All posts by Jay Richards

Trail Report

Very good to excellent conditions. Nice refresh on Saturday with a shot of fresh snow. Most of the trail systems has been groomed the past 48 hours. This morning we groomed all the skate trails and than in afternoon groomed Sukkerbusk and Twin Lakes setting new tracks.

Be sure to look for porcupines off Mother North Star and Roy’s Run trails, about 1/3rd the way in on both trails. Lots of other tracks including deer, wolf, coyote, pine marten, fox, and beaver to name a few. Also look for the new and active eagle nest at the start of Island Lake trail. You can also see the nest at the top of “eagle view” at the top of the last downhill on Twin Lakes trail. Many birds also to keep an eye for including the swooping pileated woodpecker.

Trails are open for day use. All day and season passes for non overnight guests must be purchased online through the website. (click here)

Note: Please do not snowshoe or walk on ski or fat bike trails. Thank you! We have designated snowshoe trails for snowshoeing and walking. We take pride in having as “clean” as possible ski and fat bike trails.

Select singletrack loops groomed for fat biking totaling 25km. Report on the Fat Bike trail report.


Lotvola Cup is Back! Click here for more details.

We will be hosting a high school race Thursday, January 28th in the morning. It will be a classic race on Sap Run, Sukkerbusk and Twin Lakes. All other trails will be open. Racing will be completed by 1:30.

All day and season passes for non overnight guests must be purchased online through the website.(click here) Parking in first parking lot as you enter Maplelag. Click here for trail map. There are no services in the main lodge. No ski rental available at this time.

Grooming Update: Entire groomed trail system groomed Thursday and Friday. Select trails being groomed daily.

Trails groomed for double track include Sap Run, Sukkerbusk, Twin Lakes, JibFly, Rootin Tootin, Mother North Star and Mother Hen.

Trails groomed for singletrack classic skiing include Wavy Gravy, Island Lake, and Roy’s Run. North Loup now groomed with track on side of skate lane.

Skate trails groomed include Skaters Waltz, Suicide Hill, Single Green, Krisitin’s Kutoff, Skaters Extension and North Loup.

Adventure trails: First part of Bullhead and Lucky’s are not machine groomed and are “adventure” ski trails with skier made track. Bootleg extension is now groomed. The north end is rough and probably best to take skis off and walk through. The first part of Bullhead remains an adventure trail. To access the Bootleg loop without skiing the adventure part, one can ski the last part of Bullhead to the extension, ski the extension loop than back out on Bullhead trail.

Please no snowshoeing or walking on ski and fat bike trails.

Total new snowfall past 24 hours at 1″. Snowfall past 24 days around 21″. Total snowfall on season 34″ (since October 14th) Compacted base on trail 4-8″.

Snowshoe trail is open for snowshoeing. Please no hiking or walking on the ski trails!

First part of Bullhead Lake and Lucky’s Loype that traverse on AMA land not groomed. Use caution as unmarked obstacles etc. may exist. Not recommended to ski, assume all risk.

Trails are open for day use. All day and season passes for non overnight guests must be purchased online through the website. (click here)

Please no snowshoeing or walking on ski and fat bike trails.

Please note the lodge will be closed to day skiers as a result of COVID-19 precautions. This includes no ski rental availability. If you do enter the lodge, please follow signs for entering and exiting. Restrooms located downstairs. Porta bathrooms in far parking lot. Please help keep Maplelag open by limiting inside use.

Cutting fresh double track on Twin Lakes, January 25th, 2021.
Resetting track on Sap Run, January 24th, 2021.
Grooming on Skaters Waltz, January 24th, 2021.
Setting track through “Mac’s Mess”, Wavy Gravy trail, January 24th, 2021.
Sunday Funday on north side of Mount Maplelag! January 24th, 2021.
Saturday night groom under the solar lights on Sap Run, January 23rd, 2021.
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Morning grooming on Skaters Waltz catching a glimpse of the sun before snow moved in, January 23rd, 2021.
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Morning grooming on Skaters Waltz extension catching a glimpse of the sun before snow moved in, January 23rd, 2021.
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Snow falling in the afternoon! January 23rd, 2021.

