Product Description
Two books in one! This 355-page book is the bible ofcross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding and backcountry skiingin Idaho, the Tetons and Yellowstone National Parks.Itincludes descriptions of hundreds of cross-country ski and snowshoetrails.Backcountry aficionados will also find it invaluable withbeautifully done aerial illustrations detailing snowboard andbackcountry ski routes in some best terrain in the west.And the bookis filled with stories, honoring and retracing the rich traditions ofwestern winter travel.To top it off, it has been carefully andlovingly designed which is obvious by its pleasing graphics,easy-to-use maps, enticing photography, and overall visual appeal.All in all, this is truly a model guidebook. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Factual, funny, informative and engrossing - a must !!
I found this book to be highly informative with exactly the type of information I needed for planning skiing and snowshoeing forays into Idaho's snow country - but more than that, it is highly readable with outstanding anecdotes and historical facts liberally spread throughout. A must-have for anyone interested in winter outdoors ... Read more

Product Description
In this impassioned expose, lifelong skier Hal Clifford reveals how publicly traded corporations gained control of America's most popular winter sport during the 1990s, and how they are gutting ski towns, the natural environment, and skiing itself in a largely futile search for short-term profits.

Chronicling the collision between Wall Street's demand for unceasing revenue growth and the fragile natural and social environments of small mountain communities, Clifford shows how the modern ski industry promotes its product as environmentally friendly--even invoking the words and emblems of such environmental icons as Ansel Adams and John Muir--while at the same time creating urban-style problems for mountain villages. He also uncovers the ways in which resorts are carefully engineered to separate visitors from their money, much like theme parks.

Clifford suggests an alternative to this bleak picture in the return-to-the-roots movement that is now beginning to find its voice in American ski towns from Mammoth Lakes, California, to Stowe, Vermont. He relates the stories of creative business people who are shifting control of the ski business back to the communities that host it.

Hard-hitting and carefully researched, Downhill Slide is indispensable reading for anyone who lives in, visits, or cares about what is happening to America's alpine communities. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (20)

Written in 2003, it perfectly predicts 2010
This book never gets old. As we watch the resort industry circle the drain EXACTLY as predicted in Downhill Slide, it makes you wonder how we could all be so stupid. A few get very, very rich at the cost of thousands of people left with nothing and an environmental disaster where taxpayers pick up the tab. This book is about the ski industry but could easily have predicted the inevitable downfall of Enron or Goldmann Sachs.

Good Read
I enjoyed reading this book.

One individual has given it the same rating of one star three different times, bringing down the overall score by more than one reviewer should. Not fair to Mr. Clifford and his efforts, Amazon should fix this. I do understand why people in the industry might wish to discredit Mr. Clifford's book, though.

I do not feel this book is "deep environmentalism" as suggested by some other reviewers. I think Clifford's discussion of impacts, on minimum streamflows and wildlife habitat for example, are relevant within the context of current environmental concerns, policy, and law. I suspect readers who feel this is "deep environmentalism" might find any obstruction to enterprise on behalf of fish and wildlife to be unacceptable.

I also find the social aspects discussed to be relevant to the residents of these communities and the labor force which supports the industry. I think anyone interested in resort skiing, real estate, and development in general can read Mr. Clifford's book and find themselves informed and entertained. That is, unless the thought of elk herds and trout getting in the way of development of recreational properties annoys you.

I found it to be well researched, well edited, and yes, opinionated. All in all, informative and easy read.

Tells it like it is
Although this book can be read like a big negative, it is very insightful. There are likely to be some positive affects of development which the author does not spend time describing and definitely comes across as having an agenda, but for the curious it is a great read. I was unable to put the book down until I was finished!

