Product Description
Martin Volken and his co-authors provide skiers with all the tools and knowledge they need to safely and successfully travel in the mountains. The guide features intermediate-to-advanced techniques for ski touring and ski mountaineering, from planning wilderness trips to perfecting turns in rolling terrain and mastering uphill climbing. For those skiers ready for a more technical, high alpine environment, they draw on traditional mountaineering skills, including roped climbing, setting protection anchors, using ice axes, climbing on bare rock, and more.

In addition to mastering techniques, Backcountry Skiing also features information on recent evolutions in ski equipment; avalanche safety tips; a primer on mountain weather and glaciers, trip planning tools, a discussion of emergency situations, nutrition and fitness advice, and winter camping basics. Throughout this guide, a special emphasis is put on being well-informed and making good decisions-whenever you strap on your skis and skins and head out into the backcountry. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

darn good info
Great information for skiers who are just starting out to those wishing to improve their game.Detailed tips from very experienced skiers, as well as fun, informative photography.Totally recommended.

good refernce book
this book is like a small dictionary defining various aspects of skiing.It has the different types of skiing that can be done, along with the equipment that is neccessary for that type.The book shows various examples of bindings for tele skiing as an example.I have been wanting to get into ski mountaineering and this book helped me form an opinion on what type of skis i need to purchase and what further equipment or training i would need

Volken, Schell, & Wheeler have an instant Classic!
This new "Backcountry Skiing" guidebook is destined to become a classic in The Mountaineers Books collection ... one that will be considered an indispensible reference in the libraries of mountaineers, skiers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes.Authors Martin Volken, Scott Schell, and Margaret Wheeler have each guided ski tours in the Alps throughout Europe, where Ski Mountaineering has been popular for quite some time ... and have introduced their clients to the famous summits of the Alps, as well as the local peaks of the Cascade Range.We have a large number of Alpine Climbers in the Pacific Northwest, many of whom may find that their "next step" is Ski Mountaineering ... thanks to the information in this new and comprehensive guidebook.The large number of excellent pictures makes the text all-the-more understandable.Those Reviewers preceding me have already given a good account of some of the specifics that they've found valuable ... so I won't elaborate here, except to say that the information on avalanche safety is invaluable for ANY one who ventures into the backcountry.We have lost nine lives to avalanches in Washington State already in this season!The authors of this guidebook are Instructors of the AIARE courses, and are passionate about personal safety above all else. I've already sent copies of this "new classic" to some of my best friends!Armed with the knowledge from this book, the readers can venture into the backcountry with newfound confidence and enjoyment of a sport that is bound for increasing popularity worldwide.

Great Book
This is a great book.It allows beginners to develop a good base of knowledge and provides a great reference for those with years of experience.It is exactly what we have come to expect from the Mountaineers.

Good Primer, But Not The Definitive Handbook
This probably is the sixth of the Mountaineers Outdoor Expert Series books that I have purchased as published by the Mountaineers Books.As with those other texts, I was able to learn some things and was surprised and disappointed at the information which was not covered.This book is no exception.

On the positive side, there is very good instruction on roped skiing and on situations requiring belay stations and stances with skis.The avalanche safety section is good, but not definitive.The strong point of this book is the techniques for skiing in various terrain, along with the transitions that inevitably occur.For this, I would say this is one of the better, more up-to-date instructional books.

A big disappointment comes with the lack of depth in discussing the merits of various gear options.For example, in the beginning there was a brief illustration of the history of telemark vs. alpine touring setups, followed by a bare discussion about the merits of each.This fundamental question is then quickly dismissed simply by the statement "the best answer remains to choose the right tool for the job, or quite possibly to go with whatever style you prefer."That completely misses the point on why someone would buy this in the first place; these experts should give much more information to the reader before the readers embark on the very expensive quest to discover this for themselves...the reason for an "expert" series in the first place.

Another example is their discussion on ski weight.It starts out good, but then the authors punt again by saying "Shop at a store where the salesperson can answer technical questions and can point you in the right direction for your intended application."But isn't this the reason one would buy this book??Having very frustrating experiences with so-called "expert" salespeople in many of these stores leaves much to be desired, which is why I would like the opinions of the experts who wrote this book.This punting on fundamental gear questions grows tiresome quickly...

