All posts by Jay Richards

Ski Trail

Ski Trail Report

All trails open. A pretty quiet day on Tuesday with just a few skiers out but the tracks were the best they have been all year and no wind, sunshine made for a spectacular day. Today air temps are warmer but with more noticeable wind. Sun popping out this afternoon making for great skiing! The 6″ of new snow Saturday evening and Sunday morning combined with daily grooming has raised the ski conditions to “mid winter”. There is good snow to work with and we can regroom much easier and clean the tracks out if any organic forest matter blows down from the wind.

We have been grooming daily on at least some portion of the entire trail system and will continue touching up trails as needed during the week into the weekend. We are pulling up the old base to help set the tracks and make the base more durable.

Groomer’s Choice for Wednesday : Twin Lakes The other two western trails skiing nice as well. North Loup nice for both skate and classic. Sukkerbusk always in great shape, groomed the most and a great trail to ski first time at Maplelag to get a feel of lay of the land. JibFly easy loop and the return of Mother North Star back to Maplelag from start of JibFly a good beginner loop as well.

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 three days of grooming since that first snowfall. 

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

Enjoying the sunshine and fresh grooming! January 14th, 2025.
Setting track on North Loup, January 14th, 2025. Groomed for skate and classic.
Rolling hills of North Loup, January 14th, 2025.
Porcupine in tree along North Loup just past “Terrible Ted” sign.
East side of Bullhead lake trail, January 14th, 2025.
Top of Eira Bikwadinaa Hill, January 14th, 2025.
At the bottom of Eira Hill, take a right and follow the tracks along the lake to the east side to pick up the
Tracks along the lake before accessing Bullhead lake trail, January 14th, 2025.
Settling snow! January 14th, 2025.
Another beautiful moon lit ski! January 13th, 2025.
Cutting new track on Island Lake trail, January 13th, 2025. All the western trails are skiing very nice. In particular, Twin Lakes. 
Nice to see the spruce trees planted at Maplelag covered in snow! January 13th, 2025.
Setting double track on Mother North Star, January 13th, 2025.
Cutting new track on Roy’s Run, January 13th, 2025.
Cutting new track on Roy’s Run, January 13th, 2025.
Cutting new track on Wavy Gravy, January 13th, 2025.
Sunday skiers, January 12th, 2025.
Members of the Holy Family Nordic Team on Bullhead Bootleg, January 12th, 2025.
Skiing through the pines at end of Bullhead lake trail, January 12th, 2025.
Sun dog over JibFly grooming, January 12th, 2025.
Singletrack setting on Rootin Tootin, January 12th, 2025. 
Setting track on Sap Run, January 12th, 2025.
Setting track on Sap Run, January 12th, 2025.
Setting double track on Twin lakes, January 12th, 2025.
Skiing under the moonlight with “moon dogs” January 12th, 2025.
Fresh snow smiles! January 11th, 2025.
Night grooming! Snow falling as the moon started to pop out, January 11th, 2025.
Grooming across Bullhead lake, January 11th, 2025. The new snow helped at the marsh areas. Still recommended to take skis off on north end, otherwise rest of Bullhead Bootleg trail is skiing great. 
Ready for a afternoon on the trails, January 9th, 2025.
Bike Trail

Fat Bike Trail Report

Fat Bike Trails are open. Monday we groomed the inner singletrack segments and the Hudson Hula loop. Today we plan to complete the grooming of the entire 25km FatLagChilada course. The trail is grooming out very nice and setting up well. Might be a few soft spots otherwise really nice riding!

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

Inner singletrack after fresh grooming today, January 13th, 2025.
Snow covered singletrack, January 12th, 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

Ski Trail Report

All trails open. Best skiing of the season! The 6″ of new snow Saturday evening and Sunday morning has brought conditions to “mid winter” skiing. We have been grooming daily on at least some portion of the entire trail system and will continue touching up trails as needed during the week into the weekend. Cool temps in place but in the woods, bundled up proper there is some really nice skiing to be had. We are pulling up the old base to help set the tracks and make for better glide when usually this cold and fresh snow is slower skiing.

Groomer’s Choice for Today: Twin Lakes The other two western trails skiing nice as well.

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 three days of grooming since that first snowfall. 

