Ski Resorts Books

Hey this is Jeff. Im not usually into romance novels, but I like to snowboard and have sex so this made sense. I loved what I read from the summary i'm totally pumped to read the real thing. Take care

If you liked Girl Cook by Hannah McCouch, then you are in for a treat! This is not "deep literature," but it is a lot of fun, and touches on issues such as finding a career, leaving relationships that are bad for you, facing up to your limitations and being proud of your strengths.

McCouch's primary gift as an author is creating a full fictional world (the professional kitchen in Girl Cook). Here, it's the ski slope. McCouch packs the novel with details about ski instructing and skiing itself that make this world full and believable.

Mountain Betty is about a girl named Elizabeth who went to a small liberal arts college, got fired, and then moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming with her married-but-separated boyfriend to live the skiing life: free lift passes, teaching lessons, and working as a cocktail waitress at the Mangy Moose. She is growing tired of working so hard just to make ends meet (barely), especially when her boyfriend is a little too fond of recreational drugs and women.

This is a lively, fun narrative written with a deft touch. McCouch has an MFA from Columbia and is definitely talented. Recommend.

I really enjoyed Mountain Betty, the character was not sure of her direction in life and an act of kindness that came naturally gave her hope for a better life. I love McCouchs writting style she is honest and very bright.

Like in her first novel, Girl Cook, McCouch invites us to take a funny and honest peek into the interior world of a young woman making her way in a male-dominated sub-culture: this time the ski slopes of Jackson, WY. McCouch's writing is smart and funny, and had me howling at her narrator's sense of displacement and her own brutal honesty with herself. Betty is a modern heroine, endearing like a good friend is endearing: human and fallible but ultimately strong and triumphant. I loved it, wolfed it down in one sitting, and will never look at ski instructors in quite the same way again!

I loved this book! McCouch writes an honest portrayal of life post-college and keeps us energized with the non-stop adventure. She handles the delicate topics of infedelity and drug use with true insight, and offers a powerful message of "girl power" in a ski resort where the testosterone is flowing.

Many in our "free" country are not free from emotional pain from the past. They are not free to act and react in ways they choose, as if an unseen grip kept them locked in patterns of behavior that are self-defeating.

Such a person is the main character of "When the Heart Soars Free." Jerry truly wants to live responsibly but unseen forces smother his best intentions. How he finds help and what he discovers about his self-defeating actions makes this book a must read. I'm ready for the sequel!

I read Kay Moore's book about a month ago and I couldn't put it down. I'm 16 and I'm a pretty big reader but When the heart Soars Free is on my top ten list. It takes so many twists and turns it is completley unpredictable! If you read When the Heart Soars Free you will not regret it. I don't want to give the whole thing away but this book is amazing!

Being an ardent reader of Christian fiction, I am continuously searching for books that are more than a "love story". "WHEN THE HEART SOARS FREE" balances the romance of young love with practical Bibical principles that must be applied to strengthen relationships. I recommend "WHEN THE HEART SOARS FREE" to anyone who has ever struggled with loss, lack of self-worth, or wondering if God cares about the events in our lives. Thank you, Kay Moore, for showing human conflicts that can be resolved through the power of God's forgiveness and love.

WHEN THE HEART SOARS FREE is an insightful book with a powerful message that can almost be read in a single sitting--it is virtually impossible to put it down until the last page is read. Kay Moore's writing style is so definitive and given to such detail that it is almost like watching a movie in your mind as you read--the rich descriptions make visualization so easy. The story is so "today" as there are people everywhere hurting in much the same way as the book's main characters, Jerry and Carol. This book is such a source of hope in the way it reveals the beauty of God's forgiveness, and His desire to "wipe the slate clean" and offer the hurting a new, fresh start. It offers hope not only to those lost and in search of meaning in life, but also to those needing to grow and mature in their spiritual walk and earthly relationships. The story is so touching and so beautifully revealed that I often found myself reaching for a tissue to dry my eyes so that I could read on. I can't wait to share my copy of WHEN THE HEART SOARS FREE with friends and family!

