Book Description
Learn the Six Key Steps to Skiing Perfection!

Harald Harb, inventor of the Primary Movement Teaching System, has already helped thousands of professional and recreational skiers achieve ski mastery.Now, Harald reveals the basic lessons that will give you immediate mprovements –at any level!

This easy-to-use yet powerful program is proven to create success on the slopes, whether you are a coach, racer, recreational skier, or just starting out.With in-depth descriptions, clear, detailed photos, and its accompanying instructional DVD, these techniques and exercises will benefit all skiers.

Harald Harb’s Essentials of Skiing will show you how to:
• Perfectly coordinate your upper and lower body movements
• Increase your balancing ability
• Expertly control speed, carving arcs, flexing and tipping, poles, and much, much more

Whether you have never strapped on a pair of skis or hit the slopes every weekend, Harald Harb’s Essentials of Skiing is your guarantee of skiing success. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

Excellent Book
Excellent book!Easy to read with good picture examples and do at home excercises.Definitely helps to achieve good solid ski technique!

Essentials
Harald is a major force in ski instruction and race coaching. Essentials of Skiing is exactly that, there is no BS. The sample turn approach is fantastic and the exercises work! I have been studying, teaching and coaching full time for twenty seven years and there is no other single book (except Expert 1 and 2) that comes close to the ESSENTIALS. If you want to improve your skiing and would like to self coach; read and follow this book, visit the PMTS forum and you are on your way to expert skiing movements. JR Nolan

great addition to skiing library
Along with Harold Harb's "Anyone Can Be a Great Skier" books 1 & 2, this is a great book on ski instruction.The techniques, drills, exercises for both on and off snow that are illustrated in the book are extremely helpful.This is by far the most beneficial and worthwhile series of books on the modern technique of skiing.I went from taking lessons on a local hill and even at Vail and was stuck in the intermediate level of skiing.The techniques given to me by traditional instruction just couldn't help me control my speed adequately on steep and icy terrain apart from the physically draining bandaid technique of skidding in one form or another.

Mr Harb's technique is reasonably simple to learn and quite effective.It now has me skiing the whole mountain, and I experience continual improvement as I continue to practice the drills in these books.What's not to like about that!

The most innovative ski instruction text to date.
I'm a former PSIA certified ski instructor, current ASIA amateur ski instructor, and licensed Doctor of Chiropractic.

Harald Harb's "Essentials of Skiing," along with his previous books (ACBES I and II) explores the most efficient, biomechanically advantageous movements and skills used in the sport of skiing today.

What I like most about Harb's "Primary Movements" Teaching System is the consistent application of the movements from the beginner levels of skiing all the way up to World Cup racing level, moguls, powder, and off-piste conditions.Whereas other "traditional" methods of ski instruction show very little continuity in their approach to teaching differing skill levels, and different snow conditions (leading to confusion and frustration), the "Essentials" form a solid foundation for all situations of skiing.

Be aware that Harb's books are somewhat controversial in the world of ski instruction and coaching.And like most other controversial things, it is that way because it works better than the status quo.For some ski technicians, this book is innovative and revolutionary.But for others, the radical departure from so-called "mainstream" ideology is a hard pill to swallow.

If I had to keep only one ski instruction text in my library, this book would be it.I suggest dissecting this book rigorously, practice practice practice the Essentials, compare it to other methods you've known and tried... and you'll be well on your way to joining the upper echelon of skiers on the mountain!

Great Book, Great system PMTS, Great author
I have all of Harald's books and videos, Highly recommend. As a ski instructor-I have greatly improved my own skiing and his books, videos and clinics are highly recommended. No comparison to any other teaching systems. ... Read more

Book Description
Beginners use more energy than novice and advanced skiers so it's a good idea to embark on a pre-season conditioning program. Condition and adapt your body for the unusual demands placed on it from cold weather, high altitude, and new movements.Understand equipment and clothing selection for your body type to meet your expectations.Negotiate and familiarize yourself with tricky resort rules and etiquettes from the parking lot, to various types of lifts, all the way down the slopes; so that you don't look like a greenhorn.Read trail maps correctly.Gather expectations of PSIA certified ski schools to take full advantage of your first lessons.Develop a proper skiing stance.Use the wedge for braking and turning.Maintain your expensive gear for years of enjoyment.Glossary included. ... Read more

Book 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 (2)

