Customer Reviews

Allen & Mike's Really Cool Backcountry Ski Book (Allen & Mike's Series)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been a back-country skier for almost 20 years now. My first reaction to this book was that it's NOT FAIR that rookie snow campers can now easily know all of the tricks that I had to learn the hard way. All those cold nights, hands, and ***** wasted!! Where was this book when I was learning? It makes it too easy! My second reaction was to some of the neat tricks I hadn't learned ....until now. Highly recommended - grudgingly!

Well, I just panned a different book and said don't waste your money so now its time to even the score.

This book is great fun. I have lots of winter camping books and do a fair amount of winter camping. Other books may have more information, but none covers all of the basics with as much humor as this one. I do alpine skiing and snowshoeing so the coverage of tele skiing wasn't of particular interest...but I still really enjoyed reading those sections, too.

It is hard to describe the authors' irreverent approach while dealing with serious (life and death) topics, but they somehow pull it off. This is really a great book to engage someone who isn't already a hard-core winter camper...so if you are, buy it for your significant other (assuming you haven't been able to get them enthused about spending a winter weekend outdoors.) If they don't enjoy this book, you may officially give up on them.

This book is a good summary of all those things that you learn from either years of experience, or the hard way. Many of the tips in the book are things that really can make an alpine climb, or back country trek an enjoyable one. The illustrations are humorous but very accurate. It doesn't matter how much experience you may have or what you strap to your feet, there is a tip or trick in this book for you.

I bought this book because I thought its breezy fun style would convince my wife this was a fun and survivable experience. Well she still won't go, but we both got a laugh from the book and learned a few things.

The authors of this book are clearly powder bums. But don't let that scare you, take their advice and go as far as your comfortable. Odds are you won't quit your job and move to the mountains.

Here's a little story about this book. A guy walks into a mountaineering store in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and asks for a book on backcountry skiing and the sales-lady shows him this book. He only glances at it an states: "I meant a real book."

Our society is in a misserable state of de-evolution and this guy is living proof of the sorry state of humanity! Needless to say, this guy is totally lame!

Watch for the follow up book; TELEMARK TIPS! This review was also a form of shameless self promotion by the Mike guy from the title.

For all your backcountry skiing needs, this book is your one stop source and it is full of MAD magazine (and R.Crumb) inspired illustrations. These cartoons are funny and informitive plus the text is awsome too! Black Diamond equiptment is the leading sourse of backcountry skiing gear and they keep a copy in their bathroom! Talk about a place of honor, what aer you waighting for? You NEED this book! 'Nuf said... Mike!

There are two types of winter campers: those who have this book and those who need it. Perhaps if you are very very experienced you don't need it but otherwise, get it! Allen wrote a short, but information full book, that is easy and fun to read quickly and jamn packed with a mix of basic functional knowledge, extra tidbits that are good to know, and all kinds of little tricks he has discovered over the years.

Everything I have learned the hard way in 10+ years of snow camping, is in this book! This book is written with wit and humor and great illustrations. This book is required reading for my scout troop before they can pack their first pack for our winter campouts!

it is awesome! these guys are nols instructors. one guy provides the incredibly helpful commentary while the other guy provides the humorous illustrations. you will be howling with laughter as you read this great book. my bet is that humor/laughter aids the memorization process. that is key in this case because there are some truly essential tips in this book! not to be without! can't wait to wintercamp this year. they also have a telemark tips book which is very good too...

This book combines some great humor and excellent line drawings with some great wilderness and backcountry wisdom. All the tips and tricks one picks up over the years are in this book and it is highly recommended reading for newcomers and those already involved.

The author and illustrator know lots about the backcountry and provide tons of useful information on winter skiing. Even if you've spent much time yourself skiing in the backcountry, you'll find tips here that will make you wonder why you hadn't been doing things that way all along.