All posts by Jay Richards

Ski Trail Report

February 21, 2023 Jay Richards

Trails are open. 5-6″ of new snow on Monday. Today we groomed the entire trail system and plan to do the same again Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Beautiful Presidents day of skiing capping off a fun weekend with a great variety of conditions.

Lot of animals on the move and tons of tracks everywhere, especially on the inner trails. Eagles, grouse, porcupines, fox and pileated woodpeckers some of the wildlife sighted….keep your eyes open!

Trails groomed for classic and open include Sap Run, Mother Hen, JibFly, Loon Return, Sukkerbusk, Mother North Star, Rootin Tootin, North Loup, Roy’s Run, Island Lake, Wavy Gravy and Twin Lakes. For skating Skaters Waltz, the extension loops, Single Green, Kristin’s Cutoff and North Loup.

Lucky’s Loype and Bullhead trail are snow covered, no grooming and open for bushwhacking. We have packed a loop on Bullhead lake and set a track on the perimeter for classic.

Fat bike trails are open, click here for latest report

Has been a incredible ski season so far. Great seeing so many people out this year, thanks for purchase of day and season passes.

Total snowfall this season at 45″. Compacted base on trail 6-11″.

Trails will be open every day there is skiable snow including all Holidays and weekends. There is no ski rental at Maplelag. MN Tru North in Perham MN is offering ski rental 218-346-5253

(Trail maps posted here)

The Brant cabin available as a warming area with restrooms and sitting area and tables, parking available across from Brant cabin as well. There are no ski rentals available.

Ski trail season passes can be purchased on our website. (scroll down to bottom of page) Purchasing season pass helps with operating and maintenance costs to prepare the trails, equipment repairs to the grooming equipment and property taxes. Thank you.

Grooming on Skaters Waltz extension, February 21st, 2023.

Enjoying the fresh groomed on Sukkerbusk, February 20th, 2023.

Front end renovator in action on the Pisten Bully groomer, mixing the new snow with the transformed snow below, February 20th, 2023.

Striding on Sukkebusk, February 19th, 2023.

Family ski on Wavy Gravy, February 19th, 2023.

Renovating and resetting track on Sukkebusk, February 18th, 2023.

Evening groom on Wavy Gravy, February 18th, 2023.

News

February 21st Post Fire Update

February 21, 2023 Jay Richards

View of the lodge site after phase one debris removal.

Recently we completed phase 1 of the debris removal and clean up from the fire on October 10th, 2022 that destroyed the main lodge at Maplelag. Thanks to all of the large excavating crew members. We were very fortunate to have had such good weather which allowed us to get to this point. We also want to thank the crews for their flexibility so we could host the ski meets this ski season. In the spring/summer we will continue with phase 2 of the clean up.

All the debris was taken to four different sites where we salvaged and recycled as much as we could. The excavating, combined with the fire fighting expenses was something we were not prepared for.

Framed poster from the 2009 MN State Championship Series that was amazing not destroyed in the fire. We will once again be a host site for the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series in 2023.

We continue to have many conversations, processing thoughts and ideas as we search for clarity and direction on the next steps of Maplelag. The cost is something we have to deeply consider in our rebuilding process. We want to make it clear that we are not asking for any donations to move forward. Since day one, we have taken pride in being a family owned and operating resort with no outside ownership. With that said, we are very grateful and humbled by all of those that have given so generously.

Moving forward we want to be certain the decisions we make are the right ones for our health, well being and future success of Maplelag. To be honest and transparent, the fear of going through this again, is very real and something we are working through every day. As many of our family of guests would understand, the lodge was an extension of our home, business and everyday life. And that is gone. It has only been four months and we are not ready to make any decisions. We need to take our time, research, and rebuild ourselves before we commit to rebuilding a new lodge. We will continue to keep updating our website with the latest plans.

Start area Section 8 Nordic Ski Championships

Last week, we hosted the Section 8 Nordic Ski Championships. This years section meet was extra special, as it gave us something to look forward to. We have forged many relationships with coaches, staff and volunteers that have been involved for decades. The Section 8 community is a very special one and we are grateful to be a part of it.