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

Book Description
Whether you're a bunny-hop beginner or a hotdog wannabe, Skiing For Dummies is your ultimate guide to downhill fun, from choosing the right equipment and mastering the fundamentals to understanding ski slope etiquette and finding the best powder.You even get tips on snowboarding and other extremely fun ski slope activities. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

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

Book Description

"Covers more information than a week's worth of private lessons."­­Ski magazine

The All-Mountain Skier helps skiers advance their skills with a foolproof, self-instructional program for mastering advanced techniques in even the most challenging conditions. Drawing from his extensive experience as a ski professional, instructor Mark Elling delivers essential advice and information­­including tips from other expert skiers­­to help readers perform like pros.

Customer Reviews (19)

True to its title
Of all the numerous books on ski instruction that I have, this is among the best.The text and the illustrations are perfectly in sync and they are equally compelling explanations of what is going on.This book explains what it means to ski the whole mountain.

Did not gain much after reading the whole book.
Do not agree with some of the "tools", especially "steering". Do not think that an intermediate skier (as myself) can benefit from the "tools" introduced in this book.I did learn something new in this book, though not much.

lacks diagrams, pictures, etc.
Yes, this book contains much information about the different components of skiing, ie., balance, weight transfer, pressure control, etc. etc. It also contains a wealth of exercises/drills that allows one to improve every aspect of how they ski...

Unfortunately, there are absolutely minimal pictures (cartoon drawings at best) to explain those concepts, and those exercises/drills..!! Yes, there are pictures - but they are mostly for posterity and not for supporting the words contained in the book.

For a subject like "Skiing," diagrams are a tremendous help, and this book has much to be desired on that area...

I Have Seen The Light, One Little Step At A Time
Woah. Problem with skiing instructors (and dance instructors too) is that they put too much into each hour lesson. With this book I was able to read it at bedtime, take it skiing and read it at lunch. I started with jumping around reading part and decided to take the author's advice and get my "tool set" in order so I started at the beginning. Whoa! 2 ski days this weekend and I feel like I've made incredible progress. (Trying to ski the black diamonds). Each chapter is full, but I would come away with one item at a time that I would remember on the slope.

If you are picking up speed that you don't want and then compulsively traversing the hill until you are stuck on your uphill ski, this is because you haven't completed your turn. That's me!! An expert skier is always turning, loading and unloading and using the C-shaped turn to keep their speed down. All of a sudden, the black was no longer scary! Going slow and falling on steeps is very harmless stuff!

Keep your stance very straight on shape skiis. People complain about burning quads and weak legs. It's because you are leaning into your boots and using your quads to take the energy in a turn. You should be using your bone structure. That's me!!! I was going to buy women's skiis because of this problem. Instead, I tightened my boots as stiff as I could so they wouldn't flex forward and I concentrated on skiing with a straigher leg, and guess what? I could ski the whole run and not get tired. (there are times when you need to get down, but a lot less than I thought).

I normally wouldn't think twice about my arms and pole planting. Boy, after reading that chapter last night, I decided to spend the whole day on the slope concentrating on my arms: shoulder width plus a little, don't swing your arms,swing your hands straight forward in relation to the skiis, and KEEP YOUR HANDS(BOTH) VISIBLE IN YOUR PERIPHERAL VISION! I wasn't doing this. You don't have to keep your hands way out in front or really wide likestraight skiis demand. And the biggest thing about pole planting? You are always swinging the pole! Your pole is either coming from behind or planting and then falling away. This is pretty no brainer on tight S-turns(the secret behind steep skiing) but on the long GS turns, I was waiting and then at the last minute swinging my pole forward and planting. Brad says this causes your skiing to be erratic and low and behold, I saw a change immediately! All of a sudden it is all related into one fluid dance.

The expert skier is always turning, making us of the dynamics, turning complete "C" turns to maintain speed on the steep, and swinging their poles into plant (sometimes you use more of a pole, sometimes you don't). Everything falls into place. My turns started matching my pole rythm and/or vice versa and I started feeling like I was really skiing.

Get the latest edition, I believe it is the 2nd Edition because it has been updated for shape skiis.

