All posts by Jay Richards

Ski Trail

Ski Trail Report

Trails open.Very light dusting of snow overnight. Forest is flocked with snow and frost and the trails are skiing very nice. Today we tracked Roy’s Run after spending the past few days clearing deadfall and pushing back overhanging branches. Groomer’s choice is Sap Run for classic. Great day yesterday for the JV/JR High race. Nice job to all the skiers.

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 will be setting a track on the perimeter for classic.

Has been a nice start to the ski season with excellent conditions. Great seeing so many people out this year, thanks for purchase of day and season passes. 

Total snowfall this season at 38″. Compacted base on trail 5-10″. 

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)  

There are now services available Parking in the far lot with portable bathrooms. No lodging or meal service. 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. 

Fat bike trails will be groomed again this year, click here for latest report

Setting track on Roy’s Run, January 4th, 2023.
Roy’s Run, January 4th, 2023.
Combing patch on Bullhead lake, January 4th, 2022. We are grooming a path across to access the fat bike trails but made a loop on the north end (not tracked) for a option to ski on the lake after the big hill.
Shoreline frost, Bullhead lake, January 4th, 2023.
Warming up before the races,
Start of girls JV races, ski meet January 3rd, 2023.
Start of boys JV races, January 3rd, 2023.
Sap Run trail, January 3rd, 2023. Sap Run is groomer’s choice!
Setting new double track on Sukkerbusk, January 2nd, 2023.
Grooming the big hill down to Bullhead Lake, January 2nd, 2023.
Resertting singletrack on JibFly, January 2nd, 2023.
Setting double track with the Pisten Bully on Mother North Star, January 2nd, 2023.
Frosted tamarack trees along Mother North Star trail, January 1st, 2023.
Skaters Waltz extension, January 1st, 2023.
Heading out for a New Years Eve ski, December 31st, 2022.
Frosted high bush cranberries, December 31st, 2022.
Family ski on Island Lake trail, December 31st, 2022.
Frosty skiers greeting skiers today, December 30th, 2022.
Combing out the skate lane on North Loup, December 30th, 2022. North Loup keeps getting better after more grooming. 
Combing out the skate lane on Skaters Waltz, December 30th, 2022.
Front end renovator on the Pisten Bully mixing all the recent snow types to provide some fun skiing tracks, December 30th, 2022. Sap Run, Sukkerbusk, Poki Loki, Mother Hen have been Pisten Bully groomed. Next week we plan to PB groom JibFly and Mother North Star as well. 
Frosty tunnel on Sap Run, December 30th, 2022.
Bike Trail

Fat Bike Trail Report

The Twin Lakes Singletrack of the FatLagChilada loop is now open after multiple grooming sessions last week week. Deck is mostly firm, few soft spots but overall riding very nice. We are working on the rest of the course the remainder of this week.

The 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 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.

Bullhead lake is frozen for access across the lake. There is around 10-14″ of ice and folks have been riding across the lake. 

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 30km of groomed riding options.

New Years riders! January 2nd, 2023. (SW photo)
Frosty Twin Lakes, January 2nd, 2023. (CG photo)
Skaters ski trail, January 1st, 2023. Fat biking allowed on the skate trails when deck is firm. 
Twin Lakes Singletrack, December 31st, 2022.
Twin Lakes Singletrack, December 31st, 2022.
Keith the “Machine”after another grooming run on the fat bike trails, December 29th, 2022.
Ski Trail

Ski Trail Report

Trails open. Another incredible frosty morning, trees thick with rime frost. Forest is flocked with snow and frost and the trails are skiing very nice. Today we are hosting a Jr High/JV race. Racing will be in the morning and completed by 1pm. All other trails open for skiing. Today we will continue clearing deadfall and packing Roy’s Run and hope to have tracked by midweek. Very slow going with all the downed branches and overhanging brush.

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

Roy’s Run, Lucky’s Loype and Bullhead are snow covered, no grooming and open for bushwhacking.

Has been a nice start to the ski season with excellent conditions. Great seeing so many people out this year, thanks for purchase of day and season passes. 

Total snowfall this season at 38″. Compacted base on trail 5-10″. 

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)  

There are now services available Parking in the far lot with portable bathrooms. No lodging or meal service. 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. 

Fat bike trails will be groomed again this year, click here for latest report

Setting new double track on Sukkerbusk, January 2nd, 2023.
Grooming the big hill down to Bullhead Lake, January 2nd, 2023.
Resertting singletrack on JibFly, January 2nd, 2023.
Setting double track with the Pisten Bully on Mother North Star, January 2nd, 2023.
Frosted tamarack trees along Mother North Star trail, January 1st, 2023.
Skaters Waltz extension, January 1st, 2023.
Heading out for a New Years Eve ski, December 31st, 2022.
Frosted high bush cranberries, December 31st, 2022.
Family ski on Island Lake trail, December 31st, 2022.
Frosty skiers greeting skiers today, December 30th, 2022.
Combing out the skate lane on North Loup, December 30th, 2022. North Loup keeps getting better after more grooming. 
Combing out the skate lane on Skaters Waltz, December 30th, 2022.
Front end renovator on the Pisten Bully mixing all the recent snow types to provide some fun skiing tracks, December 30th, 2022. Sap Run, Sukkerbusk, Poki Loki, Mother Hen have been Pisten Bully groomed. Next week we plan to PB groom JibFly and Mother North Star as well. 
Frosty tunnel on Sap Run, December 30th, 2022.
Ski Trail

Ski Trail Report

Trails open. Forest is frosted beautifully and the trails are skiing very nice. Today we groomed select trails including Mother North Star and Sap Run which will be part of the low key Jr High/JV race on January 3rd. Racing will be in the morning. All other trails open for skiing. Today we also started packing Roy’s Run and hope to have tracked by midweek.

