All posts by Jay Richards

Ski Trail Report

Trails are open. Great skiing conditions despite the colder weather. Despite the cooler weather the trails were busy this MLK weekend with skiers and fat bikers. Layer/dress proper and some really nice skiing to be had. Hygge warm and cozy with stove in basement to warm up. Snacks and hot beverages available.The trails are always open regardless of cold temperatures and we typically stay open during warm spells. The snow is seasoned or transformed so it endures the warmer days and the bottom 2-3″ of base is like concrete!

We get asked how long we will be open for the season and based on this year’s weather pattern at Maplelag, we are optimistic to have skiing until late March.

Grooming Saturday on the following trails: Sap Run, Sukkerbusk, JibFly, Mother Hen, Twin Lakes, Mother North Star, Rootin Tootin, North Loup (new track set) and Skaters Waltz/Eira Bikwadinaa Hill. Grooming Sunday on Roy’s Run.

Groomer’s Picks for Monday: Shorter loops of Sukkerbusk, JibFly, Mother Hen, Sap Run, and Mother North Star. Those hearty to venture on outer loops, North Loup and Roy’s Run.

Classic only skiing on trails with machine set tracks: Sukkerbusk, Sap Run, JibFly, Mother Hen, Rootin Tootin, Mother North Star and Loon Return. Roys Run, Twin Lakes, Wavy Gravy and the first and last part of Island Lake trail now tracked as well. Mac’s Mess in between Twin Lakes is not groomed but skier made track and passable. Might have to take skis off for just a little bit. North Loup has a track on the side and a skate path. The crossing on the north end of Bullhead lake trail is a bit rough. Take skis off and walk for the adventure! Lucky’s Loype and double green not groomed, skier made track. Watch for branches etc. on AMA land.   

Skating on Skater Waltz, the extension of Skater Waltz, Single Green climb, Kristin’s Kutoff, Eira Bikwadinaa hill and North Loup.  Please do not skate on trails outside of the designated skate trails. Thank you!

We have been grooming and skiing since November 20th and have only missed four days of grooming since that first snowfall we skied on after grooming. 

7″ new snowfall past 7 days. 25″ of snowfall this season, compacted base on trail 2-6″. Snow depth in woods 3-10″   

Share your ski experience on Skinnyski.com

Season and day passes can be purchased here. A purchase of a season pass helps us maintain the trails year round and provide the best skiing possible even in low snow year. Thank you! 

Fat Bike trails open. Click here for latest fat bike report

Sunday skiers, January 19th, 2025.
Setting track on Roy’s Run, January 19th, 2025.
Every day is a great day for winter play! January 19th, 2025.
Trail head sign getting closer to completion! January 19th, 2025.
Sun dogs over Bullhead Bay, January 18th, 2025.
Members of the Moorhead Nordic ski team out for early morning training, January 18th, 2025.
Sap Run skiing! January 18th, 2025.
Tracking to Twin Lakes! January 18th, 2025.
Moonlight grooming on Sap Run, January 18th, 2025.
New track cut on North Loup, January 18th, 2025.
Setting track on Rootin Tootin, January 18th, 2025.
Frosted! January 18th, 2025.
Family Ski! January 17th, 2025.
Fresh turkey tracks on North Loup, January 17th, 2025.
Fresh snow falling on Friday, January 17th, 2025.
Sunset grooming on Skaters Waltz, January 16th, 2025.
Evening groom on Eira Bikwadinaa hill, January 16th, 2025.
Pat working on new trail head sign! January 16th, 2025.
Snow covered pines we planted in “Roy’s Field” 15 years ago, January 15th, 2025.
Enjoying the sunshine and fresh grooming! January 14th, 2025.