JohnA. Davis

All-Mountain Skier: The way to Expert Skiing
What I appreciate the most about this book is that it covers everything...in detail! Understanding then incorporating the subtle adjustments to stance, conditions, equipment, etc. allows the refinements to become part of better form. That translates into more fun skiing. There are a lot of paperbacks out there. The two "must have" books are this one, and Witherell's "Athletic Skier". ... Read more

Book Description
Skiing and the Art of Carving is a revolutionary new book that teaches skiers of all levels to improve their skills immensely. Learning and refining carved turns is presented as the means for becoming an accomplished skier.This is the only book available that has kept pace with rapidly changing ski technology.It provides the means to maximize performance on today's equipment.Readers can learn to carve true arcs on the new deep sidecut skis as well as on traditional skis. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

The most informative Book on Skiing
I personally found this book easy to understand,the authors made sure that they gave only the information that you needed,when you needed it,And all the information was explained in detail. With the companion video it justgets better. To put it simple,this book explains it all from A to Ski!

Inspirational.The only ski training book you need.
This is the most up-to-date and complete guide I have run across.Its coverage is encyclopedic, yet remarkably succinct, covering every issue from equipment to skills, drills, and mental approaches.It should beuseful to avid skiers and instructors at any level, supplanting volumes ofmanuals normally available only to professional instructors, yet theexercises detail a path that even novices can effectively pursue todevelop the most refined technique.The book is perfectly complemented bythe companion video which gives clear evidence that the book'sprogression of exercises can cluminate in the gorgeous turns the Ms. PostFoster, her coauthors, and demo team do so effortlessly.The combinedeffect is truly inspirational.

This book is the only ready material youshould take on your next ski trip.If you read it before then (and youshould), you will quickly develop a powerful longing for the slopes.

A must read for all skiers who want to perfect carving
This is a fantastic book for all level of skiers. It will take you through the steps to using your shaped skies as they were meant to be used. By the way: There is a video that accompanies this book - it is also excellent.And should be watched the first several times with the sound - and thenmute the sound and just watch the skiing. Maybe Amazon.com could supply it?

Very good
I spent quite some time in bookstores looking for a book that would teach me how to get the most out of my new shaped skis.I found out quickly that almost all cover only traditional skis.This book is an exception.Althought it addresses both very well I would prefer that it focusedexclusively on shaped skis.Who is buying traditional skis nowadaysanyway?Although the pictures are detailed and easy to follow they wouldbe even more effective accompanied by a training video.Ms. Foster whydon't you make a video to go with the book?I'd be among the first to buyit! ... Read more

Amazon.com
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Skiing provides all the basics to help you enjoy a day onthe slopes. Although designed with the novice in mind, this resourceful guide is also handy for theoccasional skier or the family taking its first ski vacation together. Chapters provide detailed informationon the gear you'll need (and how to get fitted for the right stuff); making turns; graduating to moguls,powder, and steep terrain; planning a vacation; skiing with children; and other forms of snow fun such ascross-country skiing and snowboarding. Read this and you won't get left at the bunny slope.Book Description

You're no idiot, of course.You've watched the winter Olympics, and as a kid, you sledded wildly down your street after a blizzard and even threw some mean snowballs. But when it comes to gearing up for the ski slopes, you may as well put tennis rackets on your feet.Don't cancel that winter getaway yet!Whether you want to ski for fun or sport, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Skiing will teach you everyting you need to know about getting to the slopes, braving the peak, and coming back down.In this Complete Idiot's Guide you get:

Customer Reviews (5)

Complete Idiots Guide to Skiing
A very elementary introduction to skiing.Only good for the very beginners.

Great for New Skiers
I've been skiing for a long time, so I don't need this book, but I think it's great for new skiers. I've given it to a couple of beginners and people who said they wanted to try skiing. It covers all thebasics--clearly and succinctly--but it doesn't overload new skiers withmore information than they need.

Great for New Skiers
I've been skiing for a long time, so I don't need this book, but I think it's great for new skiers. I've given it to a couple of beginners and people who said they wanted to try skiing. It covers all thebasics--clearly and succinctly--but it doesn't overload new skiers withmore information than they need.

First-Time Skiers Only!
The book was too simple for my tastes.I have been skiing for about a year and most of the information was way below my "beginner" level.There is really very very little information on actual skiing.Thebook basically covers the snow plow and simple turns as related to your skilessons.There were some interesting tidbits in the book but on the wholeI found it very lacking.If you have never ever been skiing and knowabsolutely nothing about it then the book might be helpful....but if youhave skiied once in your life I don't think it will be that much morehelpful.

