Skiing Manual: Getting Started: Equipment, Techniques, Safety, Competition, Paperback

The Skiing Manual offers instructions on technique and skills from an author with over 30 years of skiing experience. It will cover every type of skiing from cross-country to mountaineering, highlighting the important differences between genres. It explains the clothing and equipment required for every type of skiing and, of course, the skis, boots, bindings and poles, as well as skills, snow science, and safety and rescue. It's presented in colour with easy-to-follow step-by-step sequences and a wealth of inspirational action photographs.

• History of skiing - from prehistoric travel to Olympic competition
• Clothing and equipment for all types of skiing
• Learning to ski - carrying and putting on skis, choosing a ski school
• Life on the hill - what it's like on the mountain, how to buy a lift pass, and how to get around in the snow
• Skiing technique - from snow plough turns to extreme skiing
• Ski lifts - the different types, and how to use them
• Types of skiing - cross country, telemark, freeskiing and adventure skiing
• Mountain safety - avalanches, precautions, equipment and rescue
• Ski culture - Caf culture and apr s skiing
• Ski travel - skiing around the world, and how to get there
• Competition disciplines - downhill, slalom, giant slalom and super G, jumping, freestyle, cross country (and biathlon)

Bill Mattos has written numerous books and hundreds of magazine articles, mostly on canoeing, kayaking, skiing and other adventure related matters. He is slowly fulfilling an ambition to paddle on every continent and in every ocean. He's competed in a wide variety of disciplines, including to World Championship level in Kayak Freestyle and Pilot Gig Racing, has won National and Eurocup events including several times the prestigious Bitches Rodeo in Wales, and has surfed the fearsome Teahupo'o wave in French Polynesia, which had never before been ridden by kayakers. Bill has worked as an engineer, rigger, designer, stuntman, actor, model, company director, photographer and videographer, all providing varied input and inspiration for his first love of writing. He currently lives in the French Alps where he can be found on the water almost every day, albeit often of the frozen variety. For more information check out billmattos.com