While not specifically about skiing history, Forest and Crag contains a wealth of information about the people and history that formed the basis of recreational skiing in the mountains of the Northeast. This book is especially interesting for backcountry skiers that spend more time hiking than skiing. The Waterman’s are highly regarded as the foremost experts on the history of hiking and mountaineering in the Northeast. Both authors draw heavily on extensive and well documented research. First ascents and first summits are detailed in addition to the development of the various trail systems of the Northeast. People and places come alive in vivid detail due the high quality of the authors’ prose. Knowing the history of the mountains only increases one’s pleasure while recreating amongst them. Highly recommended.

Hal Clifford takes aim at corporate ski resorts and their effect on the ski industry and the environment in his hard hitting title. Clifford’s books should be read in conjunction with other titles detailing the complexity of corporations and short term interest on share holder earnings instead of long term stability, profitability, environmental soundness, and community involvement. Such titles I would recommend include The Corporation, Corporation Nation, and When Corporations Rule the World which all detail the history, issues, and problems surrounding how the United States government and judicial systems have chosen to build its economic system based on the publicly owned and traded corporate institution. Downhill Slide looks most closely at the homogenization of large scale resort companies that hurt local towns and economies while attempting to side step and challenge environmental standards. Ski Corporations focus mainly on short term profitability and stock holder satisfaction which promotes an unhealthy corporate climate less likely to care about the local towns, environment, and long term sustainability. If you appreciate the classic family own skier experience and are concerned about large mega ski resort companies and their effects on the ski industry, local ski towns, and the environment, this book is a must read.

David Goodman’s pair of Backcountry Skiing Adventures books are the essential backcountry guides for skiing in New England and New York. However, for backcountry skiing off the beaten path in the White Mountains, the AMC White Mountain Guide should not be over looked and the topo maps are indispensable. I recommend purchasing the weather proof Tyvek version of the AMC White Mountain Maps either in addition to or instead of the guide depending upon your need for information and desire to have quality maps survive in the field. There are plenty of lesser known backcountry destinations in the Whites and many require travel in the White Mountain trail network to access. The topographic maps alone should provide many sleepless nights of route planning and imagining.

In this short and concise self published effort through Authorhouse, former pro-bumper Dan DiPiro describes in pictures and words proper mogul technique for all skiers. Although the book is written towards a zipper line mentality, the basics and foundations of proper bump technique are the same whether you hammer the zipper line, enjoy naturally formed bumps, or have only dabbled into the bumps occasionally on the side of groomed trails. DiPiro is highly critical of the PSIA and any other person or organization that advocates applying traditional “race technique” to bump skiing. DiPiro includes one or two cheap zingers against racing in general. However, DiPiro mostly stays on topic in delivering the proper bump techniques needed to successfully navigate any bump line with style and ease. Every skier that desires to be an “All Mountain Skier” needs to have a variety of techniques available in their skill set for various conditions and terrain challenges that the mountains present. DiPiro’s excellent book provides a great foundation for unlearning bad habits and understanding the correct techniques unique to mogul skiing that every skier should develop.

Recently revised and split into two volumes, David Goodman’s Backcountry Skiing Adventures are the indispensable guides to backcountry skiing and riding in New England. The two books remain essential guides for numerous classic backcountry ski tours and a solid introduction for any aspiring backcountry skier or rider. Once the decision has been made to earn turns, the snowy hills become an boundless and limitless playground in which ascents and descents are only limited by imagination and determination. The gates to adventure and powder bliss are thrown wide open and you no longer allow ski areas to dictate the length of your season. The solid foundation that David Goodman provides offers everything from a gentle introduction on flatter locales to above tree line madness accessed by nearly 10 mile approaches. An essential pair of guides for any backcountry skier, Backcountry Skiing Adventures comes in two volumes: Vermont & New York and Maine & New Hampshire. Happy turn earning!