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Setting track on Bullhead Bootleg extension for first time this year, January 22nd, 2021. The north end is rough and probably best to take skis off and walk through. The first part of Bullhead remains an adventure trail. To access the Bootleg loop without skiing the adventure part, one can ski the last part of Bullhead to the extension, ski the extension loop than back out on Bullhead trail.
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Suicide Hill touched up this afternoon, January 22nd, 2021.
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Fun in the fresh falling snow! January 22nd, 2021.
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Dusting of snow on top of recent grooming making for nice skiing, January 21st, 2021.
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Setting track on Bullhead Bootleg extension for first time this year, January 22nd, 2021.
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Cutting fresh track on Island Lake trail, January 21st, 2021.
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Cutting new track on Roy’s Run, January 21st, 2021.
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Fresh snow on the double track, January 19th, 2021.
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Setting new track on Mother Hen at sunset, January 19th, 2021.
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Skiers in HS Nordic ski race heading up Single Green, January 19th, 2021.
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Heading down Suicide Hill, HS Nordic ski race, January 19th, 2021.
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Heading up Single Green, January 19th, 2021. Moorhead Invite at Maplelag

Fat Bike Trail Report

Trails are open. Brilliant sunshine and nice riding despite cooler temps. A dusting of fluff after rider packed on Saturday during 3-4″ of snow. Epic Saturday on the fat bike trails. Fast and firm riding than snow moved in and slowed things down but great conditions nonetheless. Around 3-4″ of new fluff snow. The entire 25km loop was groomed Wednesday and last Friday, packing the recent new snow on the previously groomed base. We will most likely groom this new snow on Monday or Tuesday but riding conditions will remain good with the solid base.

For best riding experience, run lower tire pressure and widest tires possible. (please no mountain bikes) If you are making ruts, you need to lower your tire pressure. It will also make the riding easier and more fun! Please no hiking or snowshoeing on Fat Bike trails. Maplelag is one of the few tracks in the country that have fat bike exclusive use providing a smooth and level deck.

Grooming update: Entire 25km loop is open and groomed. Most recent grooming Friday 1/15 and Wednesday, 1/13 on the entire loop. Trail open to tires 3.5″ and wider. Run low tire pressure (4-6 psi) until the deck hardens up. Please no mountain bikes. We will groom again before the weekend if necessary.

To access the bootleg loop, take Skaters Waltz ski trail, riding on the side than take Suicide Hill singletrack to bottom of Suicide Hill to access the Bootleg loop. Back up Suicide Hill on Skaters Waltz and follow grooming and look for eventual signage to complete the loop. Twin Lakes can be accessed from the driveway. Sukkerwest singletrack is accessed at end of the driveway and is a great beginner or starter loop.

Thanks Ben Olson for the volunteer grooming and use of the snowdog groomer!

All day and season passes for non overnight guests must be purchased online through the website. The Maplelag trails are not subsidized in any way and passes help offset grooming and property taxes.

Twin Lakes singletrack, January 24th, 2021.
Frosty fun! January 24th, 2021.
Group of riders ready to hit the whole “FatLagChilada” today, January 23rd, 2021. Great to see so many riders out today!
Ben and Heidi post ride, January 23rd, 2021. Thanks Ben for letting us use your SnowDog groomer!
Excellent riding conditions on Bootleg singletrack, January 21st, 2021.
Great riding on Twin Lakes singletrack, January 21st, 2021.
Cold temps great for freezing down top water on Bullhead lake, January 21st, 2021.
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Fresh grooming on the entire fat bike trail, January 20th, 2021.
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Heading down Skaters Waltz, January 18th, 2021. To access the main loop and eventually Bootleg, take Skaters Waltz to the right.
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Inner segment singletrack, January 18th, 2021.
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Rolling across Bullhead Lake, January 18th, 2021.
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Bootleg singletrack loop, January 18th, 2021.
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Bridge crossing on Bootleg loop, January 18th, 2021.

Trail Report

Snow bubble day! Beautiful fluff snow falling today accumulating to 3-4″ as of 6pm. Lovely skiing on the trails. We will be out in the morning grooming the snow on select trails. Entire trail system groomed Thursday and Friday. Touch up grooming on skater trails Saturday morning. Grooming throughout the week conditioning the snow and mixing in any new snow keeping conditions and skiing very good. Trails are not icy.