Fat Bike Trail Report

Fat Bike Trails are open.  Good to excellent riding conditions. Dusting of new snow on top or firm base. Entire 25km FatLagChilada course groomed Tuesday. The trail groomed out very nice and set up well. Might be a few soft spots but cold temps tightening up the base again. We do not close the trail because of cold weather, just if above 32. When riding in colder temps, be prepared, dressed properly and good riding to be had. Stop in the Hygge before or after to change, have some snacks and beverages! 

The FatLagChilada includes the east side of Bullhead Bootleg loop and the west side of Twin Lakes. Ski trail segments and inner singletrack in between along with crossing of Bullhead lake consists of the “FatLagChilada”.   

Start at Skaters Waltz ski trail and go right to access the start. Stay on Skaters Waltz and only going off to singletrack where signed.

To access Twin Lakes singletrack only, take driveway down and start at bridge section. SukkerWest also accessed off the driveway for a good starter/beginner loop. 

 Click here to be part of the Strava Maplelag Mountain Bike Community

Saturday riding, January 18th, 2025.
Fat bike trail, January 18th, 2025.
SukkerWest groomed singletrack, January 16th, 2025.
Fat bike trail grooming, January 14th, 2025.
Excellent fat biking conditions, January 14th, 2025.
Bullhead Bootleg fresh groomed and ready for riders, January 14th, 2025.
Groomed track across Bullhead lake to access Bullhead Bootleg singletrack loop, January 14th, 2025.
Great group of riders on Saturday, January 11th, 2025. Parking across from Hygge building which is also a day center. 
Rolling through on Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, January 11th, 2025.
Rolling through on Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, January 11th, 2025.
Bullhead lake crossing. Fun riding Saturday with fresh snow all day, January 11th, 2025. 
Grooming on Twin Lakes singletrack January 10th, 2025. 
Bullhead Bootleg singletrack rider packed after dusting, January 10th, 2025. Great riding! 
Fat bike riding, January 10th, 2025.
Good coverage on Bullhead Lake, January 10th, 2025. 
Riding on Bullhead Bootleg, January 8th, 2025.
Riding on Bullhead Bootleg, January 8th, 2025.
Riding on Bullhead Bootleg, January 8th, 2025.
Magical nigh riding, January 8th, 2025. 
Mid ride break on Bullhead lake under the moon, January 8th, 2025. Night riding some of the best riding! 
Rolling across Bullhead Lake, January 8th, 2025.
Post ride in the Hygge.
Grooming on Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, January 7th, 2025.
Grooming on Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, January 7th, 2025.

Ski Trail Report

Trails are open. Great skiing conditions considering the weather. Despite the cooler weather the trails have been busy this weekend with skiers and fat bikers and we put in a full day of grooming Saturday and groomed Roy’s Run today. We will be open MLK day and every day forward there is skiable snow.

Layer/dress proper and some really nice skiing to be had. Hygge warm and cozy with stove in basement to warm up. Snacks and hot beverages available.

Grooming Saturday on the following trails: Sap Run, Sukkerbusk, JibFly, Mother Hen, Twin Lakes, Mother North Star, Rootin Tootin, North Loup (new track set) and Skaters Waltz/Eira Bikwadinaa Hill.

Groomer’s Picks for Sunday : Sukkerbusk, JibFly, Mother Hen, Sap Run, Mother North Star and North Loup and Twin Lakes for outer loops. 

Classic only skiing on trails with machine set tracks: Sukkerbusk, Sap Run, JibFly, Mother Hen, Rootin Tootin, Mother North Star and Loon Return. Roys Run, Twin Lakes, Wavy Gravy and the first and last part of Island Lake trail now tracked as well. Mac’s Mess in between Twin Lakes is not groomed but skier made track and passable. Might have to take skis off for just a little bit. North Loup has a track on the side and a skate path. The crossing on the north end of Bullhead lake trail is a bit rough. Take skis off and walk for the adventure! Lucky’s Loype and double green not groomed, skier made track. Watch for branches etc. on AMA land.   