Must read for any one involved with ski companys
Great read, exceptionaly well resurched, gets a bit slow at the end, keep an open mind as could be a bit one sided makes the corporations seem a little worse than they realy are, written in 2000 but still right on in 2006. Applies the world over not just the in the USA.

scholarly skiing
it is clearly evident that clifford did a tremendous amount of research for this book and that makes it a truly interesting read.although he was a little too biased at times, he gives a thoughtful and unique perspective on the current status and future ramifications of the ski industry. ... Read more

Product Description
This book looks at over 50 of the most prestigious and beautiful ski resorts in the world. Each resort is illustrated with specially commissioned artwork to show its runs and other distinctive features. ... Read more

Product Description
The Third International Congress on Skiing and Science was held at Snowmass at Aspen, CO USA, from March 28 - April 3, 2004. The conference was organized and hosted by the St. Cloud State University and by the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club. It was also part of the programs of the World Commission of Sports Science. The scientific program offered again a broad spectrum of current research work in Alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing and ski jumping. In addition to the 5 keynote papers, for which the editors were able to secure some of the most renowned experts in the relevant fields, 50 oral and 21 poster presentations stimulated fruitful discussion. In "Science and Skiing III", the keynotes and the oral presentations are published. The manuscripts were subject to peer review and editorial judgment prior to acceptance. The papers in this volume will surely, like the two congress proceedings before, stimulate many scientists throughout the world to enhance research in the field of skiing so that at the Fourth International Congress on Science and Skiing, which will be organized in Salzburg in 2008, many new research projects will be presented. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Very technical
This book is the proceedings of the Third International Congress of Science and Skiing.These are the presentations of the papers accepted subject to peer review and editorial judgment.It covers Alpine, Cross Country Skiing, Ski Jumping, and Snow.Included are presentation on equipment, technique, physiology, and nutrition.Example topics are, "The skier's center of gravity as a reference point in movement analysis for different designated systems.""Induction of endogenous Erythropoietin: hypoxic, excercise, or natremic stimulus?""Time advantage using an improved slalom technique."

Any ski writer who has had their presentations accepted at one of the quadrennial Congresses is a ski writer who knows what they're talking about.Although much is very technical, some is readable for most of us. ... Read more

Product Description
For a great beginner's weekend; a ton of easy to follow step-by-step illustrations. Part of the "Learn-in-a-Weekend" series. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A book that relieves fear for beginners
I bought this book about 8 years ago for myself.It does a great job of introducing one to the equipment, the physics and fundamentals of downhill skiing.It gives a good head start to anyone who is apprehensive about thier first outing on the slopes.When you take your first lesson, which is highly recomended, you will already be familiar with the terminology and principles thught by the instructor.I still loan this book out to new skiers and they always appreciate it very much.

Nice & Easy Introduction for Beginners
I picked this book up after my first ski lesson, but I wish that I had read it BEFORE heading out to the slopes.The book covers all of the basics for getting started with advice on clothing, equipment, and skiing techniques.For example, one of the most difficult hurdles for new skiers is getting used to the somewhat unnatural feel of ski boots.The book provides some invaluable advice for helping new skiers to acclimate to their boots and work on some basic balancing techniques before heading out to the slopes.

The ski techniques presented mirror the types of lessons and skill progression that beginning students will see on the slopes (i.e., patterned after the American Teaching System and Professional Ski Instructor Association methods).In addition, the techniques are nicely illustrated with color photographs that demonstrate proper skiing techniques as well as some common beginner mistakes.

While I wouldn't advise beginners to forego an introductory ski lesson, the book provides just the right amount of material to help you get the most out of your first lesson(s) and get you off to a great start in the exciting sport of alpine skiing!

Hi!
This is my uncle's book so it has to be good!

A good introduction to skiing but take a lesson!
I was very apprehensive before I skiied for the first time because I was going to be skiing with some excellent athletes (including a former Olympian!). The only book on skiing that was in stock at my local bookstorewas "Learn Downhill Skiing in a Weekend" so I purchased it.

The best way to learn how to ski is to take lessons and to actually goout and ski. However, this book was the next best thing. I learned allabout how to dress, how to use the equipment, some exercises, slopeettiquette and I read up on what I should be doing once I started down themountain. The book was a great introduction but should not be used in placeof lessons. Please, do yourself a favor and take lessons. The book reallyisn't a substitute but it is an excellent SUPPLEMENT. My day on the slopesturned out well although I didn't brave the black diamond trails with myfriends. I stuck to the bunny slope and an intermediate hill.

