Fat Bike trails are open. 5-6″ new snow. We packed the FatLagChilada loop today up to Twin Lakes. We will complete the grooming tomorrow. Conditions will be a bit soft but another grooming run, colder temps should be good 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.
Fresh grooming on the singletrack, December 14th, 2022.Grooming December 14th, 2022.Weaving through Bootleg singletrack loop, December 12th, 2022.Saturday riders, December 10th, 2022.Rolling on the inner singletrack, December 10th, 2022.Crossing creek on Bullhead Bootleg loop, December 10th, 2022.
Winter Wonderland! Around 5″ of new snow overnight with light snow continuing to fall throughout the day. Yesterday we had sleet most of the day that cemented nicely making a solid base layer of 2″ on top of the existing base. The sleet and wet snow bending over a lot of smaller trees, branches etc. Bottom line, all the new snow, the sleet layer and the base below grooming up nicely and will make for great skiing after everything gets cleared and groomed out the next few days.
We packed most of the trail system today and later afternoon set track on Sap Run, Sukkerbusk and JibFly. With the snow being heavy and wet and rising temps we didn’t set any more track. The tracks that were set skied very nice in the afternoon. We will be back out on the trails Thursday again packing and setting track on a few more trails and clearing branches etc.
Total snowfall this season at 22″. Compacted base on trail 3-7″.
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.
Similar to the COVID season, there will be no services available. Parking in the far lot with portable bathrooms.No lodging or meal service. Starting Thanksgiving weekend we will have 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.
Taking in the beauty of the new snow on fresh set Sukkerbusk, December 14th, 2022.Cutting new track on Sukkerbusk, December 14th, 2022.Packing on Sukkerbusk, December 14th, 2022.Packing on Skaters Waltz, December 14th, 2022.Packing on Sap Run, December 14th, 2022.Early morning packing on Twin Lakes ski trail, December 14th, 2022.
Fat Bike trails are open.Rider traffic over the weekend helping pack in the base after the entire 25km FatLagChilada was groomed Friday. New snow on Tuesday followed by grooming helping level the deck and filling in the low spots. Bit soft in middle in some areas but overall nice early season riding.
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.
Weaving through Bootleg singletrack loop, December 12th, 2022.Saturday riders, December 10th, 2022.Rolling on the inner singletrack, December 10th, 2022.Crossing creek on Bullhead Bootleg loop, December 10th, 2022.
50km of groomed trail open, 35km classic only, 15km skate only. Fair to very good early season conditions being reported. Watch for areas of thin cover/rough spots etc. during early season. Breezy conditions the past few days bringing down a bit of organic matter. Chance of snow later today and we will be out packing any new snow as it falls on select trails the next few days.
Best skiing will be found on the inner loops and Twin Lakes to the west for classic and Skaters Waltz and the extension loops for skating. North Loop in much better condition for skating after recent snowfall. Use caution on far segment.
Island Lake and Wavy Gravy are now tracked, other than some thin areas and “Mac’s Mess”, (the segment to connect Wavy and Island) is still a bit rough. Passable through Mac’s by walking or simiply use the return of Island to make a full loop on Wavy. We also packed a modified loop of Roy’s Run. We did track the start but we need a few more inches before we can set track all the way through.
Total snowfall this season at 16″. Compacted base on trail 1-5″. Most recent snowfall on Tuesday with 3″new.
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.
Similar to the COVID season, there will be no services available. Parking in the far lot with portable bathrooms.No lodging or meal service. Starting Thanksgiving weekend we will have 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.
Afternoon striding on Twin Lakes, December 11th, 2022.Sukkerbusk ski trail, December 11th, 2022.Sukkerbusk has been well used this early season but coverage remains good and tracks holding out fine. Heading out for a evening groom on Sukkerbusk, Skaters Waltz and the big hill, December 10th, 2022.Members of Moorhead and Wadena Nordic ski teams heading out for a morning of training, December 10th, 2022.Balance work! Skaters Extension, December 10th, 2022.Wavy Gravy ski trail, December 9th, 2022.Setting track on Island lake trail, December 9th, 2022.Packing and combing on Roy’s Run, December 9th, 2022. Next snowfall of 1-2″ we can set track all the way through on the modified loop of Roy’s Run. Clearing deadfall on Roy’s Run, December 9th, 2022.
Fat Bike trails are open. A nice weekend of riding. good rider traffic after the entire 25km FatLagChilada was groomed Friday. New snow on Tuesday followed by grooming helping level the deck and filling in the low spots. Bit soft in middle in some areas but overall nice early season riding.
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.
Saturday riders, December 10th, 2022.Rolling on the inner singletrack, December 10th, 2022.Crossing creek on Bullhead Bootleg loop, December 10th, 2022.
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