Skating on Skater Waltz, the extension of Skater Waltz, Single Green climb, Kristin’s Kutoff, Eira Bikwadinaa hill and North Loup.  Please do not skate on trails outside of the designated skate trails. Thank you!

We have been grooming and skiing since November 20th and have only missed four days of grooming since that first snowfall we skied on after grooming. 

7″ new snowfall past 7 days. 25″ of snowfall this season, compacted base on trail 2-6″. Snow depth in woods 3-10″   

Share your ski experience on Skinnyski.com

Season and day passes can be purchased here. A purchase of a season pass helps us maintain the trails year round and provide the best skiing possible even in low snow year. Thank you! 

Fat Bike trails open. Click here for latest fat bike report

Sunday skiers, January 19th, 2025.
Setting track on Roy’s Run, January 19th, 2025.
Every day is a great day for winter play! January 19th, 2025.
Trail head sign getting closer to completion! January 19th, 2025.
Sun dogs over Bullhead Bay, January 18th, 2025.
Members of the Moorhead Nordic ski team out for early morning training, January 18th, 2025.
Sap Run skiing! January 18th, 2025.
Tracking to Twin Lakes! January 18th, 2025.
Moonlight grooming on Sap Run, January 18th, 2025.
New track cut on North Loup, January 18th, 2025.
Setting track on Rootin Tootin, January 18th, 2025.
Frosted! January 18th, 2025.
Family Ski! January 17th, 2025.
Fresh turkey tracks on North Loup, January 17th, 2025.
Fresh snow falling on Friday, January 17th, 2025.
Sunset grooming on Skaters Waltz, January 16th, 2025.
Evening groom on Eira Bikwadinaa hill, January 16th, 2025.
Pat working on new trail head sign! January 16th, 2025.
Snow covered pines we planted in “Roy’s Field” 15 years ago, January 15th, 2025.
Enjoying the sunshine and fresh grooming! January 14th, 2025.

Fat Bike Trail Report

Fat Bike Trails are open. An inch or so of new snow. There will be areas a bit more snow from drifting. Good to excellent riding conditions otherwise. Entire 25km FatLagChilada course groomed Tuesday. The trail groomed out very nice and set up well. Might be a few soft spots but cold temps tightening up the base again. We do not close the trail because of cold weather, just if above 32. When riding in colder temps, be prepared, dressed properly and good riding to be had. Stop in the Hygge before or after to change, have some snacks and beverages!

The FatLagChilada includes the east side of Bullhead Bootleg loop and the west side of Twin Lakes. Ski trail segments and inner singletrack in between along with crossing of Bullhead lake consists of the “FatLagChilada”.   

Start at Skaters Waltz ski trail and go right to access the start. Stay on Skaters Waltz and only going off to singletrack where signed.

To access Twin Lakes singletrack only, take driveway down and start at bridge section. SukkerWest also accessed off the driveway for a good starter/beginner loop. 

 Click here to be part of the Strava Maplelag Mountain Bike Community

Saturday riding, January 18th, 2025.
Fat bike trail, January 18th, 2025.
SukkerWest groomed singletrack, January 16th, 2025.
Fat bike trail grooming, January 14th, 2025.
Excellent fat biking conditions, January 14th, 2025.
Bullhead Bootleg fresh groomed and ready for riders, January 14th, 2025.
Groomed track across Bullhead lake to access Bullhead Bootleg singletrack loop, January 14th, 2025.
Great group of riders on Saturday, January 11th, 2025. Parking across from Hygge building which is also a day center. 
Rolling through on Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, January 11th, 2025.
Rolling through on Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, January 11th, 2025.
Bullhead lake crossing. Fun riding Saturday with fresh snow all day, January 11th, 2025. 
Grooming on Twin Lakes singletrack January 10th, 2025. 
Bullhead Bootleg singletrack rider packed after dusting, January 10th, 2025. Great riding! 
Fat bike riding, January 10th, 2025.
Good coverage on Bullhead Lake, January 10th, 2025. 
Riding on Bullhead Bootleg, January 8th, 2025.
Riding on Bullhead Bootleg, January 8th, 2025.
Riding on Bullhead Bootleg, January 8th, 2025.
Magical nigh riding, January 8th, 2025. 
Mid ride break on Bullhead lake under the moon, January 8th, 2025. Night riding some of the best riding! 
Rolling across Bullhead Lake, January 8th, 2025.
Post ride in the Hygge.
Grooming on Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, January 7th, 2025.
Grooming on Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, January 7th, 2025.

