All posts by Jay Richards

Ski Trail Report

5km of ski trail open and groomed. A great day of skiing on Saturday. Not as warm as forecasted and thick clouds kept the base intact. We groomed the 5km loop we have been maintaining Saturday evening and will have this loop open on Sunday for a special Easter ski. The loop is fully covered, areas of thin cover and a few open spots but otherwise totally skiable. We will be out on the trail to enjoy and hope a few more folks can as well!

Best conditions will be in the morning until it softens up later in the day.

8km of fat bike trail open and groomed.  (Latest update on the Bike Trail Report.

We have been grooming daily on the same loop we groomed the end of season in February/March. Segments of Skaters Waltz and Sukkerbusk using the North Loup and Sap Run connectors to make a loop. Basically follow the grooming, ski either direction. 

Although this year was one of the lowest snow years to date on record, it was an opportunity to learn more about grooming, preparing the trails for winter and being prepared for future low snow years. For as long as we have been grooming, every year is different and what makes it interesting and enjoyable! 

Thank you to everyone that has visited us this past year from the overnight guests to the day users. We appreciate it very much! 

We will continue to update daily as we enjoy sharing what is happening on the trails, weather and nature. 

On a side note, the end of February and early March with low snow and frozen ground it has been favorable for cutting deadfall and windblown trees from storms and wind. Most of the woods we use for the wood fire stoves and campfires at Maplelag but bigger logs that have are not rotten we use for shelving, tables and other projects!

Really nice skate skiing on the groomed 5km loop Saturday morning, March 30th, 2024.

First ski for grand daughter Eira! March 30th, 2024.
Family ski mid day Saturday, March 30th, 2024.
Evening grooming Friday March 29th, 2024.
Friday afternoon ski, March 29th, 2024.
Striding through the “skinny field” on the groomed loop, March 29th, 2024.
Friday skiing on the groomed loop, March 29th, 2024.
Grooming at sunset, March 28th, 2024.
Patching up thin areas, March 28th, 2024.
Thursday morning skiing, March 28th, 2024.
Thursday morning skiing, March 28th, 2024.
Enjoying a rare late March classic ski on fresh dry cold snow, March 27th, 2024.
Enjoying a rare late March classic ski on fresh dry cold snow, March 27th, 2024.
Early evening groom, March 27th, 2024.
Early evening sunset groom, March 27th, 2024.
Combing out skate lane on Sukkerbusk segment that is also part of the 5km loop we have been grooming, March 27th, 2024.
Combing out skate lane on Sukkerbusk segment that is also part of the 5km loop we have been grooming, March 27th, 2024.
Rollpacking dusting of snow overnight first in the morning before using the Ginzu groomer, March 27th, 2024.
One of the many thousand of planted pines at Maplelag after last nights dusting. March 27th, 2024.
Late afternoon tracks! March 26th, 2024.
Grooming new snow on top of existing base mid day, Tuesday March 26th, 2024.
Grooming March 26th, 2024.
Heading out for a afternoon groom with the Ginzu groomer, March 25th, 2024.
Combing with Ginzu groomer on Skaters Waltz, March 25th, 2024.
Rollpacking on Sukkerbusk, March 25th, 2024.
Magical moonlight ski, March 25th, 2024.
Enjoying the fresh snow and last nights grooming, March 25th, 2024.
Rollpacking new snow through the Switchyard, March 24th, 2024.
Roll packing on Sukkerbusk, March 24th, 2024.

Fat Bike Trail Report

Bike trails open for fat biking. We have groomed around 8km of trail which consists of Loon Return to the bridge loop and continuing on the Twin Lakes “race loop”. Cooler weather then forecasted today with thick clouds keeping the snow intact today.

Riding should be good to go Saturday and Sunday mornings as well with forecasted freezing nights but plan to get out early and be off trail by 11am or so for best riding conditions, longer into day possible if cloudy. Watch for a few icy spots but overall nice riding on late season snow.

Smiles before the miles! Good reports from riders the past few days.
Friday morning riding, March 29th, 2024.
One of the few crusty/icy spots on the trail, March 29th, 2024. Overall the trail is riding good.
Rolling on the singletrack, March 29th, 2024.
Groomed fat bike trail late afternoon, March 27th, 2024.
Groomed fat bike trail late afternoon, March 27th, 2024.
Checking out the groomed fat bike trail, March 25th, 2024.
Monday grooming, March 25th, 2024.

Ski Trail Report

5km of ski trail open and groomed. Light snow falling Friday morning making for a silky glide on the groomed loop. Most recent grooming Thursday evening. No tracks set. 8km of fat bike trail open and groomed.  (Latest update on the Bike Trail Report.) The sun did melt out some snow on Thursday but the 5km loop is very skiable. Watch for areas of thin cover etc.

Best conditions will be in the morning until it softens up later in the day. There is a chance of snow this afternoon we would groom in the evening and will have the trail open for Saturday skiing. 

We have been grooming daily on the same loop we groomed the end of season in February/March. Segments of Skaters Waltz and Sukkerbusk using the North Loup and Sap Run connectors to make a loop. Basically follow the grooming, ski either direction. 

Although this year was one of the lowest snow years to date on record, it was an opportunity to learn more about grooming, preparing the trails for winter and being prepared for future low snow years. For as long as we have been grooming, every year is different and what makes it interesting and enjoyable! 

Thank you to everyone that has visited us this past year from the overnight guests to the day users. We appreciate it very much! 

We will continue to update daily as we enjoy sharing what is happening on the trails, weather and nature. 

On a side note, the end of February and early March with low snow and frozen ground it has been favorable for cutting deadfall and windblown trees from storms and wind. Most of the woods we use for the wood fire stoves and campfires at Maplelag but bigger logs that have are not rotten we use for shelving, tables and other projects!

