All posts by Jay Richards

Lapland Lodge

Fresh dusting of snow highlighting the recent siding, roofing and addition on the Lapland Lodge. March 24th, 2024.

The Lapland lodge is seeing a major remodel along with a new addition that will feature a full size kitchen and dining/living area. This lodge will be part of the available lodging at Maplelag and the Lapland will be available to rent year round starting early June of this year. More details to come!

Bike Trail Report

Bike trails open for frozen dirt ridin this weekend. Dusting of snow Thursday evening but most of it melting off from the strong sun by later day. Best time to ride 8am-10am and off by 11am before softening, especially if sunny. Please note there is no signage out other than the permanent signage. 

Significant snow possible Sunday-Tuesday. With cooler temps to remain in place, we will groom at least 8km of trail if we do receive snow. The groomed loop would most likely be the Twin Lakes Race Loop which bypasses the first half of Twin Lakes singletrack and instead uses the ski trail to access the Hudson’s Hula loop and back in on the bridge loop. Stay tuned…..!!!

Twin Lakes singletrack, March 22nd, 2024.
Frozen dirt riding on Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, March 19th, 2024.
Bullhead connector looking towards a ice covered Bullhead lake, March 19th, 2024.
Rock segment on Twin Lakes singletrack, March 19th, 2024.
Twin Lakes singletrack lakeside south Twin Lake, March 19th, 2024.

Ski Trail Report

Trails are now closed (mountain bike trails are open in the mornings this week for frozen dirt riding). Very light dusting of snow Thursday evening with much of it melting off from the strong March sun even though the air temps were in the upper 20’s on Friday. Chance for more accumulating snow Sunday and into early next week. If we do receive significant snow we will groom a few trails. Stay tuned! 

It has been an up and down “spring” so far with temperatures. We continue to freeze at nights which is slowing the drying process but certainly not unusual consider how snowy March typically is. Little Sugarbush lake still ice covered with 4-6″ of ice depth with not much open water on edge. Most ponds are still frozen over. 

The bike trails are open in the mornings this week for frozen dirt riding. Latest update on the 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!

Snow past 24 hours resting on a mostly ice covered Little Sugarbush lake, March 22nd, 2024.
Island Lake trail after very thin dusting of snow, March 22nd, 2024.
South Twin Lake completely froze over again after calm conditions and lower mid teens, March 21st, 2024.
Turkey tracks on the trail, March 21st, 2024.
South Twin, March 19th, 2024. Ice free on half of the lake. North Twin still full ice covered. 
Little Sugarbush lake early evening, March 18th, 2024. The lake Maplelag is next to around 94% ice covered. 
Pond near start and finish of Rootin Tootin trail, March 16th, 2024. Like the area lakes, still ice covered. 
Sauna firewood for next season. 
Harvested oak logs from storm blow down cut and ready to be hauled back for projects.
Sauna wood ready to split.

Ski Trail Report

Trails are now closed (mountain bike trails are open in the mornings this week for frozen dirt riding). Very light dusting of snow overnight. Chance for more accumulating snow Sunday and into early next week. If we do receive significant snow we will groom a few trails. Stay tuned!

It has been an up and down “spring” so far with temperatures. We continue to freeze at nights which is slowing the drying process but certainly not unusual consider how snowy March typically is. Little Sugarbush lake still ice covered with 4-6″ of ice depth with not much open water on edge. Most ponds are still frozen over. 

The bike trails are open in the mornings this week for frozen dirt riding. Latest update on the 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!

Snow past 24 hours resting on a mostly ice covered Little Sugarbush lake, March 22nd, 2024.
Island Lake trail after very thin dusting of snow, March 22nd, 2024.
South Twin Lake completely froze over again after calm conditions and lower mid teens, March 21st, 2024.
Turkey tracks on the trail, March 21st, 2024.
South Twin, March 19th, 2024. Ice free on half of the lake. North Twin still full ice covered. 
Little Sugarbush lake early evening, March 18th, 2024. The lake Maplelag is next to around 94% ice covered. 
Pond near start and finish of Rootin Tootin trail, March 16th, 2024. Like the area lakes, still ice covered. 
Sauna firewood for next season. 
Harvested oak logs from storm blow down cut and ready to be hauled back for projects.
Sauna wood ready to split.

Bike Trail Report

Bike trails open for frozen dirt ridin this weekend. Dusting of snow Thursday evening but most of it melting off from the strong sun by later day. Best time to ride 8am-10am and off by 11am before softening, especially if sunny. Please note there is no signage out other than the permanent signage. 

Significant snow possible Sunday-Tuesday. With cooler temps to remain in place, we will groom at least 8km of trail if we do receive snow. The groomed loop would most likely be the Twin Lakes Race Loop which bypasses the first half of Twin Lakes singletrack and instead uses the ski trail to access the Hudson’s Hula loop and back in on the bridge loop. Stay tuned…..!!!

Twin Lakes singletrack, March 22nd, 2024.
Frozen dirt riding on Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, March 19th, 2024.
Bullhead connector looking towards a ice covered Bullhead lake, March 19th, 2024.
Rock segment on Twin Lakes singletrack, March 19th, 2024.
Twin Lakes singletrack lakeside south Twin Lake, March 19th, 2024.