooming, which allowed the deck to set up thanks to low dew points, mid 20 temps and partial clearing. Skiing was some of the best October groomed skiing I've ever experienced. Wow. The trails will be open just tomorrow (Nov 1st) for any eager early season skiers then closing at dusk for the upcoming MN firearm season. We plan to open again Thanksgiving week for skiing and fat biking! Think snow and cold!

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)