There is no discussion on the merits of wax or XCG/Crown/Fishscale means of level or uphill locomotion.And there is nary anything about using mountaineering boots in conjuction with ski setups...only an acknowledgement that you can.These examples of lame treatment of important gear questions frankly minimizes the utility of this book.Certainly, the authors have an opinion about such things; the reason people like me buy books by experts is to read their reasoned opinions.This gives nothing of the sort in order to be "gear" neutral (a sort of "political correctness" imported to an "expert" book so as to perhaps not offend any company or various gear afficionados...)

A second and larger disappointment is that this book deals minimally with hauling gear for winter camping/expedition purposes.For all intents and purposes, this book should be entitled "Day-Trip Backcountry Skiing" because there is hardly anything referring to the load-carrying complications of overnight and/or expedition-type traveling.There is no instructions on how to rig a pulk/sled, or how to rig a backpack even for overnight use.Absolutely nothing on winter camping after the skiing, which to me is the essense of ski mountaineering.

In sum, the good technique instruction in this book is worth the purchase price.But this definitely is not the definitive Ski Mountaineering book...if this is what you are looking for, you might need to look further...I'm still searching. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Musings on the New Edition
I admire Goodman's writing, and know him to be a fine fellow through a number of mutual friends.

I take issue with some of his additions in this edition. What is lost when a guidebook editor includes the quieter backcountry skiing routes, that, until now, have required diligent poking around, asking of questions, and exploring online? A lot, I think. King Ravine is a great example. I skied it first a number of years ago. The careful exploration of the area, the discovery of such fabulous skiing, was all part of a process that was educational, challenging, and enlivening to the soul. That's lost now. King Ravine will be busier, too, if by simple dint of the fact that detailed information is now widely disseminated. I've skied in King Ravine every year for the past decade. I'll be interested to watch the uptick in numbers.

It's clearly his right to publish this information, of course. I just question his choice to do so. Those new backcountry skiers who are willing to dig around for info, explore areas and be amply rewarded have lost that opportunity. The steady erosion of opportunities to be rewarded in backcountry exploration is, I think, a loss for all of us.

Is that a hopeless cause? Not necessarily. When Backpacker magazine asked me for my favorite spots to hike as part of the omnipresent "favorite hikes" article, I selected a few, fabulous areas that already had significant traffic, but might not be well-known. The result? The truly quiet, beautiful spots are still just exactly that. They live on, as places for rich discovery by future hikers. It's possible, if we each exercise wise discretion.

Let me end on a positive note. I've seen an advance copy. I know it's a great guidebook, so I'll give it five stars. It's thorough, thoughtfully written, accurate and useful. I just hope that future guidebook editors everywhere will look in their hearts and consider the loss incurred when they shine a bright light on remote locales. ... Read more

Product Description
Utah skiers claim to have "the greatest snow on earth," and this revised and updated edition guides readers to the best backcountry ski tours in the state. Backcountry expert Tyson Bradley takes skiers from the urban backcountry of the Wasatch Front to spectacular desert destinations in Zion and Bryce, with detailed maps and information on backcountry equipment, techniques, and safety. Ski Utah!
... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

great if you're serious about the backcountry
I recently moved from MT to Utah and I love going into the backcountry with my splitboard (and a buddy/shovel/probe/transceiver/avalanche report of course!).This book describes in great detail what the terrain is like (both in terms of steepness, difficulty and avalanche danger); what time of the year is best to hit a particular area; and which are the best approach routes.

it is what it says
This book is outstanding. It has maps, trails, distances and times, difficulty, and best descents for pretty much every mountain in UT. If you've seen a coulier that looks intriguing it most likely has a description of it. A great guide for anyone looking to get out, intermediates to extremely advanced.

Great off-the-beaten-tract ski tours
I'm very pleased with this guide book. It's taken me to many places I would not have thought to go ski touring. Whenever our small group of ski tourers gets tired of the tri-canyon SLC area, we break out Bradley's book and head someplace new for the day. It's a must have for the serious Utah ski tourer. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Bible for its topic
This book does a very good job covering exactly what described by its title, no less, not much more. If you know how to x-c ski, it provides all the information you need to enjoy many backcountry tours in Maine and New Hampshire - from history, clothing and equipment, safety to detailed information of 26 tours (e.g. map, distance, elevation, difficulty level, etc.) The author undoubtedly best suits writing such book because the book is about his passion.

What would add significant value to this book is a large color topographic map similar to AMC's winter tails map. ... Read more

Product Description
A comprehensive guide to backcountry skiing in Northern Colorado, with more than 100 tours and trails for all ability levels, from novice to advanced to expert. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

For the passionate ski tourer
Wow. Almost ten years since someone wrote a review of this excellent book.