Be sure to look for porcupines off Mother North Star and Roy’s Run trails, about 1/3rd the way in on both trails. Lots of other tracks including deer, wolf, coyote, pine marten, fox, and beaver to name a few. Also look for the new and active eagle nest at the start of Island Lake trail. You can also see the next at the top of “eagle view” at the top of the last downhill on Twin Lakes trail. Many birds also to keep an eye for including the swooping pileated woodpecker.

Trails are open for day use. All day and season passes for non overnight guests must be purchased online through the website. (click here)

Note: Please do not snowshoe or walk on ski or fat bike trails. Thank you! We have designated snowshoe trails for snowshoeing and walking. We take pride in having as “clean” as possible ski and fat bike trails.

Select singletrack loops groomed for fat biking totaling 25km. Report on the Fat Bike trail report.


Lotvola Cup is Back! Click here for more details.

We will be hosting a high school race Tuesday January 26th. With COVID restrictions, it will be a all day event. It will be a classic race on Sap Run, Sukkebusk and Twin Lakes at various times of the day. All other trails will be open. Grooming will occur on Monday the 25th and the above trails will be closed late afternoon. All other trails will be open for skiing.

All day and season passes for non overnight guests must be purchased online through the website.(click here) Parking in first parking lot as you enter Maplelag. Click here for trail map. There are no services in the main lodge. No ski rental available at this time.

Grooming Update: Entire groomed trail system groomed Thursday and Friday. Skate trails on tap for grooming again Saturday morning.

Trails groomed for double track include Sap Run, Sukkerbusk, Twin Lakes, JibFly, Rootin Tootin, Mother North Star and Mother Hen.

Trails groomed for singletrack classic skiing include Wavy Gravy, Island Lake, and Roy’s Run. North Loup now groomed with track on side of skate lane.

Skate trails groomed include Skaters Waltz, Suicide Hill, Single Green, Krisitin’s Kutoff, Skaters Extension and North Loup.

Adventure trails: First part of Bullhead and Lucky’s are not machine groomed and are “adventure” ski trails with skier made track. Bootleg extension is now groomed. The north end is rough and probably best to take skis off and walk through. The first part of Bullhead remains an adventure trail. To access the Bootleg loop without skiing the adventure part, one can ski the last part of Bullhead to the extension, ski the extension loop than back out on Bullhead trail.

Please no snowshoeing or walking on ski and fat bike trails.

Total new snowfall past 24 hours at 1″. Snowfall past 24 days around 21″. Total snowfall on season 34″ (since October 14th) Compacted base on trail 4-8″.

Snowshoe trail is open for snowshoeing. Please no hiking or walking on the ski trails!

First part of Bullhead Lake and Lucky’s Loype that traverse on AMA land not groomed. Use caution as unmarked obstacles etc. may exist. Not recommended to ski, assume all risk.

Trails are open for day use. All day and season passes for non overnight guests must be purchased online through the website. (click here)

Please no snowshoeing or walking on ski and fat bike trails.

Please note the lodge will be closed to day skiers as a result of COVID-19 precautions. This includes no ski rental availability. If you do enter the lodge, please follow signs for entering and exiting. Restrooms located downstairs. Porta bathrooms in far parking lot. Please help keep Maplelag open by limiting inside use.

Morning grooming on Skaters Waltz catching a glimpse of the sun before snow moved in, January 23rd, 2021.
Morning grooming on Skaters Waltz extension catching a glimpse of the sun before snow moved in, January 23rd, 2021.
Snow falling in the afternoon! January 23rd, 2021.
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Setting track on Bullhead Bootleg extension for first time this year, January 22nd, 2021. The north end is rough and probably best to take skis off and walk through. The first part of Bullhead remains an adventure trail. To access the Bootleg loop without skiing the adventure part, one can ski the last part of Bullhead to the extension, ski the extension loop than back out on Bullhead trail.
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Suicide Hill touched up this afternoon, January 22nd, 2021.
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Fun in the fresh falling snow! January 22nd, 2021.
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Dusting of snow on top of recent grooming making for nice skiing, January 21st, 2021.
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Setting track on Bullhead Bootleg extension for first time this year, January 22nd, 2021.
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Cutting fresh track on Island Lake trail, January 21st, 2021.
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Cutting new track on Roy’s Run, January 21st, 2021.
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Fresh snow on the double track, January 19th, 2021.
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Setting new track on Mother Hen at sunset, January 19th, 2021.
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Skiers in HS Nordic ski race heading up Single Green, January 19th, 2021.
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Heading down Suicide Hill, HS Nordic ski race, January 19th, 2021.
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Heading up Single Green, January 19th, 2021. Moorhead Invite at Maplelag

