An incredible sled-dog race through the Alaskan wilderness and a stunning journey of discovery and survival from the author of the beloved Hatchet.

Fueled by a passion for running dogs, Gary Paulsen entered the Iditarod--the eleven-hundred-and-eight-mile sled-dog race through the Alaskan wilderness--in dangerous ignorance and with a fierce determination. For seventeen days, he and his team of dogs endured blinding wind, snowstorms, frostbite, dog fights, moose attacks, sleeplessness, hallucinations--and the relentless push to go on. Winterdance is the enthralling account told by the best author of man-against-nature adventures writing today (Publishers Weekly).

Winner of the U.P. Notable Books Award (2024)

Through the years, the challenge of powered transportation in the snow has been met with ideas from explorers, creative inventors and small companies, all with new ideas - often unique and sometimes successful. The name snowmobile was trademarked in 1917, but there were snow travel ideas before that date and certainly thousands more since.

Winter explorers and trailblazers sought to replace their dogsleds and snowshoes as they explored difficult locations, including remote locations, on the north and south poles. Early inventors of snow vehicles often scavenged parts from many mechanical devices, trying many power and propulsion methods, from 2- and 4-stroke engines to air propulsion, and even a snow biting screw auger concept.

The snow travel ideas from some early inventors were simply designed to solve their own needs; others came from entrepreneurs who believed folks would be impressed and want to buy their creations. Some of their ideas evolved into companies such as Polaris, Arctic Cat and Ski-Doo, which prospered and now can trace their roots back to that first snowmobile idea.

Make It Go In The Snow provides a fun look at the history of a few of the many thousands of snow travel ideas and those enthusiasts who gave them birth. Captured and recorded are a wide variety of snowmobile ideas, without offering judgment on any individual venture. Join me as I pay tribute to all those ideas; past, present, and future. But keep watching, because more snow excitement is waiting to be created.

I have read many snowmobile books over the years, and I believe Larry Jorgensen's was very informative and easy to read. It shows that Larry has done an excellent job researching information. I have recommended Make It Go In The Snow to all my snowmobiling friends, I look forward to handing out copies to them at Christmas. -- Daniel C. Blaney, Antique Snowmobile Museum, Morocco, Indiana.

Michigan plays a minor yet important part in this detailed history of snowmobiles. The first snowmobile was created in 1913 by a Ford dealer in New Hampshire. He took the rear wheels off a Model T and replaced them with dual wheels covered by tracks and replaced the front wheels with skis. He patented his invention and called it a snowmobile. A company later bought the patent and made 3,500 kits a year. As the author makes it abundantly clear, over the years backyard tinkerers, high schoolers, and just guys with a vision created snowmobiles of all shapes and sizes. If you have any interest in snowmobiles you're going to ski-doo through Make It Go in the Snow. -- Tom Powers, Michigan In Books

Jorgensen purchased his first snowmobile in 1967. Subsequently, he joined a snowmobile enthusiast group and participated in long-distance rides. The most notable was an endurance test from Fairbanks, Alaska to Seattle for the new Allsport Tracker. Pabst Brewing Company contracted him to create its programs for recreational snowmobiling and racing. He's also served on the board of the Central Division of the United States Snowmobile Association (USSA). So immersed in the activity has he been that when one of his children, then a first grader, was asked what her father did, she replied, 'He snowmobiles.' And now he's written of them as well and included a concluding chapter telling of various snowmobile museums he's discovered around the country. -- Helen V. Hutchings, SpeedReaders

From Modern History Press

Through the years, the challenge of powered transportation in the snow has been met with ideas from explorers, creative inventors and small companies, all with new ideas - often unique and sometimes successful. The name snowmobile was trademarked in 1917, but there were snow travel ideas before that date and certainly thousands more since.

Winter explorers and trailblazers sought to replace their dogsleds and snowshoes as they explored difficult locations, including remote locations, on the north and south poles. Early inventors of snow vehicles often scavenged parts from many mechanical devices, trying many power and propulsion methods, from 2- and 4-stroke engines to air propulsion, and even a snow biting screw auger concept.

The snow travel ideas from some early inventors were simply designed to solve their own needs; others came from entrepreneurs who believed folks would be impressed and want to buy their creations. Some of their ideas evolved into companies such as Polaris, Arctic Cat and Ski-Doo, which prospered and now can trace their roots back to that first snowmobile idea.