In the 20 years since this book has been written, the Colorado backcountry in winter has become more popular for snowshoeing and AT/tele "big bowl" skiing.

The simple joy of ski touring has become a lot less popular.

This book is aimed at people who enjoy being out on skis all day and traversing through the winter landscape.

The tours range from novice tours that let people get their ski legs to tours where a person should be knowledgeable and comfortable deep in the Colorado backcountry. Many of these tours will take you off the beaten path and into places where few skiers go (or anyone for that matter).

The book is sans color photos and other pretty accouterments of more recently published books. These "features" are often better for impulse purchases than for actual information.

It is a "Just the facts ma'am" approach that is effective:
A brief tour description, mileage and elevation gain, directions to the TH,maps neededand a rating of the skill level of the tour. Each tour is pictured on a large scale topo map that will give you a general idea of the tour itself.

The only slight downside of this book is that in a few places, access issues have changed since the book was published (e.g. Mammoth Gulch).

With nearly 150 tours listed, it is indeed a book for every "serious front range backcountry skier".

Essential for the Colorado Front Range backcountry skier
This book contains easy descriptions of touring and trailheads within day-trip distance of the Denver area.While the "extreme" backcountry skier may find that most tours described lack the desiredexcitement, there are still quite a few gems, and for the more classiccross country skier this book cannot be beat.Check out Dawson's guide to14ers for the death-defying routes, but this book has everything to keepmost skiers entertained.Most of the expert terrain described requireslong approach routes, but every serious front range backcountry skiershould buy this book without question. ... Read more

Product Description
The High Sierra may well be the world's consummatemountain range for backcountry skiing and snowboarding. BackcountrySkiing California's High Sierra provides in-depth information on avariety of day tours and multiday journeys, including the Sierra Cresttour and the popular Mammoth to Yosemite route. Over 60 challengingpeak descents are also described. This is the perfect sourcebook forplanning your next winter trip to the Range of Light. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

backcountry skiing
This is a good guide for those that are experienced at backcountry wintertravel.He shows several routes and peak descents,and rates them accordingto difficulty.There is some basic information on winter travel, includingsnow camping and avalanche safety, but you would be wise to study thesetopics further before attempting any of these routes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Superb resource for skilled skiers, get away from the crowds
This is a superb resource for skilled skiers who would like to get furtherinto the backcountry and escape the crowds of intermediate skiers whothrong to the easier, more well known spots.The Seattle backcountry skicommunity considers this book to be the premier guide for the area. Friendshave been known to steal their friends' copies.Burgdorfer makes it clearthat this book is for those who already know what they are doing.Itincludes tours that have been removed from newer books and excellentspecific information on local snow, avalanche and weather conditions. Learn how to figure out where to ski on Saturday by paying a littleattention to the weather during the week. If you are lucky enough to find acopy don't loan it out or you may never get it back! ... Read more

Product Description
Plunging through deep powder, reaching high and wild mountain summits, the thrill of flying down a trackless snowy mountain, the solitary pleasure of traveling in the winter mountains - this is the world of Backcountry Skiing Adventures.

This book features two dozen classic ski and snowboard tours, including the highest peaks in Vermont, New York, and Massachusetts, the best snowboard routes, with equipment and backcountry riding tips, topographic maps and photos to accompany each tour, information on avalanche awareness, winter camping, gear, safety and first aid. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Bible for its topic
This book is the younger twin of Goodman's other book on this topic for Maine and New Hampshire which I also gladly own.

It does a very good job covering exactly what described by its title, no less, not much more. If you know how to x-c ski, it provides all the information you need to enjoy many backcountry tours in Maine and New Hampshire - from history, clothing and equipment, safety to detailed information of 22 tours (e.g. map, distance, elevation, difficulty level, etc.) The author undoubtedly best suits writing such book because the book is about his passion.

What would add significant value to this book is a large color topographic map similar to AMC's winter tails map.

It also covers one tour in western Massachusetts.

Great book for cross country and telemark skiers
This is a great book if you are looking for a guide to some of the best cross country and telemark trails, however since i was looking for more of a downhill backcountry guide, this is not really what i was looking for, but it is still a very informative and well written book.