VERY NICE BOOK FOR VERY BEGINNERS
Excellent book for someone who has never skied and is not used to snow activities.

All the basics are in there, not aiming to replace a real ski class. The author fully achieved the goal proposed. ... Read more

Book 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

Customer Reviews (3)

Sophisticated ski advice
A very practical book with a focus on the physical skills involved in alpine skiing.The best combined collection of off-hill and on-hill training exercises I've seen and, as a bonus, excellent race skill development tips from an experienced coach (who's also done it himself).If you are interested in philosophy or the Newtonian physics of a ski turn, there are other books.If you like to (or want to learn to) ski hard, this is a great book.

packed with information, highly professional, very clear
I wouldgive this book 6 stars if I could as it is the best book on skiing-related fitness I have seen so far. Written by a professional ski coach, it is filled with information starting from the body metabolism, plyometric and strength training exercises, to training which can be perfomed while skiing. All off-snow exercises which I saw in skiing videos, books, skiing journals, and on the internet are in this book. The importance of each group of exercises is clearly explained. No special equipment is required (except for the access to an average gym for strength training). The suggested training routines are based on US skiing team manuals and on over 80 references cited in the bibliography. All 200 pages are densely packed with information, all presented so well that it does not overwhelm you at all. Another aspect of this book which I liked is that the author treats the readers as intellegent people, who can put together their own training schedule according to their needs and possibilities. There is no suggested training schedules, just recommendations how much one should exercise and why not more or less than that. Although it is not a book on skiing, there are some tips on racing and ski tuning as well. This book is worth many others published on this topic, and I applaud the author for doing such a fine job!

Excellent book on training
I ordered this book because I am looking for training tips for my son -a young ski racer. The book is 80% devoted to training excercises, both on/off snow. The author is correct that the new shaped skiis have littleeffect on the validity of the training taught within. I would recommend thebook to coaches, racers, and others for whom skiing isn't just something todo on the slopes, but for whom the pursuit of maximum performance is mostimportant. ... Read more

Book Description
Discover the key to expert skiing by learning how to use your whole body when you ski! In Skiing with the Whole Body you'll learn how to let your ankles work together with your knees to achieve easy knee flexion; find the balance point for easy turning; speed up your learning by a factor of ten; and teach yourself to ski like you've always dreamed you could. This book uses Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement exercises to make learning downhill skiing fast, simple, and fun. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

You are your own best teacher!
If you love to ski and want to improve faster than traditional methods will allow, this book is for you.Rather than showing you a standard and having you try to produce the movements that meet the external standard, Mr. Heggie teaches you how to teach yourself the small simple component movements which when combined produce the desired end result skill.The lessons are easy to follow and produce immediate results.Mr. Heggie makes the book very interesting and easy to read by including real life examples of skiers that he has trained in every chapter.I would highly recommend this book for any skier to take his enjoyment of skiing to the next level. ... Read more

Amazon.com
In this bible for telemark skiers, author Paul Parker covers everything you'll need to know to free your heel. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Informative but Incomplete
I'm a long time cross country skier working on improving my downhill technique.I found this book to be well written and somewhat useful, but it's only about skiing on modern downhill-centric "telemark" skis with little camber and loads of sidecut.The techniques are quite different than those used on classic free-heel skis.If you ski on bog-standard free-heel cross-country skis, the instruction in this book isn't very helpful.The author says that cross country skis are too stiff for making turns, and leaves it at that, nevermind all the cross country skiers who turn just fine.There's a big world of freeheel skiing.This book is great within its limited scope, but doesn't cover all that its title suggests.

This book doesn't age --- it just gets a new edition
I am pretty sure a new edition will come out soon, given the rapidity of gear evolution.The basics remain the same --- the technique just gets refined and simplified over time.Except for the telemark technique, this book can be read with profit by any skier, alpine or nordic.

Truly a bible of free heel skiing
Great book that all free heel skiers should read. Eye opener is that "Telemark" is just a turn - free heel skiing is hell of a lot more. Good reasoning why you should do the tele the way Mr Parker is proposing. This book changed my free heel skiing for good.

The Bible of Learning to Telemark.
The book is wonderful.

It is abound with simple, practical, and easy to remember helpful hints;I call them little golden nuggets of information that you take with you on each run, or even turn, as you practice your downhill ski skills On or Off Piste.