1.7″ new snowfall past 48 hours. 20″ of snowfall this season, compacted base on trail 1-4″. Snow depth in woods 3-7″   

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

Another beautiful moon lit ski! January 13th, 2025.
Cutting new track on Island Lake trail, January 13th, 2025. All the western trails are skiing very nice. In particular, Twin Lakes.
Nice to see the spruce trees planted at Maplelag covered in snow! January 13th, 2025.
Setting double track on Mother North Star, January 13th, 2025.
Cutting new track on Roy’s Run, January 13th, 2025.
Cutting new track on Roy’s Run, January 13th, 2025.
Cutting new track on Wavy Gravy, January 13th, 2025.
Sunday skiers, January 12th, 2025.
Members of the Holy Family Nordic Team on Bullhead Bootleg, January 12th, 2025.
Skiing through the pines at end of Bullhead lake trail, January 12th, 2025.
Sun dog over JibFly grooming, January 12th, 2025.
Singletrack setting on Rootin Tootin, January 12th, 2025. 
Setting track on Sap Run, January 12th, 2025.
Setting track on Sap Run, January 12th, 2025.
Setting double track on Twin lakes, January 12th, 2025.
Skiing under the moonlight with “moon dogs” January 12th, 2025.
Fresh snow smiles! January 11th, 2025.
Night grooming! Snow falling as the moon started to pop out, January 11th, 2025.
Grooming across Bullhead lake, January 11th, 2025. The new snow helped at the marsh areas. Still recommended to take skis off on north end, otherwise rest of Bullhead Bootleg trail is skiing great. 
Ready for a afternoon on the trails, January 9th, 2025.
Bike Trail

Fat Bike Trail Report

Fat Bike Trails are open. A snowy Sunday after an awesome Saturday of riding with one of the busiest days of fat bikers we have seen. Great to see so many people out enjoying the primo conditions! The deck was solid and firm as snow fell most of the day. We ended up close to 6″ new snow. The trail will be rideable but slow going. Monday and Tuesday we plan to groom the FatLagChilada loop. 

A great day on Wednesday riding with group rides in the afternoon and evening. Riding with lights some of the best riding! 

Tuesday the “InnerEast” (Bullhead Bootleg and inner singletrack segments) were groomed. Friday we groomed the Twin Lakes singletrack loop. 

The entire FatLagChilada is open. The inner singletrack and Bullhead Bootleg loop (InnerEast loop) is riding the best. Use a little extra caution, especially on Twin Lakes but overall very good riding. 

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

Start at Skaters Waltz ski trail and go right to access first singletrack to Bullhead. Access across Bullhead lake is now possible. Ice thickness is 9-11″.

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. 

Bullhead Bootleg loop is also accessed using the Goat Ranch road (county road 110) 

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

Snow covered singletrack, January 12th, 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

Ski Trail Report

All trails open.  Excellent skiing on mid winter conditions! 6″ of dry fluffy new snow Saturday evening and Sunday morning. Some trails have a bit more new snow on top of the recent grooming but most skied in Sunday. We will continue grooming daily and combined with lower temps, trails are setting up nicely. Today we plan to groom all the skate trails and set track on classic trails not set yesterday that have a dusting of snow on top after Saturday’s grooming and Sunday snowfall.

Sunday we reset tracks on the inner trails and Twin Lakes

Saturday afternoon and in to the evening, all the trails were groomed 1-3 times except the extension loops of Skaters Waltz and the far outer west loop of Island Lake trail. We took advantage of the warmer temps, higher dew points and moist snow to work the fresh snow in before drying out with falling temps and dew points separating from the air temperature. To us and grooming application, dew point one of the most important things to monitor!

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 three days of grooming since that first snowfall. 

1.7″ new snowfall past 48 hours. 20″ of snowfall this season, compacted base on trail 1-4″. Snow depth in woods 3-7″   

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 12th, 2025.
Members of the Holy Family Nordic Team on Bullhead Bootleg, January 12th, 2025.
Skiing through the pines at end of Bullhead lake trail, January 12th, 2025.
Sun dog over JibFly grooming, January 12th, 2025.
Singletrack setting on Rootin Tootin, January 12th, 2025. 
Setting track on Sap Run, January 12th, 2025.
Setting track on Sap Run, January 12th, 2025.
Setting double track on Twin lakes, January 12th, 2025.
Skiing under the moonlight with “moon dogs” January 12th, 2025.
Fresh snow smiles! January 11th, 2025.
Night grooming! Snow falling as the moon started to pop out, January 11th, 2025.
Grooming across Bullhead lake, January 11th, 2025. The new snow helped at the marsh areas. Still recommended to take skis off on north end, otherwise rest of Bullhead Bootleg trail is skiing great. 
Ready for a afternoon on the trails, January 9th, 2025.