An absolutely user friendly outdoor guide
A superbly presented compendium of two dozen classic ski and snowboard tours throughout the states of Vermont and New York, David Goodman's Backcountry Skiing Adventures offersthe best routes, equipment and backcountry riding tips; topographic maps and photos for each tour; information on avalanche awareness, winter camping, gear, safety, and first aid. This absolutely user friendly outdoor guide is a "must" for anyone planning a skiing or snowboarding excursion in Vermont or New York. Also very highly recommended is the other title in this outstanding Appalachian Mountain Club "Backcountry Skiing Adventures" series: Classic Ski and Snowboard Tours in Maine and New Hampshire. ... Read more

Product Description
The mountains around Lake Tahoe have attrackted skiers for ages, even before the advent of rope tows and chairlifts.
Benefit from the knowleged that local skiers have accumulated for decades by open to the pages of this guidebook and studing the topographic maps and reading the accurate description of over 50 'sans piste' runs without the resort boudaries limitations.
Be careful, be informed and ski within your own limits. Have a good time. ... Read more

Product Description
A manual for skiers who want to get away from crowded downhill slopes and groomed trails of cross-country resorts. Covers entire range of options that take the skier away from developed areas. Detailed techniques and learning strategies for Nordic and Alpine skiing for every level of experience illustrated with drawings and precise diagrams.Covers winter camping, self-reliance, snow structure and behavior, and coping with avalanche hazard.Author is a leading teacher of wilderness sports. Other books include "Wildwater: The Sierra Club Guide to Kayaking and Whitewater Boating". ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

chock-full of information; buttoo heavy for the pack
I've skied most of the routes in this book, since I picked it up in 1990.The trail info is great - complete and reliable. However, there is toomuch historical and contextual information. I love to read it, but I hateto carry the extra weight in my pack. I suppose I could photocopy thespecifics, or acquire an extra copy and rip out the needed sections. Buta small-format book, much like a serious climbers guide, would be muchbetter.(P.S., when's the new edition going to come out??)

This is definitely the best backcountry guide I've used.
I've skied many of the trails,following Goodman's extraordinarily detailed descriptions. It is wonderfully written with terrific suggestions and leads. My goal is to complete each one of his recommendations.Each one, so far, is a winner. ... Read more

Product Description
Just an hour east of Seattle, Washington, Snoqualmie Pass provides easy access to rugged glaciated mountains with deep snow and terrain for anyone with strong intermediate to expert skiing skills. Here are the couloirs, the pristine open slopes, and the tree skiing that can only be found outside ski area boundaries.Swiss mountain guide, ski mountaineer, and author Martin Volken supplies information on twenty-eight single-day and multiday excursions, plus "The Forbidden Tour," a bonus tour located in the North Cascades. Rip planning, avalanches, and the duration of ascents and descents are all covered. You'll discover: easy-to-use statistics for tour length, duration, vertical relief, and the level of required fitness; the best time of the year to ski different routes; the essential equipment needed for backcountry skiing, alpine touring, telemarking, and ski mountaineering; a trip-rating system to aid in planning; maps, elevation profiles, and photos.(6 x 9, 168 pages, b&w photos, maps, charts) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A great guide for Seattle skiers
Martin does a great job of documenting ski explorations around Snoqualmie Pass.There are lots of options in this area and, as usual, most of us have just scratched the surface.There is also some good information about longer overnight tours at the end of the book. ... Read more

Product Description
The complete and authoritative guide to Colorado back country skiing and snow boarding centered around Aspen, Colorado. The book includes classic terrain on Independence Pass, the Elk Mountains (including Marble and Pearl Pass, and McClure Pass), and north into the inner reaches of the Fryingpan River drainage. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Lou Dawson at his best.
No other backcountry skier has carved as many turns in this region as Lou Dawson.Furthermore, he has dedicated himself with the same level of perfection to assembling useful guidebooks, and COLORADO BACKCOUNTRY SKIING is the latest in a long line of classics.The maps are the best I've seen in any guidebook, the photographs are both art and information, and the text infinitely more revealing than that found in his predecessor guidebook, Colorado High Routes.This is a book useful for novices or extremists, afternoon tours or day-long descents. As if this isn't enough, with inimitable style, the trademark Dawson storytelling and insight gained from over three decades of hard-won backcountry experiences makes this book transcend the genre. ... Read more

