Wild Snow: A Historical Guide to North American Ski Mountaineering : With 54 Selected Classic Routes, 214 Photographs, and 10 Maps (American Alpine Book Series) [Hardcover]

Louis W. Dawson (Author)

Book Description

Series: American Alpine Book Series | Publication Date: November 1997

This meticulously researched book covers the surprisingly rich history of ski mountaineering and also doubles as a detailed guide to 54 sought-after mountain descents-from New Hampshire's Mount Washington to Alaska's Mount McKinley. The route selection is a hit-list intended for all levels of telemarkers, snowboarders, or alpine skiers.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Dawson has been a backcountry skier since his boyhood growing up in the Rockies. Now a columnist for Couloir magazine, he has climbed and skied all over North America. In this work, he shares his passion for ski mountaineering, which involves climbing a mountain on skis, then skiing down. For each mountain Dawson discusses such practical information as how to get there, mountain height, distance to be ascended, round-trip distance and time, difficulty of ascent and glisse (descent), and what red tape must be dealt with to gain permission. In addition, Dawson offers a wealth of historical information about ski mountaineering in general and more specifically about the history of alpinism on each mountain. Dawson is a knowledgeable author with a true love of the sport and tremendous admiration for its participants. His joy and enthusiasm are infectious, and the opportunity to learn about a specialized group is irresistible. Highly recommended.?Julia Stump, Voorheesville P.L.,
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

... it also serves as a guidebook for those would attempt the routes it chronicles...you will emerge with a new perspective on mountains and why we go to them. -- The Professional --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 254 pages
• Publisher: Amer Alpine Club; 1st edition (November 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0930410688
• ISBN-13: 978-0930410681
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #755,627 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #54 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Outdoor Recreation > Skiing > Downhill
  • #81 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Nature Travel > Adventure > Skiing
  • #97 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Mountaineering > Excursion Guides

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating read and invaluable guide--a perfect gift, December 6, 2001

By 

Jonathan Waterman (Marble, Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wild Snow: 54 Classic Ski and Snowboard Descents of North America (American Alpine Book Series) (Paperback)

The combination of compelling anecdotes, history, and practical information will make this classic book stick around a long time. What really got me, is how someone could put so much information and photographs and readable narrative between two covers. Like 50 Classic Climbs, the book is a must have for all riders, skiers and mountaineers, and made the perfect gift for my husband.

Just talking about the beautifully reproduced photographs alone, without the text, this would be an awesome coffee table book. But we like to ride too, and now that we've enjoyed all of the routes in Colorado, we're looking at Mt. Shasta and Alaska.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The backcountry skiers guide to the universe., June 12, 1998

By 

Andrew McLean ([e-mail]) (Park City, UT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wild Snow: A Historical Guide to North American Ski Mountaineering : With 54 Selected Classic Routes, 214 Photographs, and 10 Maps (American Alpine Book Series) (Hardcover)

Wild Snow is the most inspirational, well written, complete book on backcountry skiing I've seen. Each chapter has concise and interesting details on some of the greatest ski descents in North American.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an invaluable reference work for the ski mountaineer, April 23, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (moscow, id) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wild Snow: A Historical Guide to North American Ski Mountaineering : With 54 Selected Classic Routes, 214 Photographs, and 10 Maps (American Alpine Book Series) (Hardcover)

lou dawson's book fills an important need in north american ski mountaineering, in that it both inspires the novice and tantalizes the seasoned outdoor buff. the trail guides in this volume are enough to keep anyone busy for a lifetime of off-piste adventure. we need more books like this.