Make It Go In The Snow provides a fun look at the history of a few of the many thousands of snow travel ideas and those enthusiasts who gave them birth. Captured and recorded are a wide variety of snowmobile ideas, without offering judgment on any individual venture. Join me as I pay tribute to all those ideas; past, present and future. But keep watching, because more snow excitement is waiting to be created.

I have read many snowmobile books over the years, and I believe Larry Jorgensen's was very informative and easy to read. It shows that Larry has done an excellent job researching information. I have recommended Make It Go In The Snow to all my snowmobiling friends, I look forward to handing out copies to them at Christmas. -- Daniel C. Blaney, Antique Snowmobile Museum, Morocco, Indiana.

Michigan plays a minor yet important part in this detailed history of snowmobiles. The first snowmobile was created in 1913 by a Ford dealer in New Hampshire. He took the rear wheels off a Model T and replaced them with dual wheels covered by tracks and replaced the front wheels with skis. He patented his invention and called it a snowmobile. A company later bought the patent and made 3,500 kits a year. As the author makes it abundantly clear, over the years backyard tinkerers, high schoolers, and just guys with a vision created snowmobiles of all shapes and sizes. If you have any interest in snowmobiles you're going to ski-doo through Make It Go in the Snow. -- Tom Powers, Michigan In Books

Jorgensen purchased his first snowmobile in 1967. Subsequently, he joined a snowmobile enthusiast group and participated in long-distance rides. The most notable was an endurance test from Fairbanks, Alaska to Seattle for the new Allsport Tracker. Pabst Brewing Company contracted him to create its programs for recreational snowmobiling and racing. He's also served on the board of the Central Division of the United States Snowmobile Association (USSA). So immersed in the activity has he been that when one of his children, then a first grader, was asked what her father did, she replied, 'He snowmobiles.' And now he's written of them as well and included a concluding chapter telling of various snowmobile museums he's discovered around the country. -- Helen V. Hutchings, SpeedReaders

From Modern History Press

The mogul skiing mechanics and strategies you will learn in this book are the same ones used by the very best competitive mogul skiers in the world. The author, a former competitive mogul skier himself, has spent over 15 years developing and refining the mogul skiing MECHANICS, APPLICATIONS, and PSYCHOLOGY that make up the bulk of this work. The New Mogul Method is a systematic approach that Michael Mead developed over many years to bring together these different aspects in real-time. It was developed by a competitive mogul skier for the benefit of competitive mogul skiers, tested and vetted by competitive mogul skiers. It is the most effective, systematic, easy to implement, and reliable mogul skiing strategy there is.

The Invincible Mogul Skier is full of great insights and very specific knowledge. If someone wants to learn to mogul ski, this book is a great resource Michael and I share a passion for mogul skiing and it was fun sharing my experiences with him. It was a pleasure working with him -Bryon Wilson (Olympic Bronze Medalist, Team USA)

Snowshoeing Around Lake Tahoe: Must-Do Scenic Treks provides snowshoers with an invaluable guide for adventures in the Lake Tahoe Basin and beyond. Whether it is traipsing through virgin snow or on a worn path, this book contains a route for everyone who likes to play in the outdoors in winter. Venture to frozen alpine lakes and wilderness peaks or enjoy the beauty at lake level.

Each snowshoe is rated for scenic quality and difficulty. Some routes are flat, while some go straight up. Descriptions of the terrain, interesting historical facts, and unique details about each trek are included. This book is your must-have companion as you snowshoe around Lake Tahoe and the surrounding wilderness.

A woman, her dogs, and their journey North on the Iditarod trail.

A treasure trove of useful (and just plain fun) information about Colorado's mountain country. A handy-dandy, comprehensive, wide-ranging reference guide to settling (good-naturedly) any arguments about Colorado's high country. We're not just talking about population figures, elevation stats, or lists of Fourteeners and rivers, although these are included. You will learn far more including mountain lexicons (so that you'll know what a gutter bunny, potato chip, and prune really mean), Colorado as a movie set, Colorado songs, skiing, fishing, avalanches, geology, historic districts, hiking and biking, snakes, Superfund sites, strange festivals, weather miserability index, and much more.

