Skiing Books

Tao of Skiing provides a comprehensive insight into the technical aspects of modern cross-country skiing, where the secrets are in the basics and the way (Tao) is in the correct preparation and execution of the details. The information is an expos? of key information from the world of elite xc skiing which is designed to fast track the development of specific skills and fitness. Beginners and Experts will benefit from the richness of ski tips, generous use of photos and intelligent explanations. An excellent tool for coaches and instructors. The definitive multimedia reference on XC skiing (300 pages).

Since its release in December 2004 this self-published book has achieved the remarkable milestone of having been reprinted three times and has sold over 8,000 copies. When one considers that statistics show that only 5 percent of the books listed on Amazon will sell 5,000 copies, you can appreciate the mountain that First Tracks had to ascend (and ski right back down) to surpass that mark.

With little or no media hype and a shoestring budget, the success of First Tracks can largely be attributed to its realism and the quality of this beautiful picture book. Written and illustrated by skiers for little skiers, First Tracks can be read to a child before he/she has ever tried skiing in preparation for that first time, or sent home as a memory of the good times on the slopes. Its family-centered theme is a fun, humorous read meant to reflect just how much fun the sport of skiing is.

Ski instructor and illustrator, Jeff Teaford, uses colorful illustrations to capture the innocence on the face of the central character as she contemplates her first time on skis and masterfully conveys her concentration as she snow plows (makes pizza) for the first time. Plus, her older brother learns to snowboard! Finally, the entire family shares the day together on the slopes. This is a family skiing story the way it should be when families actually go skiing. It truly is an adventure to be shared and shared again.

For little skiers aged 2-7

Ron Kipp, Director of Athlete Preparation for the USST, said: “The Reids relay through their love of skiing and teaching a technique based on what works not what ought to work. This book is worthwhile reading for the Week-end Skier as well as the World Cup Ski Coach.”

To paraphrase Henry Bendinelli, Director of the Skikats Ski Club: Our week-long trip was an ideal “laboratory” to test your technique for 26 skiers of widely differing abilities. It was resoundingly obvious that they ended up skiing beautifully, much better than they had ever skied in their lives.

Tom Humphrey said: The continuing evolution of various techniques has added bits of pleasure along the way but none has been so Soul-Satisfying as the SWEET SCHWOOSHING SKI STYLE of Duncan and Betty Reid. What a gift! What a Godsend! Who would have believed that, at my age, I could become a better skier than I ever was in the heyday of my youth. Yet, I am. What a pleasure!

Jo-Ann said, “I feel I have so much better control of my skis I just start skiing much faster. No longer do my friends have to wait for me as I go schwooshing by.