Product Description
Backcountry skiing and snowboarding is the fastest growing outdoor winter sport in North America, and California's Eastern Sierra is one of the most dramatic and historic venues in which to experience this amazing activity. While toiling up a mountain in the winter with skis on your back just for the sake of one run down may seem like a lot of work to some, those who have had even a small a taste of this sublime pursuit will be hooked forever; endless untracked snow, astounding views, a great workout, time spent in the wilderness with friends, and the unparalleled exhilaration of pointing the tips of your skis or snowboard over the summit of a great peak define it as poetry in motion.
Dan Mingori and Nate Greenberg have been backcountry disciples of the Mammoth Lakes, CA, area for many years, and have compiled an epic list of descents and advice in their new guidebook Backcountry Skiing California's Eastern Sierra, 166 Ski and Snowboard Descents in the Range of Light between Tioga Pass and Bishop Creek. Dan is a dedicated split-board snowboarder and photographer, and Nate is a knee-dropping telemarker who helps run the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center.
The best backcountry skiing in the Eastern Sierra is centered on the town of Mammoth Lakes, and Dan and Nate have made sure that nothing is left out of the broad area covered in the book, extending from Tioga Pass in the north to Bishop Creek in the south. From the backyard runs on the Mammoth Crest to the roadside accessible Tioga Pass, and the epic wilderness peaks like Mt. Tom and Laurel Mountain, this guide serves as both the ultimate introductory resource and the experienced hard-man's hit list.
The book is printed in color, 240 pages, and packed with useful information. It includes scores of annotated color topographic maps and hundreds of color photographs. The authors give a written description for each approach and descent along with useful statistics for gauging conditions and seriousness, including the slope, aspect, and angle, vertical gained and mileage of the approach, and a seriousness rating.
The extensive use of color action and peak shots makes this book an incredible exposé of the Sierra in winter. Regardless of skiing ability, any mountain enthusiast will drool over this book. It will set the bar for generations of backcountry ski and mountaineering guidebooks to come. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Arguably one of the best CA backcountry ski guide books.
Much work and editing went into creating this well-illustrated backcountry ski book. The vernacular "backcountry skiing" encompasses both AT-skiing, telemark-skiing and split-snowboarding.

This book addresses wonderful and challenging routes in the Sierra. Attempting any of these routes need to be taken very seriously by the prospective winter adventurer through avalanche preparedness, physical training, and common-sense. Many of the routes may require proper rope handling and climbing experience; these are only for the most-experienced. This book is one of the most attractive I have seen in a while and well worth it's $29.00 stamped cover price. I do not know if the book continues to be in print, so I would leap at an opportunity to purchase it if you have a chance.

Great Companion Book
I love the southern sierras. It's always great to see what other people see in the mountains. This is a great book for those seeking out new and exciting lines. Don't be stupid and die out there.

Pricey But Worth IT
Even if you never get to the Eastern Sierras this book it still worth reading just to drool over the mountains and the runs. There are a few adds in the book (something very comman in the EU) but they do not detract from the book. There are routes from the deadly to the basic. As the suthor states there are routes for skiers snowboarders and even fruit booters (a rather unkind refference to people that use short skis) a great book over all.

By the way.... Fruit Booters Rule ... Read more

Product Description
This guide is a passport to portals of adventure, fun, and Winter outdoor pleasure--a sampling of the best of the west of Massachusetts. Come put your foot in the door of the great outdoors! Welcome to the super, natural theme park that our Algonquin predecessors called the "land of many hills." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Some decent XC & BC tours but no telemark tours.
This is a decent guide for those looking for places to ski the ungroomed, but there are scant tours for the "touring for turns" set. The directions on how to find the starting point sometimes presume localknowledge of the towns or detailed street maps, but the tour directions areusually clear. ... Read more

Product Description
Alpine skiing (or "downhill skiing") is the sport of sliding down snow-covered hills on skis with fixed-heel bindings. Alpine skiing can be contrasted with nordic skiing, in which skiers use free-heel bindings. (Types of nordic skiing include cross-country, ski jumping and Telemark.) Alpine skiing may take place at a ski resort where mechanical ski lifts have been installed to transport skiers up the mountain and where snow is groomed, avalanches are controlled and trees are cut to create trails. Alternatively, alpine skiers may pursue the sport in less controlled environments; this practice is variously referred to as ski touring, backcountry skiing or extreme skiing. The sport is named for the European Alps where it originated in the late 1880s. Today, it is popular wherever the combination of snow, mountain slopes, and a sufficient tourist infrastructure can be built up, including parts of Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand, the South American Andes and East Asia. ... Read more