This bookis aimed at the rank beginner with little to no knowledge of the sport. ... Read more

Product Description
In Terrain Skiiing, innovative instructor Seth Masia offers tactics for mastering the endlessly varied mountain environment. This invaluable guide addresses individual problems faced by skiers of all skill levels, helps readers gain confidence in all types of skiiing conditions, abd opens up an exhilarating new world of skiable terrain. 126 photos.Amazon.com Review
Written by a ski-school instructor, Terrain Skiing will help skiers of all ability levels (and especially intermediates) adapt to ever-changing terrain situations and snow conditions, and ski with confidence and skill. If you want to ski challenging slopes like an expert--or simply master the intermediate trails for optimum enjoyment--consult this guide before your next trip to the mountains. ... Read more

Product Description
When author Michael Jeneid moved west to start the Sierra Club's Cross-Country Ski School at the Clair Tappaan Lodge he discovered that California is one of the premier ski areas in the country. Now, after years of investigation and research, he has compiled a book detailing California's major cross-country ski areas and local resort, hotel and lodge accommodations.

This combination how-to and trail guidebook covers virtually all of California's groomed cross-country ski areas. The trails were selected for their variety and the accommodations that surround them. Photos demonstrate turn techniques and show the beauty of the 22 areas covered.

Author Michael Jeneid is a fully certified P.S.I.A. cross-country instructor. He has raced in all of the major ski marathons of Europe and has twice skied Canada's 100-mile marathon, the Coureurs de Bois. He is also the author of Adventure Kayaking: Trips from the Russian River to Monterey. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Misleading Title and Disappointing Content
I have high respect for the author and I find the front matter on skiing history and ski techniques very interesting & informative.

However, for a guidebook, I was disappointed to find NO maps of ski trails for anywhere.No ski tours are described. Instead each ski area is described in general terms.The description of developed ski facilities and lodging is good, but where's the ski trails?

Furthermore, the coverage is spotty.All the areas around Tahoe and Donner are covered, but the southern and eastern Sierra and southern California ski areas are poorly represented.

I recommend buying Marcus Libkind's "Ski Tours in the Sierra Nevada." He has 4 volumes for various parts of the Sierra and another book on Lassen.

Disclaimer: I am not a professional reviewer hired by the publisher, but a real skier.

An excellent guide to the best skiing.
Michael Jeneid's Cross-Country Skiing California provides a guide to both trails and resorts, with chapters covering all of the state's major ski regions and local accommodations as well. An excellent guide to the bestskiing. ... Read more

Product Description
Make the most of your skiing with expert advice from top ski instructor Harald Harb and elite sports fitness trainer Paul Frediani.

The revolutionary Ski Flex program takes just ten minutes a day to improve your skills and keep you fit both on and off the mountain. This easy-to-use guide provides a dependable strength and conditioning program for first-timers and regular weekend skiers alike. The fourth book in the highly popular pocket-sized Sports Flex series, Ski Flex meets the demand for sports-specific flexibility programs that can be done anywhere in a shorter amount of time! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Ski instruction
I ordered a couple of his books and while one may be interesting they are kind of redundant.If ordering just try one first.

Stretch for the Slopes!
Get in shape for ski season with this guide to stretching.These easy exercises work well as a morning wake-up call.

Good book on ski conditioning
This is a good book - a relatively inexpensive book to help know how to get in shape for skiing season. I also purchased Fitskiing (hardback) which is more exhaustive (and was more what I was looking for), but this book is worth the cost.

Flexibility - yes!Fitness and conditioning - not really...
It is well established that stretching improves agility and quickness of skiers. Resistance exercises strengthen the muscles, but they also shorten them. Stretching makes muscles longer again. This leads to flexibility (greater range of motion in the joints) which allows to get the most out of your training program and helps to ski longer, in better control, with less fatigue. Many books in the past emphasized primarily physical training during off-season period. In the last few years, flexibility and stretches got increasingly large attention. This book is entirely focused on stretches. It contains a well-illustrated 10-20 minute warm-up and stretching routine, and several additional excersises to improve balance. The exercises are very easy, and can be done, e.g., in the morning before work. They help to wake up and to feel better. Additionally, there is a section on warm-up and stretches recommended for the slopes before skiing (partly with the skis on), and a few exercises on skis to improve balance.

