Customer Reviews (2)

biography Gretchen Fraser
This is what the U.S. ski team needs-- someone like Gretchen Fraser.

Biography of an American ski racer and humanitarian
This is a book for any aspiring Olympian.It tells of the early days of skiing in thr United States up to the present time.If you love skiing, ski history, and the people who made the sport, this is a good read.It has won two awards and is the only book published on the life of Gretchen Fraser, America's first gold medalist in Olympic skiing. It's written by multi-award winning ski writer, Luanne Pfeifer of Sun Valley. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

a fine book on pre-season ski conditioning
This book is a clear, easy to follow manual how to get to prepare yourself for a skiing season. While my personal preference goes to "Performance skiing" by George Thomas, which I rated six stars in my review for its information content, the simplicity and efficiency of "Ski shape" warrants its high ranking. It is a large format book on 120 pages, printed in very large fonts, with lots of large pictires and huge margings. The publishers obviously did not care about preserving the forests on our planet. Although due to empty and helf-empty pages and huge typeset there is not so much information in the book as it appears at first glance, it is still enough to get the readers fit for the season. The book contains a very well designed and illustrated pre-season training program, which includes warm-up exercises, stretching, weight training, and power (plyometric) training such as jumping. There are also recommendations for on-snow warm-up and even on the best type of food to eat on your skiing trip. Each exercise is illustrated by a photograph, which is great (actually, this was one of the primary factors why I rated it five stars). Another good aspect of the book is that every exercise is explained in terms of what muscles it trains and how it is beneficial for skiing. This book is like an introductory session with a fitness trainer - it takes 30 minutes to read, you do not learn a lot of high science, but you get a clear picture how you should proceed with your training. Unless you are curious what the other training options are, it has all you need to get started. ... Read more

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Product Description
The feel of fluffy snow beneath your feet, the adrenaline rush of speeding downhill, the exhilaration of a completed run-winter sports enthusiasts know just how exciting Skiing and Snowboarding can be. A Basic Guide to Skiing and Snowboarding will improve your skiing savvy, whether you're just starting out on the slopes or you're already testing your strength and agility in slalom, aerials, and moguls.

This unique volume offers helpful advice on choosing the skis, boots, bindings, ski poles, and clothing that are right for you. You'll also find specific guidance on choosing suitable gear for Nordic and Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Just a basic data and info book
It talks about who the great athletes are in skiing and snowboarding, as well as some really basic information of the sport. For example, it tells you that a ski binding is for holding the skis to the ski boots and for releasing the skis when during a fall. Yeah, unless if you find this information almighty valuable, don't buy this book. This book is not a how-to guide, although the book's back cover seems to claim that it will tell you how to improve your skills on slalom, aerials, and moguls. Buy any other book but this one.

Great book to learn about the sport!
A good book for people who are just getting started.

A worthless book
This book was obviously rushed into print to be on the shelves during the Olympics. I just scanned the cross-country section, and it's full of errors, outdated information, bad pictures and confusing instructions. I didn't look at the rest of the book, but I doubt it's much better. ... Read more

Product Description
Take your skiing to a new level! High-Performance Skiing(Second Edition) will raise your ability and enjoyment to new heights with expert instruction for the slopes. Inside you'll find:

•more than 100 technique photos and tips for handling the steepest slopes, biggest moguls, and deepest powder;
•the latest breakthroughs in ski equipment;
•conditioning programs for greater strength, flexibility, and skiing endurance;
•racing strategy and performance tips; and
•suggestions for using ski classes to maximize your skiing.

Whether you're looking to polish your skills, get into racing, or add some new tricks to your repertoire, High-Performance Skiing (Second Edition) has it all. Fitness and skiing expert John Yacenda teams up with former U.S. World Cup Coach Tim Ross to help you get the most out of your skiing. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

one of the few
There are few good ski books aviable for someone who wants to improve their skiing, but this is one of them. Not for the novice, but ideal for the intermediate to advanced skier. It greatly helped me with my GS training and off piste skiing. ... Read more

Product Description
Alpine Achievement is the first and only book to fully cover the sport of disabled alpine skiing—a sport that offers people with disabilities an opportunity to gain mastery over their bodies and enjoy the thrill and excitement of skiing alongside their able-bodied counterparts.

