Wisconsin · Cross-country skiing

Sidewinder

1.0 mi
loop
71 ft
climb
1,761 ft
high point
Loop
route
May–Oct
best months

Sidewinder is a cross-country ski loop in northern Wisconsin, about a mile from the town of Rib Lake. The route is a short, moderate outing, with a high point of 1,761 feet and a low of 1,702 feet, and it rises about 70 feet from start to finish. The steepest stretch comes at about a third of the way around, with a 7% grade. Winter is the natural season for this trail. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show January highs around 21°F with lows near 0°F, while March runs about 39°F by day and 15°F at night. The station sits roughly 220 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the loop run a little cooler. Several other ski routes sit close by. Kicker is about 0.1 mile away, and Glider and Klister are each about 0.2 mile off. For a change of pace, the Iat - Rib Lake Segment hike is about 1.4 miles away.

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Sidewinder

    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

      21° / 0°

      8 wet

    2. Feb

      27° / 3°

      6 wet

    3. Mar

      39° / 15°

      7 wet

    4. Apr

      52° / 29°

      9 wet

    5. May

      66° / 41°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      75° / 51°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      79° / 54°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      77° / 52°

      9 wet

    9. Sep

      69° / 45°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 33°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      39° / 21°

      7 wet

    12. Dec

      26° / 9°

      8 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Prentice #2, WI, 13.7 mi away at 1,540 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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