Striding through the “skinny field” on the groomed loop, March 29th, 2024.
Friday skiing on the groomed loop, March 29th, 2024.
Grooming at sunset, March 28th, 2024.
Patching up thin areas, March 28th, 2024.
Thursday morning skiing, March 28th, 2024.
Thursday morning skiing, March 28th, 2024.
Enjoying a rare late March classic ski on fresh dry cold snow, March 27th, 2024.
Enjoying a rare late March classic ski on fresh dry cold snow, March 27th, 2024.
Early evening groom, March 27th, 2024.
Early evening sunset groom, March 27th, 2024.
Combing out skate lane on Sukkerbusk segment that is also part of the 5km loop we have been grooming, March 27th, 2024.
Combing out skate lane on Sukkerbusk segment that is also part of the 5km loop we have been grooming, March 27th, 2024.
Rollpacking dusting of snow overnight first in the morning before using the Ginzu groomer, March 27th, 2024.
One of the many thousand of planted pines at Maplelag after last nights dusting. March 27th, 2024.
Late afternoon tracks! March 26th, 2024.
Grooming new snow on top of existing base mid day, Tuesday March 26th, 2024.
Grooming March 26th, 2024.
Heading out for a afternoon groom with the Ginzu groomer, March 25th, 2024.
Combing with Ginzu groomer on Skaters Waltz, March 25th, 2024.
Rollpacking on Sukkerbusk, March 25th, 2024.
Magical moonlight ski, March 25th, 2024.
Enjoying the fresh snow and last nights grooming, March 25th, 2024.
Rollpacking new snow through the Switchyard, March 24th, 2024.
Roll packing on Sukkerbusk, March 24th, 2024.

Bike Trail Report

Bike trails open for fat biking. We have groomed around 8km of trail which consists of Loon Return to the bridge loop and continuing on the Twin Lakes “race loop” Best riding to be Thursday and Friday mornings. Expect a few soft spots but otherwise very nice end of season conditions. 

Sun was strong and melted some snow in the afternoon Thursday but should freeze down good tonight and be nice riding in the morning on Friday. Best to ride early morning and be off trail by 11am or so. If cloudy as forecasted on Friday, riding should extend a little later. Riding looks possible Saturday and Sunday mornings as well with forecasted freezing nights.

Great late season fat biking, Thursday March 28th, 2024.
Groomed fat bike trail late afternoon, March 27th, 2024.
Groomed fat bike trail late afternoon, March 27th, 2024.
Checking out the groomed fat bike trail, March 25th, 2024.
Monday grooming, March 25th, 2024.

Ski Trail Report

Beautiful morning with clear skies and sunshine! Morning low checking in at 3 degrees but warmed up fast to just above 32. The sun did eat out some snow but overall held out good on the groomed loop. Great seeing skiers and riders out today.

8km of ski trail open and groomed. 3.5km of trail tracked for classic (Sukkerbusk) 8km of fat bike trail open and groomed.  (Latest update on the Bike Trail Report.)

We groomed this evening on the 5km loop patching up as many thin areas as we could. No tracks set. Best conditions will be in the morning (skating or no track classic skiing) until it softens up later in the day. There is a chance of snow on Friday afternoon we would groom in the evening and hopeful for Saturday skiing.

We have been grooming daily on the same loop we groomed the end of season in February/March. Segments of Skaters Waltz and Sukkerbusk using the North Loup and Sap Run connectors to make a loop. Basically follow the grooming, ski either direction.

Although this year was one of the lowest snow years to date on record, it was an opportunity to learn more about grooming, preparing the trails for winter and being prepared for future low snow years. For as long as we have been grooming, every year is different and what makes it interesting and enjoyable! 

Thank you to everyone that has visited us this past year from the overnight guests to the day users. We appreciate it very much! 

We will continue to update daily as we enjoy sharing what is happening on the trails, weather and nature. 

On a side note, the end of February and early March with low snow and frozen ground it has been favorable for cutting deadfall and windblown trees from storms and wind. Most of the woods we use for the wood fire stoves and campfires at Maplelag but bigger logs that have are not rotten we use for shelving, tables and other projects!

Grooming at sunset, March 28th, 2024.
Patching up thin areas, March 28th, 2024.
Thursday morning skiing, March 28th, 2024.
Thursday morning skiing, March 28th, 2024.
Enjoying a rare late March classic ski on fresh dry cold snow, March 27th, 2024.
Enjoying a rare late March classic ski on fresh dry cold snow, March 27th, 2024.
Early evening groom, March 27th, 2024.
Early evening sunset groom, March 27th, 2024.
Combing out skate lane on Sukkerbusk segment that is also part of the 5km loop we have been grooming, March 27th, 2024.
Combing out skate lane on Sukkerbusk segment that is also part of the 5km loop we have been grooming, March 27th, 2024.
Rollpacking dusting of snow overnight first in the morning before using the Ginzu groomer, March 27th, 2024.
One of the many thousand of planted pines at Maplelag after last nights dusting. March 27th, 2024.
Late afternoon tracks! March 26th, 2024.
Grooming new snow on top of existing base mid day, Tuesday March 26th, 2024.
Grooming March 26th, 2024.
Heading out for a afternoon groom with the Ginzu groomer, March 25th, 2024.
Combing with Ginzu groomer on Skaters Waltz, March 25th, 2024.
Rollpacking on Sukkerbusk, March 25th, 2024.
Magical moonlight ski, March 25th, 2024.
Enjoying the fresh snow and last nights grooming, March 25th, 2024.
Rollpacking new snow through the Switchyard, March 24th, 2024.
Roll packing on Sukkerbusk, March 24th, 2024.