The book chronicles the history of disabled skiing from its beginnings in post World War II Europe to its current status as both a recreational and elite competitive sport. The reader will learn how members of the U.S. Disabled Ski Team overcame their physical disabilities to become elite athletes on the number one disabled ski team in the world. The author also covers the evolution of adaptive equipment and the scoring and classification system used in disabled ski racing.

Combined with an extensive appendix listing ski areas offering adaptive skiing, equipment manufacturers, and resources, Alpine Achievement is a must read for ski enthusiasts, rehab professionals, people with disabilities, and anyone interested in supporting disabled skiing as a volunteer, spectator, or behind-the-scenes fan.

A portion of every sale directly supports a member of the USDST. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A Can Do book........ Yes!!!! 10 stars
Hope people don't assume this is a book ONLY for those who are disabled, because it isn't. And shy 200 pages it packs a lot of information into the pages. Everything from the history of disabled skiing, to the evolution of equipment that the skier uses.

Then there is the sections on skiing blind, above the knee amputees, arm amputees, those who ski mono and those who want to do so for pleasure as well as competition.It also talks about NASTAR , whichis the acronym for the National Standard Race and is the largest public recreational grassroots ski race program in the world, developed in 1968.

This year over 100 ski area courses are scheduled to have meets.

On page 105 the author notes (and I agree) "Anyone who enjoys skiing knows the pleasure that comes from being out in fresh mountain air, viewing the surrounding landscape from ski lifts and mountaintops, and the feeling of wind brushing across your face as you glide across the snow covered hillside. Skiing also improves strength, endurance and balance, which is especially beneficial for people with disabilities."

There is a healthy size glossary of terms at the back of the book along with pages 141-178 dedicated to names, addresses and other contacts for ski areas in all ski states. As well as information on how to get involved.

This is a book I am getting my library since I want more people from my community to know that just because they or a family member or friend is in a wheel chair or otherwise disabled doesn't mean they cant take part in winter sports!

a book about heroes
First time author Lori J. Batcheller has worked up an eminently readable history book & catalogue of the who, why, what, when & how of Disabled Skiing.

From how Disabled Skiing got it start after WWII to the legends in the sport, athletes, coaches, sponsors & supporting staff, to classifications & training schedules, this book covers it all.

ALPINE ACHIEVEMENT is an exciting, exhilarating, informative edition to your sports library.

The story of the courage and spirit of the Disabled Ski Team

This is the story of the often unbelievable feats, courage and spirit of the United States Disabled Olympic Ski Team.It is a comprehensive history of those diasabled persons who have overcome and adjusted to obstacles of great magnitude, and become first rate athletes.An enjoyable read and a resource for anyone who is interested in, or wants to know more about, the necessary adjustments required of a blind skiier, for example, or a one-legged person--as well as the history of disabled skiing; chronicling its beginnings from shortly after WWII to the present.

Read about the prosthetic and adaptive equipment made available by various equipment manufacturers, as well as the efforts of rehabilitation professionals and volunteers.

This is a well-written account, easily worth five stars.

Joseph Pierre

For anyone with an interest in skiing in general
Alpine Achievement: A Chronicle Of The United States Disabled Ski Team by Lori Batcheller is the first book to thoroughly chronicle the history and sport of disabled alpine skiing. From the inception of this activity in Europe after World War II down to the present day, and with an especial focus on how the U.S. Disabled Ski Team triumphed over their disabilities to become high-caliber athletes, Alpine Achievement is as much a story of hope, success, and making the most of oneself as it is a story of sport on snowy slopes. Alpine Achievement is highly recommended reading for anyone with an interest in skiing in general, and disability rehabilitation/athletic competition in particular. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

For Advanced Skier who wants to Advance
The best book I have read on how to ski in difficult snow, and different techniques of advanced skiing. Explains what you do in simple no nonsense terms.

