All posts by Jay Richards

Ski Trail

Ski Trail Report

A dusting of snow early Sunday morning has now melted off except on the north facing segments that remained covered with a ice/crust base. Looks to be quite warm today before a system moves with with chances of snow. Hard to believe 24 hours from now it could be 30 degrees colder and snowing! We are prepared to groom if any snowfall over 2″. Although the forecast looks warmer later in the week, we would focus on 5km of trail to try and have a few days skiing at least.

The trails are now closed until snow and colder weather returns.Looking at the forecast, it doesn’t look promising. However we continue to keep optimistic that things can change quick this time of year. If we do receive enough snow to groom and conditions are right with temperatures and frozen ground, we will groom and try to open the trails for skiing. In El Niño years of past, sometimes our snowiest months have been March and April! 

The Fat Bike trail remains open in the mornings provided it freezes hard at night to be able to ride on frozen ground. The frost is still set in so when it warms up, it gets very muddy.  Latest update on the Fat Bike Trail Report.

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, this winter with low snow and frozen ground 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!

Wavy Gravy trail late afternoon, February 25th, 2024.
Morning scene from the Sap Run webcam after a very light dusting of snow this morning, February 25th, 2024.

Cutting up blow downs for firewood and future projects in the cabins and lodges! February 20th, 2024.

Enjoying one more ski on Presidents day, February 19th, 2024.
Skaters Waltz segment on the loop we groomed most recently, February 19th, 2024.
Ribbon of white….Just Ski! February 19th, 2024.
Ski Trail

Ski Trail Report

A light dusting of snow early this morning brightening the landscape.

The trails are now closed until snow and colder weather returns. Looking at the forecast, it doesn’t look promising. However we continue to keep optimistic that things can change quick this time of year. If we do receive enough snow to groom and conditions are right with temperatures and frozen ground, we will groom and try to open the trails for skiing. In El Niño years of past, sometimes our snowiest months have been March and April! 

The Fat Bike trail remains open in the mornings provided it freezes hard at night to be able to ride on frozen ground. The frost is still set in so when it warms up, it gets very muddy.  Latest update on the Fat Bike Trail Report.

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, this winter with low snow and frozen ground 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!

Morning scene from the Sap Run webcam after a very light dusting of snow this morning, February 25th, 2024.

Cutting up blow downs for firewood and future projects in the cabins and lodges! February 20th, 2024.

Enjoying one more ski on Presidents day, February 19th, 2024.
Skaters Waltz segment on the loop we groomed most recently, February 19th, 2024.
Ribbon of white….Just Ski! February 19th, 2024.
Bike Trail

Bike Trail Report

Bike Trails are open from sunrise to 10am today. A surprise dusting of snow early this morning before it froze down with have the trails a bit softer compared to the last few mornings. 

If you have studded tires, those are recommended for the icy areas. If not, run a little lower pressure and plan to ride on edges in spots. The trail is a combination of frozen dirt/crust/ice surface but rideable. The ice on Bullhead lake crossing remains 10-12″ and solid on the edges making access to Bullhead Bootleg loop possible but after this weekend, not recommended. Access to Bullhead Bootleg also possible via the Goat Ranch rd and hi way. 

The Inner East loops starts on Skaters Waltz to the right and follows along the side dipping into singletrack before going across Bullhead lake to access the Bootleg singletrack loop. Back across the lake to skaters waltz and more singletrack before crossing the road and left in to Maplelag. Signs are out marking the Fat Bike trail and the “FatLagChilada” loop which is all the groomed fat bike trails. The west or Twin Lakes loop can be accessed from the Maplelag driveway including the Sukkerwest loop which is at the end of the Maplelag driveway.

Lakeside singletrack, February 23rd, 2024.
Rolling on the frozen moss, February 23rd, 2024. Looks like late April early May!
Pete’s Porkie on Twin Lakes singletrack, February 23rd, 2024. One of the few snow/crust covered segments. 
Twin Lakes rock garden, February 23rd, 2024.
Ski Trail

Ski Trail Report

The trails are now closed until snow and colder weather returns. Looking at the forecast, it doesn’t look promising. However we continue to keep optimistic that things can change quick this time of year. If we do receive enough snow to groom and conditions are right with temperatures and frozen ground, we will groom and try to open the trails for skiing. In El Niño years of past, sometimes our snowiest months have been March and April! 

The Fat Bike trail remains open from 8am to 11am. Latest update on the Fat Bike Trail Report.

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, this winter with low snow and frozen ground 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!

Cutting up blow downs for firewood and future projects in the cabins and lodges! February 20th, 2024.

Enjoying one more ski on Presidents day, February 19th, 2024.
Skaters Waltz segment on the loop we groomed most recently, February 19th, 2024.
Ribbon of white….Just Ski! February 19th, 2024.
Bike Trail

Bike Trail Report

Fat Bike Trails are open from sunrise to 11am today. Good hard freeze overnight with temps in the low teens. With most of the snow melting off, all the trail segments are open to riding. We will keep the trail open on the weekend with forecasted freezing temperatures at night but best to plan riding early in the morning and preferable to be off trail by 11am before it softens up.

If you have studded tires, those are recommended for the icy areas. If not, run a little lower pressure and plan to ride on edges in spots. The trail is a combination of frozen dirt/crust/ice surface but rideable. The ice on Bullhead lake crossing remains 10-12″ and solid on the edges making access to Bullhead Bootleg loop possible but after this weekend, not recommended. Access to Bullhead Bootleg also possible via the Goat Ranch rd and hi way.

The Inner East loops starts on Skaters Waltz to the right and follows along the side dipping into singletrack before going across Bullhead lake to access the Bootleg singletrack loop. Back across the lake to skaters waltz and more singletrack before crossing the road and left in to Maplelag. Signs are out marking the Fat Bike trail and the “FatLagChilada” loop which is all the groomed fat bike trails. The west or Twin Lakes loop can be accessed from the Maplelag driveway including the Sukkerwest loop which is at the end of the Maplelag driveway.

Lakeside singletrack, February 23rd, 2024.
Rolling on the frozen moss, February 23rd, 2024. Looks like late April early May!
Pete’s Porkie on Twin Lakes singletrack, February 23rd, 2024. One of the few snow/crust covered segments.
Twin Lakes rock garden, February 23rd, 2024.