The authors emphasize that it is important to do these stretches every day since the result will be nil if you do them irregularly. However, it is not quite clear what kind of progress you can expect if you do them every day. While I appreciate the importance of stretches, I strongly suspect that the result may be rather insignificant if you do these routines every day, but nothing besides them. Stretches obviously work best when they are combined with more vigorous exercise program, such as strength training or aerobics. It is a pity that this book includes very few of those - if it did, it could be an indispensable source for pre-season conditioning. The good part, however, that practically all suggested exercises can be done at home on the floor or standing against the wall, with the equipment which can be purchased at a local harware store, or with no equipment at all.

The subtitle of the book (see the bottom of the book cover) is misleading as it says "flexibility, fitness, and conditioning for better skiing". Flexibility is definitely there, and is very well written; fitness and conditioning - sorry, guys, I did not see much of it in the book. Four stars.

A trainer gets trained
I'm a personal trainer working in a New York City gym and when a client of mine wanted some exercises for his favorite sport, I did a search and found this book.It has been excellent.All I needed to tailor a program for him, and even exercises he can do on the mountain in full gear.Clear, honest and effective.I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Product Description
Skiing can be a path to higher spiritual awareness, contributing to centering, ego effacement, and the search for perfect mental stillness

• Shows how exploring and applying the laws that govern movement, practitioners gain access to the “right gesture,” the action that brings body and mind into balance

• Includes nine “katas of the glide” that all skiers, snowboarders, and skwallers can incorporate into their own technique

Patrick “Thias” Balmain, creator and promoter of the skwal--a type of snowboard that positions the feet and the body facing forward on the board--discovered that by applying a concentrated awareness to movement activities such as skiing, a balance in motion can be achieved that is pure harmony and joy. When the mind is completely engaged, not with its thoughts but with the attention it commits to the movement of the body, it brings forth a balance between Earth’s center of gravity and that of the individual that evokes lasting transformations in one’s stance toward life, influencing one’s attitudes, gestures, words, and actions.

The Inner Glide presents a unique and original practice that will challenge ski enthusiasts, snowboarders, or skwallers, whether experts or beginners, to make the transition from the raw quest for sensation--itself a source of imbalance--to a more subtle and harmonious practice based on internal centering. Balmain offers a complete illustrated program that includes nine “katas of the glide”--conscious movement exercise sequences to help practitioners discover the “right gesture” and “the inner glide” for any terrain or situation--to bring body and mind into balance with joy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Glidiing On
A great insight into the more spiritual side of skwalling - the feeling it creates is captured beautifully. ... Read more

Product Description
Technical Skills for Alpine Skiing is an instructionalbook written to educate and excite parents, coaches and school-ageathletes about skiing.Unique among books of this type, TechnicalSkills for Alpine Skiing provides readily applicable exercises anddrills to enhance the performance of young skiers.Young skiers arehighly motivated by their desire to free ski; ski anywhere on amountain.They also respond eagerly to challenge and the opportunityfor personal achievement.Through "directed free skiing," skiers canwork toward a goal, develop a routine to encourage optimumperformance, and add constructive focus to each run down the mountain.These themes provide the basis for Technical Skills for Alpine Skiing.

Technical Skills for Alpine Skiing contains numerous exercises that teach and refine skiing skills in a very progressive manner beginning with wedge turns and building to expert skiing.Hundreds of photographs, including multiple-image composites, enhance a clear and descriptive text that is concise and easy to understand.The photographs of talented young demonstrators and of the author, combined with the text, make this book as accessible to skiers of all ages and levels of expertise.

The book covers in depth: technique, "directed free-skiing", wedge turns, beginning parallel turns, dynamic parallel turns and step turns.Specific areas of development include balancing exercises, skill development, ski pole action, turn shape, terrain/snow conditions and perceptual skills.