Trail Report

A great day on the trails! The base snow came out hiding today and was much more agreeable in the grooming process. With fresh fluffy snow falling in the afternoon combined with the recent grooming, conditions are excellent. The remainder of the trail system was groomed today and we also groomed the Bullhead Bootleg extension loop for the first time this year and also the return of Bullhead lake trail. The north end is rough and probably best to take skis off and walk through. The first part of Bullhead remains an adventure trail. To access the Bootleg loop without skiing the adventure part, one can ski the last part of Bullhead to the extension, ski the extension loop than back out on Bullhead trail. Suicide Hill freshened up today as well. Tomorrow morning will be out touching up the skate trails working in the new snow from this afternoon into the frozen granulated base that is providing some fantastic conditions. The tracks should set up nicely overnight and with the new snow provide fantastic skiing this weekend.

Be sure to look for porcupines off Mother North Star and Roy’s Run trails, about 1/3rd the way in on both trails. Lots of other tracks including deer, wolf, coyote, pine marten, fox, and beaver to name a few. Also look for the new and active eagle nest at the start of Island Lake trail. You can also see the next at the top of “eagle view” at the top of the last downhill on Twin Lakes trail. Many birds also to keep an eye for including the swooping pileated woodpecker.

Trails are open for day use. All day and season passes for non overnight guests must be purchased online through the website. (click here)

Note: Please do not snowshoe or walk on ski or fat bike trails. Thank you! We have designated snowshoe trails for snowshoeing and walking. We take pride in having as “clean” as possible ski and fat bike trails.

Select singletrack loops groomed for fat biking totaling 25km. Report on the Fat Bike trail report.


Lotvola Cup is Back! Click here for more details.

We will be hosting a high school race Tuesday January 26th. With COVID restrictions, it will be a all day event. It will be a classic race on Sap Run, Sukkebusk and Twin Lakes at various times of the day. All other trails will be open. Grooming will occur on Monday the 25th and the above trails will be closed late afternoon. All other trails will be open for skiing.

All day and season passes for non overnight guests must be purchased online through the website.(click here) Parking in first parking lot as you enter Maplelag. Click here for trail map. There are no services in the main lodge. No ski rental available at this time.

Grooming Update: Entire groomed trail system groomed Thursday and Friday. Skate trails on tap for grooming again Saturday morning.

Trails groomed for double track include Sap Run, Sukkerbusk, Twin Lakes, JibFly, Rootin Tootin, Mother North Star and Mother Hen.

Trails groomed for singletrack classic skiing include Wavy Gravy, Island Lake, and Roy’s Run. North Loup now groomed with track on side of skate lane.

Skate trails groomed include Skaters Waltz, Suicide Hill, Single Green, Krisitin’s Kutoff, Skaters Extension and North Loup.

Adventure trails: Bullhead and Lucky’s are not machine groomed and are “adventure” ski trails with skier made track. We will groom the Bootleg extension once there is more snow at the north end. Skiable with skier made track and now machine packed.

Please no snowshoeing or walking on ski and fat bike trails.

Total new snowfall past 24 hours at 1″. Snowfall past 24 days around 20″. Total snowfall on season 33″ (since October 14th) Compacted base on trail 4-8″.

Snowshoe trail is open for snowshoeing. Please no hiking or walking on the ski trails!

First part of Bullhead Lake and Lucky’s Loype that traverse on AMA land not groomed. Use caution as unmarked obstacles etc. may exist. Not recommended to ski, assume all risk.

Trails are open for day use. All day and season passes for non overnight guests must be purchased online through the website. (click here)

Please no snowshoeing or walking on ski and fat bike trails.

Please note the lodge will be closed to day skiers as a result of COVID-19 precautions. This includes no ski rental availability. If you do enter the lodge, please follow signs for entering and exiting. Restrooms located downstairs. Porta bathrooms in far parking lot. Please help keep Maplelag open by limiting inside use.

