Category Archives: Reports

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Ski Trail

Ski Trail Report

Trails are open. Tracks reset on Sap Run and Sukkerbusk at dusk. Today started working on the west trails, tracking Twin Lakes and clearing and packing Wavy Gravy. Plan is to track Wavy by the weekend. We also cleared North Loup and will pack and comb it on Wednesday. (We are considering tracking North Loup for the rest of the week and weekend with skating traffic light). All the inner trails groomed Monday morning, setting track on the classic trails and roll combing Skaters Waltz.

We will be grooming daily this week opening new trail and touching up all trails as needed. Grooming a little bit slower going with the overhanging branches and downed limbs and branches to clear but everything is grooming out nicely and skiing is great, albeit a bit softer. Use a little extra caution on the downhills and watch out for the “face slappers”! 

Classic only trails recently groomed include Sap Run, Mother Hen, JibFly, Loon Return, Sukkerbusk, Mother North Star, Rootin Tootin 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

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.
Skiing on JibFly, December 22nd, 2022.
Nice to see the sun today! December 22nd, 2022.
Repair work on the snowmobiles, December 22nd, 2022.
Heading for a snowy ski! December 21st, 2022.
Late afternoon skate, December 20th, 2022.
Sunset skate, December 20th, 2022.
Ski Trail

Ski Trail Report

Trails are open. We groomed all the inner trails this morning, setting track on the classic trails and roll combing Skaters Waltz. We will be grooming daily this week, touching up inner trails as needed and working on the western trails and eventually Roy’s Run and the skate trails to the north. Grooming a little bit slower going with the overhanging branches and downed limbs and branches to clear but everything is grooming out nicely and skiing is great, albeit a bit softer and slower. Use a little extra caution on the downhills and watch out for the “face slappers”! 

Classic only trails recently groomed include Sap Run, Mother Hen, JibFly, Sukkerbusk, Mother North Star, Rootin Tootin. 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

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.
Skiing on JibFly, December 22nd, 2022.
Nice to see the sun today! December 22nd, 2022.
Repair work on the snowmobiles, December 22nd, 2022.
Heading for a snowy ski! December 21st, 2022.
Late afternoon skate, December 20th, 2022.
Sunset skate, December 20th, 2022.
Bike Trail

Fat Bike Trail Report

Fat Bike trails are snow covered. 2 feet of snow the past two weeks. More snow falling Sunday. We plan to work on the FatLagChilada loop this week, focusing on the Twin Lakes loop 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 5-6″ of ice and folks have been riding across the lake. If not comfortable crossing the lake, use the normal access by taking Goat Ranch road to county 34 than access from highway. Otherwise use Skaters Waltz to access Bullhead lake following the signs. Assume all risk.

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.

Snow covered singletrack with lots of overhanging branches.Keeping patient and hopeful for rideable conditions the last week of 2022!
Bike Trail

Fat Bike Trail Report

Fat Bike trails are snow covered. 2 feet of snow the past two weeks. More snow falling today. We plan to work on the FatLagChilada loop after Christmas to have rideable conditions the last week of 2022.

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 5-6″ of ice and folks have been riding across the lake. If not comfortable crossing the lake, use the normal access by taking Goat Ranch road to county 34 than access from highway. Otherwise use Skaters Waltz to access Bullhead lake following the signs. Assume all risk.

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.

Snow covered singletrack with lots of overhanging branches.Keeping patient and hopeful for rideable conditions the last week of 2022!
Ski Trail

Ski Trail Report

Merry Christmas! Trails are open. Cool start to the day but slowly warming as we begin the progression to warmer temps next week. Trails are snow covered after most recent grooming and will be slower skiing. Best trails to ski are on the inner loops. Slower skiing but great snowy scenes in the woods, especially through the pine stands in the “square” and “skinny” fields.

Grooming on hold until Monday the 26th. We will work on the same 40km of trail listed below to have in best condition possible the last week of 2022. 

Branches and small trees continue to fall across the trail due to snow load even after grooming and clearing, use little extra caution on the downhills and watch out for the “face slappers”! 

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

 Wavy Gravy and Island Lake trail have been packed, lot of overhanging branches. Our intentions are to pack and track Wavy Gravy, Island Lake and most of Roy’s Run once we get caught up on the other trails and clear the deadfall and release snow off the over hanging branches. 

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 36″. 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 are open click here for latest report

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.
Skiing on JibFly, December 22nd, 2022.
Nice to see the sun today! December 22nd, 2022.
Repair work on the snowmobiles, December 22nd, 2022.
Heading for a snowy ski! December 21st, 2022.
Late afternoon skate, December 20th, 2022.
Sunset skate, December 20th, 2022.