Category Archives: Maplelag

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Lotvola Cup 2025

The Lotvola Cup is back! Mark your calendars, March 2nd at 12:12!  Simply purchase a $25 regular day pass to register. Youth 18 and under purchase $15 fat bike or summer pass. (In Notes, please enter age and make note of Lotvola Cup) No better way to celebrate the great snow year at Maplelag this season than the return in what was one of the longest running traditional classic ski races in the country.

We will once again have a 12km race, utilizing much of the course of the early years. Course will start at the trailhead near the Norwegian Log cabin. Head down Sukkerbusk to the left to Twin Lakes. Ski Twin Lakes normal direction. Back up to Sukerbusk, go left and continue to Bullhead lake trail. Down Eira Bikwadinaa hill, on to Bullhead lake, across the lake and ski Bullhead Lake trail and the Bootleg extension. After completing the Bullhead loop, continue on to Sukkerbusk just momentarily on to Kristin’s Kutoff to Mother North Star. Mother North Star (opposite normal direction) to Sap Run. Take a left on Sap Run and in! All intersection will be marked with orange Lotvola Cup signs.

The 12 KM “classic technique” only race was named in honor of Elias Lotvola, an early local Finnish pioneer in the local Sugarbush who was famous for his skiing abilities and for making of the classic wooden skis in the Finnish tradition, by hand.   Even when he was in 80’s Elias would ski thru the bush and woods checking his trapline of over 30 miles in length. His skis and poles were on display in the lodge, but sadly they were lost in the total destruction of the lodge in the fire of December of 1999.

We have many fond memories of the dynamite starts, the stories of waxing, extreme cold, warm and melting snow has always made for a memorable day. Lunch will be included. Simply purchase a $25 regular day pass to register. Youth 18 and under purchase $15 fat bike or summer pass. Fun prizes from the Maplelag gift shop. Look for updates on our website.

Section 8 Nordic Ski Championships

We will be hosting the Section 8 Nordic Ski Championships on Tuesday, February 4th, 2025. Store will be open in the Hygge and lunch will be available in the Candy Store lodge. Please no walking on the trails.

Ski trails will be open for day use, recommended to use Loon Return to access the west and north side classic trails. Skate trails will be closed for the races.

Big Dipper Cabin

One of the first cabins at Maplelag, “LapLand”, has gone through an incredible remodel and a new name. We have added a very spacious kitchen and living room, still highlighting with original Maplelag signature paneling and great views to Little Sugarbush Lake sunsets, the Big Dipper Stars, northern lights, and the call of the loon! We are super excited to complete this project and are now renting it! If you are interested in renting for the winter time frame, we suggest doing so soon.  The cabin sleeps up to 7 people with a full bath, half bath, two bedrooms, one with a king bed and one with two queen beds. Also a new loft that has a full size bed and a twin couch pull out. Contact us for special pricing. A few photos below:

Outside patio area.
Enjoy the outside and inside at the Big Dipper!

LagChilada Mountain Bike Challenge

The LagChilada challenge is a opportunity to ride all the mountain bike trails at Maplelag in one ride/day. The challenge can be ridden any day during the dirt season. We have t-shirts available for those that complete the challenge. The challenge is open to everyone. Trail pass or season pass required to participate. The course is set on Strava. Total mileage is just under 25 miles and features around 2500ft of climbing!

Heading to the start of the LagChilada!

The challenge starts with the new loop “Feeling Lucky” singletrack loop. Look for black and pink signs at key intersections. Upon completion of Feeling Lucky, take a right on the starter loop following all the sport/comp/expert/marathon signs and marked singletrack routes. After the “Bear Pass” singletrack, take a right and head on Bullhead Lake trail to access the Goat Ranch rd (county rd 110) Take a right and continue to the pavement, hiway 26. Take a right and look for access to Bootleg singletrack loop. Upon completion of the Bootleg loop, double back on hiway 26 and county road 110. Enter on Bullhead lake trail connector again to double back to main loop and continue on taking all the marked singletrack segments.

Key intersections are marked with black signs.
T-shirt for completing the LagChilada

After the start of “Bjorp’s” singletrack, take a right where marked to access the trail across 110 “North Loup Gnar” riding this segment east to west. Upon completion of North Loup Gnar, cross 110 again and pick up Bjorp’s. Shortly after, look for access to Sukkerwest. A connector trail is used to complete Sukkerwest. Use connector to get back on to Bjorps. Follow rest of trail to Twin Lakes, back across to complete!

Special belt buckles for doing a double LagChilada!!

Trail reports on the trail report page. Good luck and have fun!