All posts by Jay Richards

Fat Bike Trail Report

Happy New Year! The Twin Lakes Singletrack of the FatLagChilada loop is now open after multiple grooming sessions this past week. Deck is mostly firm, few soft spots. We will work on the remainder of the course the next few weeks.

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.

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.
Fresh groomed trail, December 29th, 2022. Conditions still a bit soft
Fresh fat bike grooming, December 28th, 2022. Will need a few more passes and rider traffic to set up and have rideable conditions.

Fat Bike Trail Report

We have been grooming on the Twin Lakes Singletrack loop this week and it is open for riding. Soft conditions in a few areas but rideable. We will work on the inner singletrack and Bootleg next few weeks to complete the FatLagChilada.

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.

Keith the “Machine”after another grooming run on the fat bike trails, December 29th, 2022.
Fresh groomed trail, December 29th, 2022. Conditions still a bit soft
Fresh fat bike grooming, December 28th, 2022. Will need a few more passes and rider traffic to set up and have rideable conditions.

Ski Trail Report

Happy New Years Eve! Trails open. Couldn’t ask for better conditions for the last day of 2022. Very picturesque winter scenes with thick frost and snow covered trees. Skiing being reported as “Heavenly”. Dusting of new snow the past 24 hours. Groomers choice today for classic is Island Lake. All skate trails skiing nice, extension loops get top choice for skating.

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

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.
“Mac’s Mess”. Both Island and Wavy Gravy trails pass through here. Top water has frozen down and skiable all way through! December 28th, 2022.
North Loup groomed with both track and skate deck, December 28th, 2022.
Keith coming in from a fat bike groom.
Pisten Bully in action setting double track on Sap Run and Mother Hen today, December 28th, 2022.
Loon Return tracking, December 27th, 2022.
Breaking trail through Double Green trail, December 24th, 2022.
Skinny field on Sukkerbusk, December 24th, 2022.
Winter scene through the square filed, December 24th, 2022.

Fat Bike Trail Report

We have been grooming on the Twin Lakes Singletrack loop the end of this week and will be out today for another run to have rideable conditions by the weekend.

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.

Keith the “Machine”after another grooming run on the fat bike trails, December 29th, 2022.
Fresh groomed trail, December 29th, 2022. Conditions still a bit soft
Fresh fat bike grooming, December 28th, 2022. Will need a few more passes and rider traffic to set up and have rideable conditions.

Ski Trail Report

Trails are open. Very picturesque morning with frost and snow covered trees. Welcomed cooler temps today helping tighten up the snow and deck. We have been grooming daily on some portion of the trail system. Great conditions with lots of snow. Snow skiing silky smooth albeit a bit soft. A few more sticks than usual after last weeks storm and wind events but nothing to prevent great skiing. We are constantly clearing and cleaning to have the best conditions possible. 

Classic only trails recently groomed include Sap Run, Mother Hen, JibFly, Loon Return, Sukkerbusk, Mother North Star, Rootin Tootin, North Loup, Island Lake, Wavy Gravy and Twin Lakes. We have set only one track, setting best line to avoid over hanging branches etc. For skating we have Skaters Waltz, the extension loops, Single Green, Kristin’s Cutoff and North Loup. Expect soft conditions skating, best trail to skate is Skaters Waltz.

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

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.
“Mac’s Mess”. Both Island and Wavy Gravy trails pass through here. Top water has frozen down and skiable all way through! December 28th, 2022.
North Loup groomed with both track and skate deck, December 28th, 2022.
Keith coming in from a fat bike groom.
Pisten Bully in action setting double track on Sap Run and Mother Hen today, December 28th, 2022.
Setting track on Wavy Gravy, December 28th, 2022. We were able to get through “Macs Mess” in good shape. A little top water should freeze down tonight.
Skate grooming on Single green trail, December 28th, 2022.
Setting fresh track on Twin Lakes, December 27th, 2022.
Twin Lakes, December 27th, 2022.
Loon Return tracking, December 27th, 2022.
The big hill to Bullhead, December 27th, 2022. New name being announced soon! 
Setting fresh track on Sap Run, December 26th, 2022.
Setting fresh track on Mother North Star, December 26th, 2022.
Breaking trail through Double Green trail, December 24th, 2022.
Skinny field on Sukkerbusk, December 24th, 2022.
Winter scene through the square filed, December 24th, 2022.