If you’re looking for a good read while you’re off the slopes, check out My Life in Winters: The Extraordinary Tale of One Man’s Journey Through the Rise of the Ski Industry by Mike Ewing. Released earlier this year, the book dives into the modern history of the North American ski industry. It’s a great read for someone who wants to learn more about North American ski resorts, gear, and the Olympics.
Mike Ewing grew up near Monarch Mountain in Colorado and got to collaborate with many members of the 10th Mountain Division. Over the following fifty years, he would work various positions in Colorado, Washington, New York, and Montana. He earned a fifty-year ski instructing pin from the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) in 2021, but he has also worked as a ski patroller and a salesman for various brands like A&T Ski, Lange Boots, and K2.
My favorite chapters were his stories of ski patrolling during the first years of Vail Ski Resort, his experiences at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, and the winter that Mike spent traveling around the various ski resorts in Montana. He gives a unique perspective on North America’s modern ski history because he was on the frontlines for much of it.
You can purchase the book here.