Ski Trail Report

Trails are open. A good ol’ winter day with great skiing considering the weather. Despite the cooler weather the trails were busy today with skiers and fat bikers and we put in a full day of grooming. We will be open every day this weekend, MLK and every day forward there is skiable snow. Sunday grooming planned on Roy’s Run, Wavy Gravy and the start and return of Island Lake trail.

Layer/dress proper and some really nice skiing to be had. Hygge warm and cozy with stove in basement to warm up. Snacks and hot beverages available.

Grooming today on the following trails: Sap Run, Sukkerbusk, JibFly, Mother Hen, Twin Lakes, Mother North Star, Rootin Tootin, North Loup (new track set) and Skaters Waltz/Eira Bikwadinaa Hill. The wind bringing down organic forest matter but grooming is cleaning up the tracks where fresh groomed. 

Groomer’s Picks for Saturday : Sukkerbusk, JibFly, Mother Hen, Sap Run, Mother North Star and North Loup and Twin Lakes for outer loops. 

Classic only skiing on trails with machine set tracks: Sukkerbusk, Sap Run, JibFly, Mother Hen, Rootin Tootin, Mother North Star and Loon Return. Roys Run, Twin Lakes, Wavy Gravy and the first and last part of Island Lake trail now tracked as well. Mac’s Mess in between Twin Lakes is not groomed but skier made track and passable. Might have to take skis off for just a little bit. North Loup has a track on the side and a skate path. The crossing on the north end of Bullhead lake trail is a bit rough. Take skis off and walk for the adventure! Lucky’s Loype and double green not groomed, skier made track. Watch for branches etc. on AMA land.   

Skating on Skater Waltz, the extension of Skater Waltz, Single Green climb, Kristin’s Kutoff, Eira Bikwadinaa hill and North Loup.  Please do not skate on trails outside of the designated skate trails. Thank you!

We have been grooming and skiing since November 20th and have only missed four days of grooming since that first snowfall we skied on after grooming. 

6″ new snowfall past 5 days. 24″ of snowfall this season, compacted base on trail 2-6″. Snow depth in woods 3-10″   

Share your ski experience on Skinnyski.com

Season and day passes can be purchased here. A purchase of a season pass helps us maintain the trails year round and provide the best skiing possible even in low snow year. Thank you! 

Fat Bike trails open. Click here for latest fat bike report

Sun dogs over Bullhead Bay, January 18th, 2025.
Members of the Moorhead Nordic ski team out for early morning training, January 18th, 2025.
Sap Run skiing! January 18th, 2025.
Tracking to Twin Lakes! January 18th, 2025.
Moonlight grooming on Sap Run, January 18th, 2025.
New track cut on North Loup, January 18th, 2025.
Setting track on Rootin Tootin, January 18th, 2025.
Frosted! January 18th, 2025.
Family Ski! January 17th, 2025.
Fresh turkey tracks on North Loup, January 17th, 2025.
Fresh snow falling on Friday, January 17th, 2025.
Sunset grooming on Skaters Waltz, January 16th, 2025.
Evening groom on Eira Bikwadinaa hill, January 16th, 2025.
Pat working on new trail head sign! January 16th, 2025.
Snow covered pines we planted in “Roy’s Field” 15 years ago, January 15th, 2025.
Enjoying the sunshine and fresh grooming! January 14th, 2025.