A detailed table of contents allows the reader to assess skiers' strengths and weaknesses and to derive a listing of exercises to meet individual needs efficiently.The glossary makes sense of the words common to the language of skiing.An appendix provides pertinent information concerning appropriate ski equipment for young skiers.It discusses, among other things, the correct sizing of ski boots, skis and poles.

True narratives precede each chapter.They relate experiences that had a deep effect on the author's development as a teacher and as a person.There were two major influences on her work: an extraordinary wealth of personal experience, and her ability to listen to children and to visualize skiing through their eyes.

Technical Skills for Alpine Skiing is a favored book among ski instructors and coaches nationwide. ... Read more

Product Description
Open Your Heart with Skiing will inspire you to make the most of the turns -- both in life and on the slopes -- whether you are a seasoned skier or a beginner. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Be a Winner, Not a Whiner on The Slopes of Life
This book is for people who are ready to be inspired and quit whining and start winning! As an expert Whine Tester, I'm here to tell you that after you read this book you will be ready to tackle not only the ski slopes but life itself in a new and exciting way. It is time to Stop Whining, Start Smiling and Start Skiing again and again.
Thou Shalt Not Whine: The Eleventh Commandment: What We Whine About, Why We Do It and How to Stop This is an especially wonderful book for parents who are thinking of introducing their children to a family sport that everyone can enjoy and do together.

Fluffy
Although, it covers most of the bases in terms of ski technique, this little book may not take your skiing to the next level unless you are able to carefully note the suggestions and take them to the mountain.It's pretty fluffy.

the book is as good as skiing with the author
I have been lucky enough to ski with the author at Copper Mt and the book really helps with a full understanding of the sport. I feel it is right up there with the classic Centered Skiing. In short easy to understand terms modern skiing is explained, I would recommended this book to any body interested in learning, or improving ski skills.

Open your heartand lift your soul.
Mr Hultquist presents the best attemptat describing the feeling of skiing and the love of the mountain environment than in any skiing book I have read. It's a difficult concept to describe and he does a very good job to share this with his readers.

This isn't a how to book but is more of a description of the different textures that are encountered on the slopes and options to consider to begin to master the challenges it presents. . What types of equipment would best suit that terrain and solid advice on purchasing to make informed buys.

Open Your Heart with Skiingis a fast read and keeps your attention as the subject matter is presented to a conclusion and thenmoves to another subject.

Beginners to accomplished skiers will find this book a great read and gain someuseful insight from it.

Stephen Hultquist's words spoke to me in a way no other skiing book has. To my heart and the connections many feel when we become avid skiers through the wonderful experiences that are available to us when we go up to the mountains to ski orto just enjoy the great mountain environment. ... Read more

Product Description
The skier's ultimate guidebook to the North Shore describes 35 groomed trail systems from Duluth-Superior to Grand Marais and the Gunflint Trail. You'll learn about hidden gems plus well-known state parks. Andrew Slade offers information about challenging trails, fun trails for a family outing, scenic overlooks and lighted trails for a romantic night ski. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Very excellent guide to skiing the north shore!
This book is an excellent guide to skiing the north shore of lake Superior. I have used it for two winters now and have not been disappointed. The author gives very clear descriptions of the various trails and locations.
I have really enjoyed picking locations out of the book that sound interesting and then heading up north to ski those trails. I have not been let down yet and the book has indeed led me to several places that I probably would not otherwise have gone.
If you plan on doing any cross country skiing in northern MN I would strongly suggest that you pick this book up and use it as a guide. It is also fun to just sit and read about the trails and imagine what it would be like to be out skiing them during those times when you just can't get up there to do any real skiing.

Cross Country Heaven
Lake Superior is our vortex.This is the place where our images and dreams seem to go when we are thinking about the true north of MN and surprising for many, it is winter that is the favorite season for most of us.The best trails for skiing, the best grooming, the longest connections, and the most rugged landscape with an unbelievably blue lake make the shore the best.But how to choose among the options?How to find a trail that meets your skills?It is a challenge.