I am an avid reader of Christian fiction. I found "When the Heart Soars Free" refreshingly different as it deals with heart issues that are common to many of us. The salvation message is clearly presented as are ways of breaking free from emotional issues which can keep us defeated. I highly recommend "When the Heart Soars Free".

An outstanding book covering the founding and development of one of the great ski and resort areas in the country. .

The photographs alone are worthy of buying this book. There are plenty of rare b&w shots of mammoth from the turn of the 20th century on up and prime photos of the Mccoy legend. One of my favorite shots is Dave's Harley with skis strapped to it--circa late '30's! In addition, the text is nicely written giving you a sense of the key players in the development of mammoth as a ski town, mammoth in the world of ski racing, and nice vignettes on some unique things to the eastern sierra--from Schat's Bakkery to big horn sheep.

This book is awesome! The pictures are excelent and the information is great. Nice to know what Mammoth used to look like before it became the famous place that it is today.

Absolutely the most beautiful collection of photos of Mammoth and the surrounding area can be found in this book! It provides a wonderful history and insight into the creation and life of this skiing Mecca. This is a must have for any Mammoth lover!

Anyone who likes skiing will love this book. Forstenzer's familiarity with the Sierra makes it one that won't just sit around on the coffee table. He writes engagingly and tells great stories about the early days of skiing in Mammoth and its culture, how the ski area was built and some of the people involved. The photographs are astonishing and well worth the price alone, but in combination with the writing Forstenzer lets us glimpse what made Mammoth Mountain the great ski resort it has become. This is a terrific book about past and present skiing days at Mammoth. Like most any ski item associated with Warren Miller - breathtaking!

I really enjoy this book. I've checked it out at least five times. Each resort section has alot of helpful information. It makes planning a trip a breeze. David Holyoak really nailed it.

Very informative but dated. The lift ticket prices listed are significantly below the actual rate in some cases (i.e. Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Moutain). They should be updated.

David Holyoak's Ski North America Guide is first class. Nothing like this has been published before. This stocky, well-illustrated guide to all the significant North American ski resorts contains intelligent, un-flowery text and good practical advice. A must for any skier or snowboarder seeking the reality behind the American dream, I wish I'd written it myself.

Arnie Wilson, ski author and editor, Financial Times ski correspondent for 18 years who, in 1994, became the first person to ski for 365 consecutive days (Guinness Book of Records), including more than 100 resorts in North America

This book by far surpasses excellent. If you are planning a ski trip and are interested in going somewhere new this book seems to have it all. It lists every major ski area in the United States. Every ski resort mentioned is chronicaled by state and gives you area and mountain facts and most have their trail map pictured as well. It also lists local airports, directions from most areas to the ski resort as well as lodging suggestions. I could go on and on about the other little tidbits within the publication but you'll just have to read it yourself.

Being new to the States as well as a crazy skier I spent hours on the net trying to collect information about different resorts. This book is the first, and so far the only book, that gives very detailed, professional overview while providing non-biased information about resorts. I visited many resorts in the States in the last 2 years and compared my impressions with the reviews in the book - you can relay on the book! Great advantage of this edition is a an amount of illustrations such as aerial photos, maps of the area, etc. I wish there will be similar book about skiing in Europe.
On the down side I would expect more info about resorts on the NE (for example, my favorite Whiteface is not included).

In The Cool Mountain Cookbook: A Gourmet Guide To Winter Retreats, Gwen Walters prevailed upon twenty outstanding ski lodge resorts from around the country to provide more than 150 delicious recipes that can be easily duplicated in any family kitchen. These wonderful dishes are augmented with up-to-date travel guide information on accommodations, rates, and activities. There are beautiful color photographs of both the food and the lodges. From Spring Onion Risotto with Tomatoes and Almonds (Plumpjack Squaw Valley Inn, CA); Spicy Meatloaf with Caramelized Onions (Sundance, UT); and Warm Chocolate Tart with Banana Compote (Lodge at Vail, CO); to Lemon Poppy Seed Waffles with Strawberry Mint Sauce (Lake Placid Lodge, NY); Chile-Encrusted Pork Tenderloin (Vista Verde Guest Ranch, CO); and Huckleberry Creme Brulee (Spring Creek Ranch, Jackson Hole, WY), The Cool Mountain Cookbook is as much fun to browse through as it is to prepare a meal from!