This vintage book explores the subject of skiing. Skiing is a means of transport, a recreational activity and a competitive winter sport in which the participant uses skis to move on snow. This illustrated volume looks at the history of the sport, as well as equipment, different styles and techniques, and much more; making it perfect for those with an interest in the origins and development of this universally-enjoyed winter sport. Contents include: The Antiquity and Renaissance of Ski, Countries in Which Ski-Running is Practised, Outfit, The Elements of Ski-Running, The Snow and its Peculiarities, etc. Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this book now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with the original text and artwork.

So you want to learn to Snowboard? Look no further In Learn to Snowboard in 2 Days you will find a simple step by step program that has been designed to give you the best possible start on your Snowboarding journey - guaranteed You will get to know insider secrets to get you up and riding in your very first session, how to avoid painful beginner's mistakes, how to choose the right gear for YOU, and much much more This comprehensive no-nonsense guide has all the information you need to know to get started in Snowboarding - all about the gear, how to ride a lift, all the best techniques to get you up and riding in no time, and lots of other beginner's tips Here's what the book will tell you in detail: - The hands down fastest and easiest techniques for getting up and riding in your very first session - How to choose the right board and bindings for YOU - The best ways to avoid mistakes that can be painful, costly or even really dangerous - If you take snowboarding lessons, know how to make the most out of them and save money- if you take just one less hour of lessons, this book will have re-paid itself several times over. - How to dramatically reduce your overall learning curve - A complete Gear Guide going through the different types of boards, bindings, boots, and other accessories - How to care for your gear to make sure it lasts longer and doesn't fail you in a bad situation - How to easily put your body in the correct position for the type of snowboarding you do - How to snowboard safely with minimal risk to yourself and others - How to get on and off a lift with ease - Tips and video to show you how to tackle beginning snowboarding skills, like skating, gliding, and linking turns - Descriptions of common snowboarding terrain features - Advice and videos describing how to perform advanced techniques and tricks, such as jumps, grinds, and 360s - A guide to the best Snowboard Terrain Parks in the U.S. - A glossary of common snowboarding terms to help you speak like a pro - And much, much more... In short, this guide is tailor made to make sure you get the best possible start at Snowboarding - right now If you still haven t made up your mind, please take my word for it: as a Snowboarder you'll get to enjoy the snow in a way that most people will never experience - you will NOT regret giving the sport a shot One last piece of advice if you re the kind of person who can't wait to go out there and just do it - of course not everyone who gives Snowboarding a shot with some old, borrowed gear and no clue gets hurt in the process, but I can assure you that the people who are well informed and properly instructed learn a LOT faster and walk away from their first sessions with a lot less bruises and frustration. So what are you waiting for? Grab your copy right now and start learning TODAY You'll save time, cash AND make sure to get a great start Snowboarding - it can't get any better than this

Master Your Cold Weather and Winter Camping Skills with This Historic Military Guidebook

Prepare yourself and brush up on your skills with this unabridged, high-quality Civilian Reference Edition reissue of the official Basic Cold Weather Manual FM 31-70 US Army War Department Field Manual, 1959 release. This unclassified civilian reference edition manual represents the best knowledge about cold weather camping, hiking, and outdoors travel for the time and is packed full of essential tips and technique for using and maintaining equipment, clothing, and health during outdoors winter activity.

Contents include essential knowledge about winter camping and overland travel in icy conditions. Topics also include fundamental skills in using winter and cold-weather clothing, equipment, tents, food and water for winter, and cold-weather hygiene. Also included are chapters on skiing, snowshoeing, travel in snow and ice conditions, use of sleds and travel equipment, and historical soldier winter combat readiness.

Gain essential skills for your outdoors activities by learning from the classic knowledge of the American soldier. Great for learning the ins-and-outs of mastering the outdoors in the winter. Not just for military personnel, this book is a great gift for outdoors enthusiasts, hunters, campers, skiers, and snowshoers

A part of the Military Outdoors Skills Series: Volume 8

This Doublebit Historic Edition reprint of Basic Cold Weather Manual FM 31-70 (1959) is professionally restored and presented from the original source with the highest degree of fidelity possible. Available in both paperback and hardcover, readers can enjoy this Civilian Reference Edition reissue for generations to come and learn from its timeless knowledge.