Made me a better skier just trying out new things. Made me moreaware,and brought new chalanges to my skiing. ... Read more

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Discusses the equipment, training, and maneuvers used in freestyle skiing, a sport recently added to the winter Olympic competitions. ... Read more

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Product Description
Endorsed by the Association of Ski Schools in Great Britain, this is an updated edition of this volume for young skiers and novice adults. Coverage includes the history and development of the sport, its equipment and terminology, techniques, tutorial guidance on types of snow, safety and diagnosis of potential problems. A ski resort guide and photographs of star performers are included. ... Read more

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In Terrain Skiiing, innovative instructor Seth Masia offers tactics for mastering the endlessly varied mountain environment. This invaluable guide addresses individual problems faced by skiers of all skill levels, helps readers gain confidence in all types of skiiing conditions, abd opens up an exhilarating new world of skiable terrain. 126 photos.Amazon.com Review
Written by a ski-school instructor, Terrain Skiing will help skiers of all ability levels (and especially intermediates) adapt to ever-changing terrain situations and snow conditions, and ski with confidence and skill. If you want to ski challenging slopes like an expert--or simply master the intermediate trails for optimum enjoyment--consult this guide before your next trip to the mountains. ... Read more

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

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Understanding the properties of snow and how it changes and interacts with the skis will help you appreciate the special phenomena that occur at the triple point, where the solid, liquid, and vapor phases coexist. You'll learn about alpine, cross-country, and speed skiing techniques, wax performance, and you'll get scientific data that is not readily available on the technical specifications and performance of ski equipment.

About the Author:David A. Lind is Professor of Physics at the University of Colorado in Boulder. He has been both Chairman of the Department of Physics and Director of the Nuclear Physics Laboratory, which he organized when he came to Colorado in 1956. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Poorly written
I go skiing at least once a year; I am also a University lecturer in Physics. I bought this book several years ago with the expectation that it would be a fascinating read. Unfortunately, it has failed to "grab" me. Some of the problems are fairly minor: for instance, the illustrations leave a lot to be desired. The references are often not just outdated but also obscure. For example, the main reference to the phase thermodynamics of water is a "US Army Corps of Engineers Special Report No. 81-6" - surely, a more widely-available, mainstream reference could have been found for such a textbook topic! Other problems are more fundamental: (1) The book lacks a unifying approach and a discussion of the basic concepts (this was also pointed out by one of the other reviewers). As a result, it reads more like a collection of disjointed technical notes than a book. (2) It fails to provide any insights into the practise of skiing beyond what one would pick up from a private lesson with an instructor.I am really not sure, what kind of target audience the authors had in mind when writing this book. But I do know that it has not been useful to me either as a skier or as a Physics lecturer.

lots of data; lack of concept; slightly out-of-date
I am a firm believer that understanding of the mechanics of a carving ski and of the forces transferred between the skis and the skier as he makes his way down the slope are necessary to better understand why one or another skier's action may help to intiate a turn, or shorten its radius, or, in contrast, will lead to a skidded turn. "The physics of skiing" is the only book I could find which addresses the mechanics and physics of skiing. It starts with the physical properties of snow and its formation in the atmosphere, then discusses the properties of snow equipment (mostly downhill skis, briefly snowboards and cross-country skis), and then goes into dynamics of gliding, wedging, and carving. The book is written as a college textbook with numerous (although fairly simple) equations and diagrams of forces. It requires a sufficiently strong background in physics. Although it contains a large amount of interesting data, I was not quite satisfied with it for two reasons. First, it lacks a concept. It is more a review of different literature sources on skiing-related topics than an analysis combining understanding of physics of skiing with a discussion of how this knowledge is applicable to modern skiing techniques. It provides the readers with the background theory, but does not lead to any suggestions how to benefit from this understanding and improve their skiing technique. Too bad that the authors did not have a good ski instructor in their company to make the book more useful and down-to-earth. Secondly, since it is based on references published between 1977 and 1997, part of the discussion is more applicable to the old almost straight skis than to modern supersidecut skis.

Want to Know about Skiis and Snow? This book will tell you
As a ski instructor the subject of how and why these damn things work as well as how to set up your skiis has always been of interest. This book will give you 95% of the answers to those questions. The book covers down hill, cross country as well as a catagory called adventure skiing. I will be ordering extra copies to give to my skiing friends
W. E. M. ... Read more

Product Description
Utah is known for having "the greatest snow on earth," and this comprehensive guide provides all the details you need to make the most of your vacation.