However,Andrew has done the work for you and put the trails and the details in a book that is small enough to go in your pack, is not filled with more than you want to know and captures the entire MN shoreline.

There is only one recommendation I can make, buy it and use it.

Much more than a guidebook
Besides being a comprehensive reference guide to the cross country ski trails along the North Superior Shore this book is an enjoyable read!That is because in addition to the regular reference material you would expect to find in such a guide, there is plenty of anecdotal information spread throughout the pages of book including tips and interesting facts about the area.A must have for anyone planning on skiing in the area for the first time or for anyone already familiar with the area but looking for other trails to ski.

It's THE book.
Skiing the North Shore is THE guide to cross country skiing on the north shore of Lake Superior. I've lived in the area for the past six years and still come back to the book to find new places to ski or tips about which trails are the best. With the enormous amount of skiing in the area--over 400km in Cook County alone--it's nice to have a guidebook along that includes everything.

A great book to keep in the glove compartment.

Lots of great information about North Shore ski trails
"Skiing the North Shore'' is just the kind of guide I like -- it's got lots of detailed maps and useful how-to information. I've skied many of the trails Andrew Slade has included in this book, and his descriptions are right on. They'll be especially useful for people who don't know much about the trails and are trying to decide which ones to pick. It's hard, since there are so many beautiful trails! This guide definitely is worth the money. ... Read more

Product Description
Using a unique method we developed, the simple Imagery Teaching System (SITS), each element of expert skiing is divided into simple, illustrated steps and procedures. This comprehensive, user-friendly guide delivers a proven system that transforms intermediate skiers into experts on the snow. We go beyond ski instruction, and offer strategies on motivation and goals, diet, off snow training, and making the right equipment choices. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

fantastic
I've had an absolutely fantastic experience with this book.
The instruction couldn't be presented in a more simple fashion.
I read the book over a couple of days, practicing the exercises (many that you can do at home) and had a revolutionary day at the slopes the first day out.
The boot feels a little unpolished in its presentation and a couple of the supplemental chapters are a bit sparse, but the fundamentals are quite sound.
Its not a book for someone just starting out, but if you can make basic turns and you can learn from reading, go for it. Don't let the "expert" in the title discourage you.

Took me to the next level
This book is easy to read and the techniques are very simple. In one season while practicing each technique over and over until they were a reflex action I was able to take my skiing to the next level. I purchased a second book as a gift to a friend who is struggling to improve. I recommend to anyone who would like to improve there skiing ability. Two thumbs way up!!!

Workable, but nothing new.
As an intermediate skier looking to improve, this book was a disappointment since it comes off as merely a Poor Man's version of Harald Harb's "Anyone Can Be an Expert Skier" series. In fact, Phipps usage of terms like "SITS" and "Shift to Flat Foot" for his descriptions that comes awfully close to Harb's "PMTS" method and "Free Foot to Little Toe Edge" move.

Weekend Warriors starts off overpromising its instruction. In the first few sections it repeats the the agenda ahead to the point it's almost comical. It's organized semi-decently but not written extremely well, with several errors throughout.

I tried some of the techniques on-snow and, while workable, don't offer anything new if you've read some of the other, better ski books out there. Throughout most of the book, the instruction is well-intended, but I got the impression Phipps didn't really test his method out thoroughly on novice skiers and a lot of it was hot air.

What the author DOES accomplish though that I wish we saw in other ski instruction books is a simplified way of demonstrating technique. Phipps uses analogies like "hugging a beach ball" or "holding a teacup" that do help as opposed to some of the overly academic descriptions in other books.

Will this book make you a better skier? Possibly if you get around the poor writing. But Phipps becomes guilty of just what he accuses others of (and promises to avoid early on in the book)-- describing too many complicated moves that you won't remember on snow.

The author succeeded in making us believe there was a quick method to hit the slopes ASAP and look good skiing... what was delivered takes just as much practice and work as the other methods. Not something you'll accomplish in one weekend.