This is a marvelous cookbook/travel guide. It's gorgeous to look at, full of engaging descriptions and great color photos of both the retreats and their food. The information provided is well laid out. Broken down by state, each section features 20 top-notch winter retreats and a sample of their breakfast and dinner menus (recipes included in the book are marked with an asterisks). Finding a recipe is easy as the table of contents is broken down by recipe category and a "thorough" index is provided.

When I first glanced at the pictures showcasing many of the recipes, I was a tad intimidated. My style of cooking is casual while what I saw fell in the realm of chic plated fare. To my delight, Mrs. Walters and the retreat chefs have converted their goodies into achievable recipes for the home cook. Except for the rare use of an unusual ingredient like elk loin, the only other consideration is time. A few of the items, especially from the dinner menus, may take awhile to prepare. Caramelizing the onions for "Spicy Meatloaf with Caramelized Onions' takes an hour but the results are more than worth it. Use her suggestion and make them a day ahead to save time.

I had no trouble preparing any of the recipes I did try and the results were delectable. "Chocolate Volcano with Raspberry Coulis" looked complicated yet was easy to make and impressive. It was also scrumptious! "Roasted Rosemary Red Potatoes" are easy to make and addictive to eat. Flip them once during the baking time to get them good and crispy.

These are good fall/winter recipes that will get you through a day of skiing or snowshoeing.

The pressure is off. I've found the perfect gift for my sister-in-law on her upcoming birthday. An avid skier as well as a lover of fine food, my sis-in-law is sure to adore "The Cool Mountain Cookbook: A Gourmet Guide to Winter Retreats" by Gwen Ashley Walters.

When the book arrived, I leafed through its pages and found them as inviting as a down comforter on a snowy night. Detailed stories about the 20 featured ski lodges supplied me with miles of satisfying armchair travel. I knew that my sis-in-law had been to a few of the featured resorts and I imagined her reading the book, revisiting them like old friends. For those she hadn't yet experienced, Walters helpfully supplied addresses, as well as information about accommodations and activities.

Walters' evocative descriptions make the reader feel at home before he or she arrives. This passage about the Strater Hotel in Durango, CO made me feel as if I were a guest at this historic hostelry. "The rooms have diaries for guests to jot down their thoughts and experiences. Page after page tell of special moments remembered by couples, families and travelers. In another time, you might have spotted Bat Masterson polishing his six-shooter or Louis L'Amour penning a new western novel, as both were guests of the hotel."

Postcard pretty photographs of resorts transported me from the classic colonial Equinox in Vermont to the rustic chic of Deer Valley Resort in Utah. But it was the gorgeous color photographs of dishes such as Three Onion Tart, Chorizo and White Cheddar Breakfast Burrito, and Honey Soy-Glazed Chilean Sea Bass with Ginger Butter Sauce that sent me rushing off the slopes and into my kitchen.

First up, Orange Mustard Pork Tenderloin. Huge, huge hit with the family. I sometimes skip marinades to save time and this recipe proves what a big mistake that is. Soaked in a mixture of Dijon mustard, olive oil, garlic, orange juice, herbs, spices, and a few other goodies, this pork was absolutely succulent. A definite keeper recipe.

An oven-roasted Tomato and Avocado Soup sounded just right for the next sample (after all, I wanted to make sure my sis-in-law would like her gift). Just the aroma of the Roma tomatoes baking in the oven with fresh basil, fresh tarragon, and fresh parsley was worth making this dish.

Some overripe bananas dictated the next recipe choice. Banana Chocolate Chip Bread was a snap to whip together and bake in a loaf pan. Seasoned with a bit of orange zest, it was the pinnacle of yumminess.

I could tell from the glitch-proof recipes that Walters, a professional chef and Certified Culinary Professional, had worked hard to translate these chefs' creations into home-cook user friendly recipes.

