Explores the combined phenomena of skiing, tourism, and architecture from a national perspective. Focusing on destination ski resorts in New England, the Rocky Mountains, the Far West, and southern Canada, Smith examines the architecture of recreational skiing from the 1930s to 1990, showing how small, family-operated businesses evolved into the massive, theme-oriented, multipurpose ski establishments of today.
Day care, gentle slopes, supportive ski instructors, and entertainment and activities for non-skiers--these are all important aspects of a family ski vacation. This guide selects the ski resorts across the United States and Canada with the best features for parents and kids alike. Travelers will also find details on how to get family packages, choosing a resort, buying children's equipment, and packing for the trip.
This ultimate skier and snowboarder bucket list, from celebrated runs in Alta, Utah, to the challenge of Switzerland's 4 Vallees races through 100 energizing snowy experiences for all levels. Filled with beautiful National Geographic photography, wisdom from experts, need-to-know travel information, and practical tips, this inspirational guide offers the planet's best ski and snowboarding experiences on breathtaking slopes around the world. Complete with a foreword from celebrated Olympic alpine skier Lindsey Vonn, 100 Slopes of a Lifetime is divided by interest and skill level: cross-country routes to intermediate downhill moguls to expert-only backcountry terrain, skiers and snowboarders will find the perfect destination for their dream terrain. From dreamy Colorado escapes to Hokkaido, Japan, where Siberian storms dump more than 60 feet of snow every year, you'll find countless slopes to add to your bucket list from the wilds of Alaska to breathtaking Morocco. Plus find plenty of apres ski activities including: Getting up close with elk in Jackson Hole Trying Europe's longest toboggan run Or sampling the Dolomite's finest cuisine) Grab your skis or boards; this comprehensive and innovative guide will lead you to experience the greatest snow-play adventures the world has to offer!
Hobson gives readers the insight of a pro who knows every slope from base to summit. He tells which ones are the best and why, all about the lodges, the restaurants, and the hottest spots to see and be seen apres ski. Also included are maps and information on cross-country skiing and other winter sports available in each area.
Downhill skiing is a vital economic engine for many communities in the Rocky Mountain states, attracting 20 million skier days per season. Colorado is by far the most popular destination, with more than two dozen major ski resorts creating a thriving industry that adds billions to the state's coffers. But, many ask, at what cost? Michael Childers traces the rise of Colorado's ski industry alongside that of the burgeoning environmental movement, which sprang up in opposition to rampant commercial development on mountains that had been designated as public lands. Combining official ski resort figures, U.S. Forest Service documents, real estate and tourism records, wildlife data, newspaper articles, and public comments, Childers shows how what started as an innocent leisurely pursuit has morphed into a multi-billion dollar business that forever changed the landscape of Colorado and brought with it serious environmental consequences. This first environmental history of skiing in Colorado traces the recreation's rise in popularity as a way of examining major changes in public land management in the American West during the last century. As more people headed to Colorado's mountains in search of thrills on the slopes, the USFS quickly became overwhelmed by the demand and turned resort development over to the private sector. The result has been a decades-long battle between developers and environmentalists-with skiers and Colorado residents caught in the middle. Childers examines the history of the ski industry within Colorado throughout the twentieth century along with the challenges the industry's growth posed in balancing the private development of public lands and mounting environmental concerns over issues such as rural growth, wildlife management, and air and water pollution. He then traces the history of radical environmentalism back to the 1960s to show how it picked up momentum, culminating in the Earth Liberation Front's 1998 arson at Vail Ski Resort--which ended up doing more harm than good to the environmentalist cause by recasting the mega-resorts as victims and turning public opinion against all environmental activists in the area. As Americans weigh their desire for fresh powder against their concern for protecting unspoiled lands, Childers's book provides valuable food for thought. Colorado Powder Keg opens a new window on the history of skiing in the American West as it adds to the broader debate over the management and purpose of national forests.
Complete and up-to-date information on the 28 best North American ski resorts. From Vermont to Vail, this revised guide reveals the best ski holidays this season. Covers downhill runs from novice to expert, childcare facilities, lifts, equipment rental, accommodations, restaurants, and more. 43 photos. 29 line drawings. Maps.