Good skiing takes practice. This book may help some beginners, but better to look into Harald Harb's "Anyone Can Be an Expert Skier I" book... which "Weekend Warriors" surprisingly echoes like an imitation perfume. ... Read more

Product Description
Whether you're a bunny-hop beginner or a hotdog wannabe,Skiing For Dummies is your ultimate guide to downhill fun, fromchoosing the right equipment and mastering the fundamentals tounderstanding ski slope etiquette and finding the best powder.Youeven get tips on snowboarding and other extremely fun ski slopeactivities. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Guide to prepare you for your first ski lesson.
Be in good shape and dress warm. WOW THANKS! no, not much technincal help here. OK prep for your first time out. Also, I'm not sure why there's so much advanced info in here. It is a dummies book.

Everything you want to know about Skiing
I found this book quite helpful as a beginner who knows squat about skiing.. It takes you through every process of the sport from Learning to Ski to purchasing your lift ticket and everything in between.I found many of the tips quite useful.Although my best suggestion is just go and purchase a lesson it's well worth the money and hands on skiing is definitely way better than reading about it!

Whether you've already tried skiing, or want to
This is a terrific guide!For people who have already tried skiing and are still somewhat mystified by the complexity of the equipment and the rental shop and just finding one's way around, this book is an invaluableaid in moving up to the next level.For people considering taking up thesport in the next season, it will help you to have a satisfying, enjoyableexperience.

The author provides handy, valuable tips on things assimple as what to wear, and things as complex as how to choose a ski.Heexplains how ski boots should fit, and how to rent them.There is a bigemphasis on the importance of taking a lesson, but more importantly, how toget the most out of that lesson.

For anyone who plans a ski trip fornext season, whether it is a day or a week or more, the small investment inthis wonderful guide will be returned many times over.Even the mostexperienced skiers will find something useful.

Common sense
When buying a book, you would hardly expect to get only a pieceof common sense for your money. Unfortunately, this is the case with thisbook. Its main message is "get yourself a skiing instructor and learn how to ski". I agree, noone learns how to ski (swim, play basketball, etc.)from a book only, but nonetheless the book should advise on techniques, not tell one that he/she needs a coach. It's pretty obvious, even for a dummy. ... Read more

Product Description
The real mogul skiing instruction you're looking for. Whether you want to ski gentle moguls with comfort and confidence, turn heads on your local mogul run, or compete in mogul contests, this book will give you the specialized techniques you need to reach your goal. In this first-of-its-kind book, mogul skiing competitor Dan DiPiro reveals techniques that have remained largely unknown or misunderstood outside of competitive mogul skiing circles. Most skiers try to ski moguls using only groomed-trail techniques, says DiPiro. But the bumps require a special set of techniques that have nothing to do with groomed-trail skiing. With an understanding of these special techniques, most fit, expert skiers can become good mogul skiers, and some can become excellent mogul skiers and even mogul competitors. For the aspiring mogul skier, this book is full of invaluable instruction. For the seasoned bumper, it's an ideal tune-up guide and a long awaited affirmation. For all skiers interested in broadening their understanding of downhill skiing excellence, it's an original, eye opening read. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

Wish I had this book 10 years ago!
I'm an aggressive all mountain skier except when it comes to the bumps. My bump skiing friends taught me how to ski moguls but this book put all the pieces together. What my mogul skiing friends where teaching me were parts and pieces of the puzzle. I only wish I had this book 10 years ago when I was single and skied way more than I do now. I ran across this book when I was looking up mogul skiing on line. When I read about it I bought it right away and glad I did. Now its all I do on the slopes is practice the drills and bash the bumps. I don't know the author but glad he wrote this book. Thanks Dan! Oh, and I'm doing the zipper line where as before reading this book I could only go about 6-8 bumps until I get kicked out the back the door.

DiPiro's book a fantastic resource on mogul skiing concepts; A Mogulskiing.net Review
DiPiro's breakdown of mogul technique in "Everything the Instructors Never Told You about Mogul Skiing" is a great resource for mogul skiers, beginner to expert. His writing style is easy to read and easy to visualize. The images accompanying the text are also infinitely helpful.