From listing by terrain types to tips and tricks at each resort, this book explores skiing and snowboarding in Utah in exceptional detail and provides the insight you need to enjoy everything the mountains have to offer. Full-color throughout. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Not a criticism piece.
I do not like writing my own reviews but I have to respond to the completely unfair comment by the "Doctor" below. The book is not a criticism piece but a guide to help tourists to find their way around each of Utah's 13 resorts. Trail maps are easily accessible, change from year to year and provide a very limited view of the actual terrain. The book is designed to help people navigate each ski area and get comfortable with the terrain. Most people who come to Utah visit one or two locations, ski three or four runs they know are safe and leave. There is a lot of GOOD about each spot and this book is about making the most of a vacation.

If you are going to any of Utah's 13 resorts, this book tells you a lot more than what a trail map provides. I skied and snowboarded at each resort and tried to give you a good idea of where to go on the mountain based upon being a first time visitor. Moreover, the book provides tips on how to save money and offers a good overview of what each resort offers. Most professional reviewers have found the book to be a great way to familiarize yourself with Utah's resorts. In fact, read the review below by the Midwest book review.

I know each resort intimately and I know where they have their faults. However, how is this data useful to people and what would be achieved by writing something critical? I take offense on the "Rainbow and Unicorns" comment for trying to show each resort's best side. In reality, any person with half a brain will recognize that each spot has its faults. I simply am trying to help people have a great vacation, understand what each resort is focused on doing well and have a lot of fun during their visit to Utah!

In addition, I have gotten lots of great comments from people who love the book for exactly the reason he describes. People love it as a keepsake for their vacation and for the great photographs. They are taking it home to share a bit of their vacation with friends and family and find the book fun! I am always open to criticism and believe book is exactly what is represented by the text here on this site.

Nothing more than PR
I just returned from my first visit to Park City -- and it was great! This book, however, is terrible. I purchased and read it prior to my trip and, aside from a few attractive photographs, this book provided nothing of value. The so-called 'reviews' of the resorts are nothing more than rainbows-and-unicorns PR talk -- the author cannot come up with a single critical comment about any resort or about skiing in Utah. Don't get me wrong: I'd recommend a visit to Utah for skiers too, but in a "guide" to ski resorts I'd like a lot more candor, honesty, and, geez, how about reprinting a few trail maps or something useful? This book is utterly lacking in all of the above. I really hope that the author got free season tickets for basically writing 100% positive reviews of all Utah resorts. To those planning a trip to Utah: just check out the resort's own websites, they are far more revealing than what is offered in this book!

A superbly organized and profusely illustrated to guide Alpine, Nordic, and Telemark skiing
A superbly organized and profusely illustrated to Alpine, Nordic, and Telemark skiing, along with several other increasingly winter sports such as snowboarding, "Utah: The Complete Ski & Snowboard Guide" by skiing and winter sports enthusiast Michael Fine provides the reader with all the information necessary to enjoy memorable winter athletic activities whether as a recreational weekend or part of an extended winter vacation in the mountains and high valleys of Utah. Accessible organized to be thoroughly 'user friendly', aspiring skiers and winter sports recreationists will learn of each major Utah resorts' terrain type, as well as such amenities as restaurants, rentals, transport, and more. Thirteen Utah destination resorts are showcased and range from the Alta Mountain Resort to the Wolf Mountain Resort. "Utah: The Complete Ski & Snowboard Guide" will prove an invaluable, essential itinerary planning resource for enjoying Utah's winter sports resources and opportunities.

Utah: The Complete Ski & Snowboard Guide
The author actually went to every single resort in Utah last year and wrote about his experiences. Mike Fine is a long-time Utah resident and an avid skier. The book is very helpful for non-Utah resident skiers at any level to find a resort that will give them the most of what they want out of a skiing vacation. It's even helpful to a local seeking a day trip to a ski resort he either hasn't tried, or has not been to for a long time. It's an absolute must for anyone looking to ski in Utah. ... Read more

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This new (1992) edition of the step-by-step course in skiing skills features changes in the design of ski equipment and clothing, new material on teaching children to ski, and information about the new sport of snowboarding.2,000 diagrams and photos. ... Read more

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Mastering alpine skiing can be a long and bewildering pursuit given all the factors to be discovered and tamed. 'How I Ski' dissects expert skiing into a handful of movements and focuses that when integrated produce fun, fearless and exciting skiing. Its aim is to provide maximum understanding of expert ski technique per minute of reading time. ... Read more