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

Roy’s Run, Lucky’s Loype and Bullhead are snow covered, no grooming and open for bushwhacking. Next week we will work on Roy’s Run, packing and tracking.

Has been a nice start to the ski season with good early season conditions. Great seeing so many people out so far this year, thanks for purchase of day and season passes. 

Total snowfall this season at 38″. Compacted base on trail 5-10″. 

Winter operating plans include to operate for day skiing on the the ski, snowshoe and fat bike trails. 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)  

Similar to the COVID season, there will be no services available. Parking in the far lot with portable bathrooms. No lodging or meal service. The Brant cabin available as a warming area with restrooms and sitting area and tables. 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. 

Fat bike trails will be groomed again this year, click here for latest report

Setting new double track on Sukkerbusk, January 2nd, 2023.
Grooming the big hill down to Bullhead Lake, January 2nd, 2023.
Resertting singletrack on JibFly, January 2nd, 2023.
Setting double track with the Pisten Bully on Mother North Star, January 2nd, 2023.
Frosted tamarack trees along Mother North Star trail, January 1st, 2023.
Skaters Waltz extension, January 1st, 2023.
Heading out for a New Years Eve ski, December 31st, 2022.
Frosted high bush cranberries, December 31st, 2022.
Family ski on Island Lake trail, December 31st, 2022.
Frosty skiers greeting skiers today, December 30th, 2022.
Combing out the skate lane on North Loup, December 30th, 2022. North Loup keeps getting better after more grooming. 
Combing out the skate lane on Skaters Waltz, December 30th, 2022.
Front end renovator on the Pisten Bully mixing all the recent snow types to provide some fun skiing tracks, December 30th, 2022. Sap Run, Sukkerbusk, Poki Loki, Mother Hen have been Pisten Bully groomed. Next week we plan to PB groom JibFly and Mother North Star as well. 
Frosty tunnel on Sap Run, December 30th, 2022.
Striding through Mac’s Mess on Island Lake trail, December 30th, 2022. Island Lake trail is groomer’s choice! One of the best skiing classic trails right now. 
Finishing up a run on North Loup, December 30th, 2022. Track on North Loup skiing well and reports from skaters skating have been good as well. 
Tracking Island Lake trail the first time this year, December 29th, 2022.
Ski Trail

Ski Trail Report

Happy New Year!! Fantastic conditions to kick off the New Year. Forest is frosted beautifully and the trails are skiing very nice. Groomer’s choice today is North Loup for both skate and classic skiing.

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

Roy’s Run, Lucky’s Loype and Bullhead are snow covered, no grooming and open for bushwhacking. Next week we will work on Roy’s Run, packing and tracking.

Has been a nice start to the ski season with good early season conditions. Great seeing so many people out so far this year, thanks for purchase of day and season passes. 

Total snowfall this season at 38″. Compacted base on trail 5-10″. 

Winter operating plans include to operate for day skiing on the the ski, snowshoe and fat bike trails. 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)  

Similar to the COVID season, there will be no services available. Parking in the far lot with portable bathrooms. No lodging or meal service. The Brant cabin available as a warming area with restrooms and sitting area and tables. 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. 

Fat bike trails will be groomed again this year, click here for latest report

Heading out for a New Years Eve ski, December 31st, 2022.
Frosted high bush cranberries, December 31st, 2022.
Family ski on Island Lake trail, December 31st, 2022.
Frosty skiers greeting skiers today, December 30th, 2022.
Combing out the skate lane on North Loup, December 30th, 2022. North Loup keeps getting better after more grooming. 
Combing out the skate lane on Skaters Waltz, December 30th, 2022.
Front end renovator on the Pisten Bully mixing all the recent snow types to provide some fun skiing tracks, December 30th, 2022. Sap Run, Sukkerbusk, Poki Loki, Mother Hen have been Pisten Bully groomed. Next week we plan to PB groom JibFly and Mother North Star as well. 
Frosty tunnel on Sap Run, December 30th, 2022.
Striding through Mac’s Mess on Island Lake trail, December 30th, 2022. Island Lake trail is groomer’s choice! One of the best skiing classic trails right now. 
Finishing up a run on North Loup, December 30th, 2022. Track on North Loup skiing well and reports from skaters skating have been good as well. 
Tracking Island Lake trail the first time this year, December 29th, 2022.