DiPiro's message is solid. Following the drills and tips he provides, you are sure to advance you mogul skiing abilities in leaps and bounds.His approach to mogul technique intentionally avoids discussion of "carving," in the conventional alpine sense.Be sure to remember as you read, that this doesn't mean your skis should be flat and skidding!DiPiro simply emphasizes that the technique used in moguls ought not be derived solely from alpine carving, but should rather be an exploration into an entirely different realm of skiing.

I read this book just as I was getting into skiing bumps.It truly opened my eyes to "real" mogul skiing.I was able to develop and hone my skills much more effectively with the knowledge learned from reading DiPiros book not once, but three times!The concepts truly came to life after I received coaching at a Mogul Logic camp.At this juncture, I must also note that, as effective as a book on technique may be, it can never totally replace the value of live instruction/coaching.This book would be a great companion to taking a mogul camp (Mogul Logic, Momentum, etc.), or a live mogul lesson with DiPiro or another mogul pro.

I would also personally advise following up your reading of this book by watching Chuck Martin's mogul skiing lessons on YouTube (search "mogul logic chuck") . Those, along with this book, will help you take your skiing to another level.

What it comes down to is this: each skier must synthesize and formulate his own style, by learning as much as he can from multiple schools of thought. He must take from these, and develop his own style which is comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, and most fun!"Everything the Instructors Never Told You about Mogul Skiing" should reside on the nightstand of any skier interested in moguls.

As a sidenote, this book was a big catalyst in my decision to develop mogulskiing (dot) net.Thanks for your hard work, Dan!

Keep on bumpin.

~Patrick

Director, [...](note to Amazon editors: "[...]" is a registered business entity (a division of Patrick Torsell Enterprises), not just a URL... please stop deleting it)

If you own no other ski book ... this is the book you want.
If you are a dedicated skier wanting to improve it is merely a matter of time until groomed trails are too easy and real skill and flow are to be found in the bumps.

But effective bump skiing is somewhat different from groomed slope skiing.Ifyou take the techniques (striving for carving long edge set turns) into the bumps you will be stalled immediately.The problem is that you do not know this .. This is the only book I have ever read that deals directly with skiing bumps.It is superb

As an aside, I live 30 miles northwest of Aspen and ski perhaps 80 times a year.Aspen prides itself on the highest number of skier/instructor days of any resort.Yet the vast majority of these (somewhat to very good) groomed trail teachers avoid the bumps like the plague ... Why?They can't ski them. Why? They are clueless as to the techniques required and so neatly explained in Dipiro's book.

Precision writing
This is absolutely the briefest and most 'to the point' book on the subject. I highly recommend it to everybody seeking mogul skiing proficiency.
Technical advice like 'stand tall', 'absorb and extend' made a world of difference for me and instantly improved my mogul technique.
If you try to improve yours - look no further - buy this book and head for the hills.
Enjoy your training.

For the zipper-line wannabe
The audience DiPiro is writing for in this book is the skier who wants to ski moguls fast, following the fall line, feet and knees locked together, knees pumping, feet twisting below a steady upper body, finishing with an aerial stunt, just like the mogul skiers in competitions on t.v.

As a long-time skier in my 70's, I aspire to ski moguls slowly and gracefully, as I have seen hundreds of good recreational skiers do. I have no desire to ski with white patches on the knees of my ski pants so the people on the chairlift can admire how fast I pump and keep my knees together.

Some of DiPiro's advice may be helpful to such a skier as I--stand tall, compress and extend, don't carve. But much of it fails to address my goals. For example, he says to use compression and extension to control speed, but doesn't explain how to transfer these actions to speed control. In fact, he relates these movements to speed, rather than control. While he pairs compression with extension, his diagrams for skiing the line show skiing in the trough around moguls, not over them, where one wouldcompress. Quickly turning the feet can most easily be done on the top of a mogul; he doesn't mention this.

Having read the rave reviews for this book, I was disappointed to find it doesn't give the instruction I was looking for. ... Read more

Product Description
Discusses the equipment, training, and maneuvers used in freestyle skiing, a sport recently added to the winter Olympic competitions. ... Read more