Setting track on Bullhead Bootleg extension for first time this year, January 22nd, 2021.
Suicide Hill touched up this afternoon, January 22nd, 2021.
Fun in the fresh falling snow! January 22nd, 2021.
Dusting of snow on top of recent grooming making for nice skiing, January 21st, 2021.
Setting track on Bullhead Bootleg extension for first time this year, January 22nd, 2021.
Cutting fresh track on Island Lake trail, January 21st, 2021.
Cutting new track on Roy’s Run, January 21st, 2021.
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Fresh snow on the double track, January 19th, 2021.
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Setting new track on Mother Hen at sunset, January 19th, 2021.
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Skiers in HS Nordic ski race heading up Single Green, January 19th, 2021.
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Heading down Suicide Hill, HS Nordic ski race, January 19th, 2021.
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Heading up Single Green, January 19th, 2021. Moorhead Invite at Maplelag

Trail Report

A few scattered flurries this morning. After a warmer day yesterday with winds gusting to 50mph, cooler temps on the moving with falling temps expected during the day. Once the wind settles down, we will begin a regroom of the entire groomed system, cleaning up the trails. A interesting day yesterday with wind and warm temps and pieces of ice falling from the trees from last weeks storm! Grooming should clean the trails up nicely and a great end of the week and weekend of skiing on tap.

Trails are open for day use. All day and season passes for non overnight guests must be purchased online through the website. (click here)

Note: Please do not snowshoe or walk on ski or fat bike trails. Thank you! We have designated snowshoe trails for snowshoeing and walking. We take pride in having as “clean” as possible ski and fat bike trails.

Select singletrack loops groomed for fat biking totaling 25km. Report on the Fat Bike trail report.

Lotvola Cup is Back! Click here for more details.

We will be hosting a high school race today, Tuesday January 26th. With COVID restrictions, it will be a all day event. It will be a classic race on Sap Run, Sukkebusk and Twin Lakes at various times of the day. All other trails will be open. Grooming will occur on Monday the 25th and the above trails will be closed late afternoon. All other trails will be open for skiing.

All day and season passes for non overnight guests must be purchased online through the website.(click here) Parking in first parking lot as you enter Maplelag. Click here for trail map. There are no services in the main lodge. No ski rental available at this time.

Grooming Update: We groomed the entire groomed system all day Friday when the snow was still warm and before temps dropped that eventually hardened the base and dried out the snow. Timing is critical to maintain the best conditions possible.. Touch up grooming occurs as needed. Total regroomed planned before the weekend.

Trails groomed for double track include Sap Run, Sukkerbusk, Twin Lakes, JibFly, Rootin Tootin, Mother North Star and Mother Hen.

Trails groomed for singletrack classic skiing include Wavy Gravy, Island Lake, and Roy’s Run. North Loup now groomed with track on side of skate lane.

Skate trails groomed include Skaters Waltz, Suicide Hill, Single Green, Krisitin’s Kutoff, Skaters Extension and North Loup.

Adventure trails: Bullhead and Lucky’s are not machine groomed and are “adventure” ski trails with skier made track. We will groom the Bootleg extension once there is more snow at the north end. Skiable with skier made track and now machine packed.

Please no snowshoeing or walking on ski and fat bike trails.

Total new snowfall past 24 hours at 1″. Snowfall past 24 days around 20″. Total snowfall on season 33″ (since October 14th) Compacted base on trail 4-8″.

Snowshoe trail is open for snowshoeing. Please no hiking or walking on the ski trails!

First part of Bullhead Lake and Lucky’s Loype that traverse on AMA land not groomed. Use caution as unmarked obstacles etc. may exist. Not recommended to ski, assume all risk.

Trails are open for day use. All day and season passes for non overnight guests must be purchased online through the website. (click here)

Please no snowshoeing or walking on ski and fat bike trails.

Please note the lodge will be closed to day skiers as a result of COVID-19 precautions. This includes no ski rental availability. If you do enter the lodge, please follow signs for entering and exiting. Restrooms located downstairs. Porta bathrooms in far parking lot. Please help keep Maplelag open by limiting inside use.

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Fresh snow on the double track, January 19th, 2021.
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Setting new track on Mother Hen at sunset, January 19th, 2021.
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Skiers in HS Nordic ski race heading up Single Green, January 19th, 2021.
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Heading down Suicide Hill, HS Nordic ski race, January 19th, 2021.
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Heading up Single Green, January 19th, 2021. Moorhead Invite at Maplelag