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Summary: "Coleman's examination of the history of western skiing and its evolution from a method of transportation to a vast industry supporting a significant portion of the region's economy is both important and a good read. The story of skiing operates as a perfect example of something we perceive as frivolous turning out to be deeply emblematic of modern American culture."-Western Historical Quarterly "Coleman, a graceful writer, breaks a fresh trail through deep powder snow with this history and analysis of the ski culture."-Journal of American History "An imaginative and lively history of skiing in the Rocky Mountains. . . . This book connects the story of skiing in Colorado to the larger issues of the twentieth century: the expansion of the West, the development of a leisure economy, the importance of consumerism, the construction of identity (both personal and regional), the growth of a mass media, the cult of celebrity, and the role of youth culture. At the same time it is rich in detail, full of the kinds of specifics that recreate for the reader the ski towns and the people who lived there. Coleman has mined a wide range of sources-business archives, local historical societies, mass-market publications-and weaves them together in a well-written and illuminating narrative. This is a book that students, scholars, and skiers will all find important and instructive."-American Historical Review "Coleman has written more than a traditional history of the sport. This is the first book to seriously delve into skiing's collective beliefs, internal norms, and the underlying practices of the hobby. . . . Coleman is interested in who skis, why they do it, and how they perceive themselves. Her approach combines the methods of anthropology, museum studies, sociology, and history, and the book's sources include ski brochures, interviews, artifacts, old photos, |
