Powder Burn by Daniel Glick recounts the story of an arson at the Vail Ski Resort of Colorado and its impact, fallout, and effects on the community. The arson occurred in 1998 on the eve of a disputed expansion into terrain possibly containing a nearly endangered species of lynx. Glick writes in a “whodunit” style but the title takes off as the story sidetracks into unexpected directions. Vail Associates pissed off the entire community of residents dependent on the mountain for their livelihoods. Meanwhile, the culture of multi-millionaire second and third home jet setters sparks interesting research into the causes, effects, and ramifications of an über rich upper class culture taking over a working class ski bum town.

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John Fry’s numerous years in the ski industry (specifically publications and magazines) has provided a wealth of knowledge about the sport and recreational activity of skiing. What was to become The Story of Modern Skiing was originally pitched to publishers by Fry as a memoir of his experiences in the ski industry. University Press of New England had a different idea and directed Fry to draw on his vast experiences to write a comprehensive history of modern skiing from the North American perspective.

The book is well arranged and somewhat linear despite the historical range of some topics which suggests editorial genius to keep the narrative linear. A brief introduction on how skiing made its way to North America begins the book; however, most of the history details skiing from the beginning of lift serviced skiing via rope tows onward. All aspects of the sport are detailed from equipment, technique, and teaching through competition, resort development, alternative and so called extreme pursuits, and the industry and business of the sport. The major personalities to effect the sport are sprinkled throughout the book where appropriate with colorful commentary.

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While reading a book is no substitute for avalanche courses with certified professionals, the foundation of knowledge about the science of snow provided in Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain is invaluable. Tremper’s excellent guide about how and why snow moves provides a strong foundation for backcountry adventurers that often find themselves in avalanche terrain. However, the book is no substitute for field experience, courses with professionals, practice, and continued studies. The ultimate rule of avalanche terrain is that if you have to use rescue devices, you have already failed regardless of the search and rescue out come. Knowing how to assess conditions and the human element is the best method of preventing avalanche accidents short of avoiding the terrain completely.

While this is not your typical book on Avalanche safety, the stories of Jill Fredston may just be exactly what over ambitious snow sport adventurers need to read to get scared straight. Snowstruck details Jill Fredston’s experiences as a foremost authority on avalanches in Alaska. Fredston’s knowledge, experience, and expertise is in heavy demand during the North American winter which often involves death and tragedy. After reading Snowstruck, I got the feeling that is the type of Job Security most people would not want.

Jill Fredston and her husband Doug Fesler are drawn to the magical white death both by its beauty and the tragic consequences of others’ bad decisions. The book details the lives of Jill Fredston and Doug Fesler including how they met and formed an inseparable partnership around the most tragic of winter accidents that claim dozens of lives every year. Several aspects of how avalanches impact outdoor enthusiasts and communities are detailed including skiers, hikers, road slides, housing destruction, community development, snow mobilers, and snow boarders. An excellent read that will give any one entering into avalanche terrain a second thought knowing the potential devastation and human tragedy of bad decision making.

Nicolas Howe’s eminently readable Not Without Peril does not strictly deal with skiing, but is packed full of history about Mount Washington. Much of that history is vital to mountaineers and backcountry skiers that visit the rock pile for earning turns. This richly researched book details several cases of outdoor recreationalists that decided to undertake an outing on Mount Washington that turned tragic and often fatal. Each case is meticulously reconstructed from start to finish by Nicholas Howe who uses a wealth of research to walk the reader through the most likely course of events based on recorded evidence and known details.

Recreational skiing only entered the Mount Washington scene during the past one hundred years with widespread use of the ravine only developing in the later third of the time frame covered by Not Without Peril. Despite only a few brief accounts of skier mishaps, backcountry skiers will gain invaluable wisdom about not challenging Mount Washington when the weather and/or snow conditions are not favorable. Turning back should always be the first option considered when plans go bad.