It also has a wonderful introduction to the history of skiing and a very honest analysis/assessment of telemark gear.

It is incredibly suited for all beginner and intermediate tele-skiers.

it works!
Using only this book and a few random tips from strangers, I picked up telemarking in two days.(I also started with 25 years of alpine experience.)This book is clear, concise, and effective.It made all the difference in the world in getting me skiing expert trails reasonably well by the end of my second day.I am nowhere near handling moguls, glades, ice, cornices, etc., but I did have twenty or so graceful, linked turns in a steep bowl ... Read more

Product Description
The philosophy of the US Ski Team is to create good skiers first, then great racers. For use by coaches, racers and skiers. This highly interactive CD-ROM includes - How mastering these skills will improve your skiing and racing - Detailed explanations and videos of the 20 key drills used by the US Ski Team, demonstrated by Olympic and World Cup Champions - World Cup footage of these skills used in races - Templates for designing customized practice plans and training diary to track progress. All levels of racers/skiers, from beginners to experts will benefit from practicing the drills and progressions used by the US Ski Team athletes. Organized in easy to understand skill areas, the US Ski Team: Alpine Ski Fundamentals CD-ROM will help everyone to ski their very best. The USSA Sport Performance Series is specifically aimed at providing cutting edge resources, and information on "sport-specific" topics. The first three CD-ROMS in the series look at Alpine Ski Racing. Future topics will address Freestyle, Nordic, and Snowboard Fundamentals and Techniques. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Still the best all-around cross-country manual
I've been a serious Nordic skier for about 20 years, getting out every possible weekend in the winter; serious, but sort of a permanent "upper intermediate". Along the way, I've collected many cross-country ski books and guides, from the 1960s to the present.
Gillette and Dostal's has remained my favorite, and overall the most useful. It was issued by the Mountaineers press, and is better than the Mountaineers later effort. A good practical guide for the novice through intermediate, and if you have only one, this is the one to have.

For the novice to intermediate skier
Cross-Country Skiingby Ned Gillette, John Dostal will appeal to theactive person wanting to take-up the sport of nordic skiing. Why 3 stars?Because skate skiing is covered only at a novice to intermediate level (seecover photo)and would be of limited use to the more advanced crowd.

The definitive reference for classic nordic skiing
Gillette died a horrendous death in the Hinda Kush.He left behind this book and one on a circumnavigation of Everest.This was the best book for nordic skiing up till about 1990, when the current telemark equipment evolution took the sport out of its nordic contextinto the realm of pure alpine skiing.For those who still arenostalgic for skiing on skinny skis, this book is still the best.Foranother classic, see Steve Barnett's Cross Country Downhill.For the latest on telemark skiing, read Paul Parker's book on Freeheel Skiing.

excellent overview of a sport, and a good read too
Too many manuals are written without a sense of humour, but this one doesn't suffer there.The authors write in a way as to appeal and interest across all levels.This book is useful for an XC skiier to help hone theirskiing, and useful to loan to doubting friends to get them interested.

worthwhile!
Ned Gillette was a talented and experienced xc skier -- he was on the US nordic team in the sixties and ran the xc center at Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, VT in the 1980's.He also skied around the base of Mt. Everest and wrote a book about that as well, it is called Everest Grand Circle. ... Read more

Book Description
From the publishers of The Unofficial Guide® to Walt Disney World®

"A Tourist's Best Friend!"
-Chicago Sun-Times

"Indispensable"
-The New York Times

The Top 10 Ways The Unofficial Guide to Skiing & Snowboarding in the West Can Help You Have the Perfect Trip:

1. Everything you need to find the best mountain for your personal skiing or snowboarding preferences
2. Inside information on the resorts and slopes that only an instructor or longtime local would know
3. The best runs for novices, the finest trails for intermediate cruising, the best sunlit trails for late-afternoon runs, the best-formed moguls, and more
4. Detailed profiles of the best snowboard parks and skill areas
5. Advice on how to plan and get the most out of your trip- and the most for your money
6. The inside scoop on where to find the secret reserves of powder and when to ski or snowboard them
7. Proven strategies for a stormy day
8. Tips on finding the perfect hotel room, vacation home, or condo-at the best price
9. The best restaurants in ski country
10. Complete coverage of the southern Rockies, the northern Rockies, and the West Coast, including British Columbia

Customer Reviews (2)

Simply the greatest guide to snowsport resorts for the west
This is an amazing book.It covers the answers for the questions that skiers and snowboarders have prior to visiting resorts they've never been to before - what are the trails really like in detail - where can we afford to eat - what tricks are there to getting around in the resorts? -Which resort leans more to our particular skills?...and so much more...