At this point, "The Cool Mountain Cookbook: A Gourmet Guide to Winter Retreats" is becoming a bit creased and there are all those stickies marking recipes I still need to try. And, darn it, my sis-in-law's birthday is fast approching. If I give her the book, how will I find out for myself which chocolate dessert-the Warm Vahlrona Chocolate Tart, the Chocolate Volcano on page 132, or the Warm Chocolate Cake on page 140-is worthy of a serious chocoholic's attention?

I may just have to purchase another copy for her birthday gift--while I further explore the "The Cool Mountain Cookbook: A Gourmet Guide to Winter Retreats" for more tips on my favorite winter sport: dining on fabulous fare in front of a roaring fire.

This is so much better than your average ski history.

It covers a time when the hardcore ski community was much smaller and tighter than today, and all of the pioneers of skiing were finding their places to make ski areas. Tremendously real, told in the words of the pioneers themselves, this is just fantastic reading. Probably the most wonderful aspect of the book is how well it goes with the actual experience of being in Taos Ski Valley today, many of the subjects of the book, including the editor, are easy to find in TSV, going about their daily business. The experience of reading this book, then seeing it all come to life in front of you is spectacular.

The incredible life of Ernie Blake and the desire to celebrate his wonderful legacy may have inspired Rick to start this project, but the finished product turned out to be much more than just a book about a fascinating person and a wonderful ski resort. This is by far the most comprehensive collection of ski lore (complete with accompanying photography) that I have ever had the pleasure to peruse, most of it directly transcribed from personal interviews with those who were the midwives at the birth of lift-served skiing in North America. If you have any sense of history and have enjoyed making turns on snow, this book should be in your collection.

This book contains incredible interviews with skiing legends along with wonderful pictures illustrating the history of skiing. I found that I did not want to put the book down, both because it contains skiing history as told by the participants and because the writing holds your interest. It is really a shame that the author did not film the interviews, because it would have made an outstanding documentary.

I've been a sugarloafer since 1964, the year I was born. Though out my life. I have heard the stories of Amos Winter,transporting my Mom and Sisters(filliettaz family) up the access road in old army ambulance. Seasons tickets for a family $60.
Skiing has always been part of my life, now with this book were able to connect both generations of skiers. thank you MR. Christie

I got this book as a gift. The history of this fantastic mountain unfolds from the beginning and keeps the reader engaged throughout the book. The price is worth the photos alone. J. Christie not only captures the essence of Maine, but also the mystique of this truly unique place.

" Outstanding ". I grew up at Sugarloaf and my Dad knew all the players in the book, including the writer. I remembered some of the best times of my life when reading this. I gave a copy to my Dad and he wept. He is 92 and wishes he could still ski. It brought back great memories for Dad and my Mother.

I was sad to learn that this priceless book is now out of print. It is honest, accurate, and first-hand in its content, and it is organized in a marvelously useful and clear way. The reviews of pistes and of non-skiing facilities are right on the mark. Our ski trips in North America and Europe have made it possible to know how accurate the descriptions in this book really are. The comments directed at various kinds of skiiers are most helpful. The cost of a ski trip is not trivial, and this book can help you to get the best bang for your buck. We hope that this series will be resurrected and made into an annual VERY SOON!!!!

I have followed these authors from their original project (The Good Skiing Guide) to 'Where To Ski' and they really tell it as it is. The layout of the book is very attractive and clear and better still they preface each ski region reviewed with a good points/bad points summary which makes reading about areas that your not really interested in very quick and informative (I found Ischgl by this process of reading ALL the summaries in every country).

I have skied in many of the resorts listed and I can't fault their opinions anywhere. Apparantly the authors do not anticipate writing a new edition. Why not? This is my ski bible.

