Welcome to Louis (Lou) Dawson's backcountry skiing information & opinion website. Lou's passion for the past 50 years has been alpinism, climbing, mountaineering and skiing -- along with all manner of outdoor recreation. He has authored numerous books and articles about
ski touring and is well known as the first person to ski down all 54 of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks, otherwise known as the
Fourteeners! Books and free ski touring news and information here.
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Backcountry skiing is dangerous. You may be killed or severely injured if you do any form of ski mountaineering, skimo randonnee and randonnée skiing. The information and news on this website is intended only as general information. Due to human error and passing time, the information, text and images contained within this website may be inaccurate, false, or out-of-date. By using, reading or viewing the information provided on this website, you agree to absolve the owners of Wild Snow as well as content contributors of any liability for injuries or losses incurred while using such information. Furthermore, you agree to use any of this website's information, maps, photos, or binding mounting instructions templates at your own risk, and waive Wild Snow owners and contributors of liability for use of said items for ski touring or any other use.
Simon Dumont is probably saying the same thing about sitting next to Lou Dawson…
Hey Lou,
Talking of history…. take a look at Roland Huntford’s “Two Planks and a Passion” which has just come out. He goes right back to 3000BC and looks at the development of skiing right up to the modern day. Some astonishing stuff – did you know the Vikings invented roller skis?! Anyway, a tremendous read to learn how it all came about.
Interesting, Nick. How does it compare with John Fry’s “The Story of Modern Skiing”?
I don’t know J-F, I haven’t read it yet. Do you recommend it?
well, Verbier/Clambin is in Switzerland, not France..
Whoops, thanks, it even said that in the article. Slip of the keyboard. Fixed now.
I once nearly collided with Phil Mahre at the local ski area. I realize some of the younger readers are likely thinking, “Phil who…?”