The tips are cool, the quips are fun, and it is just so much better than those stale books that spend 2 short pages and tell you no more than a resort's website.

Can't decide where to go skiing?You need this book!
Since I live in the deep south and don't know a lot of skiers, this book fit the bill for me in deciding where and when to try my mountain legs in the West. Not only does this book describe all the major resorts in detail, but it compares them in table form one with another. If you are spending money on airfare, lodging, ski rentals, tickets ect, this book has the potential to keep you from making an expensive mistake. It also has lots of technical skiing tips also. The information is very accurate. The only thing that is sparce is individual lodging reviews. I guess that is beyond the scope of a book like this. The folks that write the book are real SKIERS, not just travel writers. I highly recommend this book, and looking forward to a new edition when it comes out.
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Book Description
Technical Skills for Alpine Skiing is an instructional book written to educate and excite parents, coaches and school-age athletes about skiing.Unique among books of this type, Technical Skills for Alpine Skiing provides readily applicable exercises and drills to enhance the performance of young skiers.Young skiers are highly motivated by their desire to free ski; ski anywhere on a mountain.They also respond eagerly to challenge and the opportunity for personal achievement.Through "directed free skiing," skiers can work toward a goal, develop a routine to encourage optimum performance, 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 thatteach and refine skiing skills in a very progressive manner beginningwith wedge turns and building to expert skiing.Hundreds of photographs,including multiple-image composites, enhance a clear and descriptive textthat is concise and easy to understand.The photographs of talentedyoung demonstrators and of the author, combined with the text, make thisbook as accessible to skiers of all ages and levels of expertise.

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

A detailed table of contents allows the reader to assess skiers'strengths and weaknesses and to derive a listing of exercises to meetindividual needs efficiently.The glossary makes sense of the wordscommon to the language of skiing.An appendix provides pertinentinformation concerning appropriate ski equipment for young skiers.Itdiscusses, among other things, the correct sizing of ski boots, skis andpoles.

True narratives precede each chapter.They relate experiences that hada 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 ofpersonal experience, and her ability to listen to children and tovisualize skiing through their eyes.

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

Book Description
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. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Fascinating read and invaluable guide--a perfect gift
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.

The backcountry skiers guide to the universe.
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.

an invaluable reference work for theski mountaineer
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. ... Read more

Book Description
This one book distills all the information you'll ever need to make your skiing ability soar! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Five Star history by a man truly in touch with the range
Teton Skiing is a phenomenal book written eloquently and comically from the perspective of a mountaineer (Tom Turiano) who has climbed and skiied nearly every peak in the range. The book is perfect for someone thinkingabout a trip to the Tetons in order to gain more insight into the historythat made it the touring site it is today, as well as, a guide to help inplanning your trip. It is also a great book for anyone interested inhistory and/or the outdoors in general. Although it is partly a guidebook,it was more intersting to me for its well researched and colorful historyof this mythical wonder called the Tetons. If you haven't been to Wyoming'sTetons, this book will make you want to go. If you have been, it will driveyou to return and discover things unseen. A book I treasure! ... Read more

Book Description
Published annually since 1929, The American Alpine Journal is internationally acknowledged as the world's finest journal of its kind. The 70th volume of climbing's "journal of record" offers the most complete picture available of the world of climbing for 1998. From articles that present the climbing possibilities of Antarctica and Africa, to stories on the new bigwall frontiers of Mexico and Madagascar, to the alpine sagas on Bhagarathi III and Khan Tengri, and the emergence of the former Soviet climbers on the world stage, the 1999 AAJ continues its tradition as mountaineering's institutional memory.

Stories include "Changabang," by Carlos Buhler; "8000 Meters and More," by Alex Huber; "Shipton Spire," by Steph Davis; and "Dhromo," by Doug Scott.Illustrated with 10 color and 150 b&w photos (35 with route overlays), plus 10 topos and maps. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

AAJ 2006
i've got them all since 1929 and they just keep getting better.2006 is no exception. ... Read more