Great having Wood Fire Pizza of DL preparing fresh wood fired pizzas for skiers and spectators adding to the festive and energetic atmosphere. Be sure to look for them this summer in the Detroit Lakes area and hopefully for the Laddies Loppet mountain bike race weekend!

Ski Trail

Ski Trail Report

February 20, 2023 Jay Richards

Trails are open. Presidents Day Powder!! 2-3″ of new snow overnight and snow continuing today. Up to 6″ possible. Grooming planed later morning on Sukkebusk, JibFly and Sap Run. Firm base underneath the new snow should make for fun skiing today.

Lot of animals on the move and tons of tracks everywhere, especially on the inner trails. Eagles, grouse, porcupines, fox and pileated woodpeckers some of the wildlife sighted….keep your eyes open!

Lucky’s Loype and Bullhead trail are snow covered, no grooming and open for bushwhacking. We have packed a loop on Bullhead lake and set a track on the perimeter for classic.

Fat bike trails are open, click here for latest report

Has been a incredible ski season so far. Great seeing so many people out this year, thanks for purchase of day and season passes.

Total snowfall this season at 45″. Compacted base on trail 6-11″.

Trails will be open every day there is skiable snow including all Holidays and weekends. There is no ski rental at Maplelag. MN Tru North in Perham MN is offering ski rental 218-346-5253

(Trail maps posted here)

The Brant cabin available as a warming area with restrooms and sitting area and tables, parking available across from Brant cabin as well. There are no ski rentals available.

Cutting new track on JibFly, February 17th, 2023.

Bike Trail

Fat Bike Trail Report

February 19, 2023 Jay Richards

Trails are open. Cooler weather in place for today should make for nice riding all day. Saturday afternoon when the snow was soft we groomed Bootleg and the inner singletrack, flattening the deck and rutted areas. The entire FatLagChilada loop was groomed Wednesday morning after a dusting of new snow.

The entire FatLagChilada loop consists of Skaters Waltz starting to the right, the main singletrack loops Bullhead Bootleg, Twin Lakes and Sukkerwest. We also have groomed select segments in between to make the “FatLagChilada” loop. The above loops can be ridden separately. To access the inner loops, go to the start of Skaters Waltz and veer right. There are orange signs from that point and at key intersections where to turn to make the full loop. Please only ride on the designated areas for fat biking.

The Maplelag driveway is a good feeder to access Sukkerwest, Bjorps across from Sukkerwest which leads into North Star and crosses the road again to Twin Lakes.

With the hardpack conditions on the ski trails, the skate loops Skaters Waltz, the extension loops and North Loup are open for riding making for around 35km of groomed riding options.

Grooming lakeside on Bootleg singletrack, February 18th, 2023.

Fat bike trail grooming, February 18th, 2023.

Rolling through Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, February 17th, 2023.

Climbing the big hill from Bullhead Lake, February 17th, 2023.

Ski Trail

Ski Trail Report

February 19, 2023 Jay Richards

Trails are open. Cooler weather on tap today with temps falling during the day which will make for more consistent conditions and a bit harder and faster skiing compared to Saturday. Saturday evening we groomed all the inner skate trails and set new track on Sap Run, Sukkerbusk, JibFly, and Wavy Gravy. These trails groomed will be top picks for Sunday and bit more softer and forgiving snow. Watch for changing conditions on every trail. Might be a few more glazed/icy sections on the south facing

Lot of animals on the move and tons of tracks everywhere, especially on the inner trails. Eagles, grouse, porcupines, fox and pileated woodpeckers some of the wildlife sighted….keep your eyes open!

Lucky’s Loype and Bullhead trail are snow covered, no grooming and open for bushwhacking. We have packed a loop on Bullhead lake and set a track on the perimeter for classic.

Fat bike trails are open, click here for latest report

Has been a incredible ski season so far. Great seeing so many people out this year, thanks for purchase of day and season passes.

Total snowfall this season at 45″. Compacted base on trail 6-11″.

Trails will be open every day there is skiable snow including all Holidays and weekends. There is no ski rental at Maplelag. MN Tru North in Perham MN is offering ski rental 218-346-5253

(Trail maps posted here)

The Brant cabin available as a warming area with restrooms and sitting area and tables, parking available across from Brant cabin as well. There are no ski rentals available.