Maine · Cross-country skiing

Ski Back

0.5 mi
round trip
399 ft
climb
1,550 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Ski Back is a cross-country ski route in Maine, about half a mile from the town of Ketchum. It is a short out-and-back trip, roughly a mile long, with a high point of about 1,550 feet and a low of about 1,424 feet. The climb is rolling, and the steepest stretch comes at about 0.3 miles in, with a grade of about 12 percent. Winter is the natural season for this route. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Bethel, which sits about 760 feet lower than the high point, show January highs around 28°F and lows near 8°F. That station's July highs average about 79°F, so expect cooler temperatures on the higher ground. Several other outings lie within a few miles. Beechnut Loop is about 1.3 miles away, and Jordan Loop and White Cap Summit are each about 1.6 miles off. Climbers can find Bear Cub Cliff Gilead ME about 5.7 miles away.

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Ski Back

    Best months: May–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      28° / 8°

    2. Feb

      31° / 11°

    3. Mar

      40° / 19°

    4. Apr

      52° / 31°

    5. May

      65° / 42°

    6. Jun

      74° / 51°

    7. Jul

      79° / 57°

    8. Aug

      78° / 56°

    9. Sep

      71° / 47°

    10. Oct

      57° / 37°

    11. Nov

      45° / 27°

    12. Dec

      34° / 17°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bethel 6 Sse, ME, 12.4 mi away at 790 ft. The station sits about 800 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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