If you love skiing, and you are a ski nut like I am...... Then this is the book for you. It has it all, The best is that this book does not lie. It is like a SKI BIBLE of the world. I recoment it to any skier who plans on skiing Europe. I did only after I read "Whare To Ski - The Up-To-Date resort gide"

Living in North Lake Tahoe for over 33 years cross-country skiing has become one of my great passions. In the winter months I spend four to five days a week skate skiing for fitness and pleasure. After all this time I figured I knew just about all I needed to about the ski areas in and around my home, but was I wrong. A short time into Tim's book I had already gathered new information and ideas for some exciting excursions both close to home and a day trip away. I would recommend this informative, fun book to both experienced and novice cross-country skiers. Also, if you have thought about cross-country skiing but haven't had the chance to try it, this is also the book for you. It will help you make some good decisions on where and how to start this great sport. Now, get out there and have some fun!

With brevity and charm, Hauserman shares his thorough knowledge about local and regional cross-country ski areas. (There are 13 between Mt. Shasta and Yosemite.) Anyone yearning to get out there on skinny skies - either as a novice or as a veteran looking beyond the everyday workout - should buy this book. For beginning skiers, Hauserman breaks down the complexities of this oft-misunderstood sport and tells where to get more help on the web or at local ski shops when you need it. For veterans, he provides ski maps, directions, resort highlights, activities and even a little natural history. The chapters and guide entries are straightforward. During his two-plus years of field research, Hauserman explored thousands of kilometers of trails and ate in every resort restaurant (for research, of course!). He checked out local lodgings and interviewed managers and local skiers. The end result is a book that clarifies details and whets appetites for the best of the Sierra Nevada's groomed resort terrain.

What's a biofeedback practitioner to do when a conference honoring your field's Jonas Salk (who gropes you in a hot tub with his wedding-banded hand) becomes a bloodbath on skis, you're under suspicion for murder because your scarf apparently strangled one of the victims, your entire vocation comes under attack by fanatic fellow doctors, and all the while your cheating ex-husband and homicide-cop love of your life insist on making your emotions spike off the EEG scale?

If you're biofeedback practitioner and heroine Carrie Carlin, you "get your kicks out of livin' dangerously" (as anti-biofeedback antagonist Flo Zimmer says), act like a lightning rod for assassins, and stick your nose in where it doesn't belong. When people around married but roving-handed conference honoree Dr. Hubert Freundlich start dying, it's up to the much-suspected much-shot-at Carrie (whose scarf puts her under suspicion) to unravel the mystery on the Vermont ski slopes. In true amateur-detective fashion, Carrie proves she's earned her PhD (Plucky Heroine Degree) by uncovering a killer you only begin to suspect the second half of the book. The killer's motives are real, human and even understandable, but still despicable.

The secret is truly juicy, but plays second fiddle to Carrie and her engaging, endearing personality, her devotion to her children, her sparkling commentary, and her marriage dilemma with sexy-but-flawed cop Ted Brodsky, who tries to protect her despite herself. A fun page-turner.

This year the annual International Association of Biofeedback Practitioners is being held at the Snowridge ski resort in Sunnyville Vermont. The attendees include Carrie Carlin, who has a small practice in Bergen, New Jersey. She is particularly excited about this conference because the guest speaker, Dr. Hubert Freundlich, has made a significant breakthrough in the field, one that Carrie can use in her own practice.

At her first meeting with Hubert, he makes a pass at her in a hot tub filled with people, one of whom is his wife. At lunch the next day his assistant, Charlie Anders drunkenly hints that he has something on the good doctor. Shortly after that, he is murdered and Carrie gets involved when it's is discovered he was wearing her scarf. It turns out that her friend Dr. Joe Golden had the scarf in his possession and was going to give it back to her before it mysteriously disappeared. Joe also got into a fight with the victim one hour before he was killed but Carrie is sure he is innocent and intends to prove it over the objections of her significant other because he doesn't want her to be used as bait by an overzealous policeman.

This amateur sleuth tale showcases a heroine who is prone to take risks even when she is only indirectly involved in a homicide investigation. She is exasperatingly stubborn and so good hearted that readers find themselves rooting for her and wanting her to back off while also feeling sorry for her lover who has to put up with her. Nancy Tesler knows how to write an extremely exciting who-done-it that can't be put down.

Harriet Klausner