All posts by Jay Richards

Fat Bike Trail Report


Fat Bike Trails are open. Today the trail will be open all day.
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 very 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.

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.

Typical section on Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, mix of crusty snow and ice patches, February 21st, 2024.

Ski Trail Report

Colder weather back in place with a few flakes of snow this morning. Should be below freezing all day. The snow has all but melted off on the ski trails. A few icy spots here and there.

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 12 noon. 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.

Sunshine and smiles in the skinny field, 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 Report

Foggy start to the day with another hard freeze overnight. Warm weather the past few days has melted out more of the base that remains.

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 12 noon. 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.

Sunshine and smiles in the skinny field, February 19th, 2024.
Skaters Waltz segment on the loop we groomed most recently, February 19th, 2024.
Ribbon of white….Just Ski! February 19th, 2024.

Fat Bike Trail Report

Fat Bike Trails are open from 8am-12noon this week and will be open all day on Friday. Keep in mind with a gradual melt freeze, more icy spots may develop, use extra caution. If you have studded tires, those are recommended. If not, run a little lower pressure and plan to ride on edges in spots. The trail is also slowly melting out in spots and ground is frozen dirt segments as well. The entire FatLagChilada loop is rideable and open. The ice on Bullhead lake crossing remains 10-12″ and solid on the edges making access to Bullhead Bootleg loop possible

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.

Typical section on Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, mix of crusty snow and ice patches, February 21st, 2024.
Rolling across Bullhead lake, February 21st, 2024.
Snow covered segment on Twin Lakes singletrack, February 20th, 2024.
Moorhead rock garden filled in with crusty snow making it a bit more manageable, February 20th, 2024.
Out for a Presidents Day ride, February 19th, 2024.
Sunday riding, February 18th, 2024.
Rolling through on Bullhead Bootleg, February 18th, 2024.

Fat Bike Trail Report

Fat Bike Trails are open from 8am-12noon provided it freezes at night. Looking at the forecast, temperatures look favorable for continued riding this week and all day riding on Friday. Keep in mind with a gradual melt freeze, more icy spots may develop, use extra caution. If you have studded tires, those are recommended. If not, run a little lower pressure and plan to ride on edges in spots. The trail is also slowly melting out in spots and ground is frozen dirt segments as well. The entire FatLagChilada loop is rideable and open. The ice on Bullhead lake crossing remains 10-12″ and solid on the edges making access to Bullhead Bootleg loop possible

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.

Snow covered segment on Twin Lakes singletrack, February 20th, 2024.
Moorhead rock garden filled in with crusty snow making it a bit more manageable, February 20th, 2024.
Out for a Presidents Day ride, February 19th, 2024.
Sunday riding, February 18th, 2024.
Rolling through on Bullhead Bootleg, February 18th, 2024.