About the Doublebit Military Outdoors Skills Series

Military manuals contain essential knowledge about outdoors life, thriving while in the field, and self-sufficiency. Unfortunately, many great military books, field manuals, and technical guides over the years have become less available and harder to find. These have either been rescinded by the armed forces or are otherwise out of print due to their age. This does not mean that these texts are worthless or out of date - in fact, the opposite is true It is true that the US Military frequently updates its manuals as its protocols have changed based on the times and combat situations that our armed services face. However, the knowledge about the outdoors over the entire history of military publication is timeless

By publishing the Military Outdoors Skills Series, it is our goal at Doublebit Press to do what we can to preserve and share historic military works, such as army field manuals (the FM series), technical manuals (the TM series), and other military books that hold timeless knowledge about outdoors life, navigation, and survival. Through remastered reprint editions of military handbooks and field manuals, we can preserve the time-tested skills and institutional knowledge that was learned through hard lessons and training by the U.S. Military and our expert soldiers.

The premier guide to modern riding, from one of the sport's best coaches.
--Tim Windell, two-time World Cup co-champion

In The Art of Snowboarding, USSA-certified club coach Jim Smith introduces you to the most popular tricks and stunts, including kickers (jumps) and other freestyle and half-pipe techniques, and stunts on rails and wood. He gives special emphasis to proper stance and turning techniques as the basis for more advanced moves. Time-lapsephotographs demonstrate every step of every trick and technique, and dozens of additional photos show you the form of some of the country's best riders.

Nowhere in the world was the sport of biathlon, a combination of cross-country skiing and rifle marksmanship, taken more seriously than in the Soviet Union, and no other nation garnered greater success at international venues. From the introduction of modern biathlon in 1958 to the USSR's demise in 1991, athletes representing the Soviet Union won almost half of all possible medals awarded in world championship and Olympic competition. Yet more than sheer technical skill created Soviet superiority in biathlon. The sport embodied the Soviet Union's culture, educational system and historical experience and provided the perfect ideological platform to promote the state's socialist viewpoint and military might, imbuing the sport with a Cold War sensibility that transcended the government's primary quest for post-war success at the Olympics.

William D. Frank's book is the first comprehensive analysis of how the Soviet government interpreted the sport of skiing as a cultural, ideological, political and social tool throughout the course of seven decades. In the beginning, the Soviet Union owned biathlon, and so the stories of both the state and the event are inseparable. Through the author's unique perspective on biathlon as a former nationally-ranked competitor and current professor of Soviet history, Everyone to Skis! will appeal to students and scholars of Russian and Soviet history as well as to general readers with an interest in skiing and the development of twentieth-century sport.

Veteran musher Joe Runyan gives tips and practical advice for succeeding in long distance mushing competitions. Starting with selecting and training pups, kennel management and nutrition, Joe shares his winning strategies and anecdotes from the trail.

Celebrate the Winter Games with this high-interest introduction to curling, the team sport known for its rocks and brooms. Also included is a biographical story about curler Anna Hasselborg.

Go for the gold as you test your knowledge of the world's greatest international sporting event! This book features 100 trivia questions and challenges about the history and best moments of the Olympic Games. Questions cover both the Summer and Winter Olympics, as well as ancient and modern times. Do you know:

• What athlete competed with a wooden leg?
• What kind of dog was the first official Olympic mascot?
• When the Olympics could first be viewed on mobile devices?
• Who was the first Black athlete to win gold at the Winter Olympics?
• What Olympic athlete was parodied by John Belushi on Saturday Night Live?

This book is an opportunity to quiz yourself on your Olympic knowledge of everyone from Michael Phelps to Simone Biles to Lindsay Vonn. You may also use it to learn about some of the greatest achievements at the Games.

Designed in a book format that's easy to carry, this trivia game is easy to pass around at a party or take on a road trip. It also makes a great gift for the sports fan in your life!

Ready to be inspired? Pick up a copy of The Olympic Games Trivia Book today!

Ride where the adventure never ends!

Adventure is calling as a new snowmobile season arrives in snow country! The Maine 2023-2024 Snowmobile Trail Atlas includes over 14,000 miles of groomed and backcountry snowmobile trails created from over 100 individual maps to show the most up-to-date and accurate trails possible! Discover new routes, plan scenic day rides, and epic multi-day adventures with the 2023-2024 Maine Snowmobile Trail Atlas. Now, you can plan the adventure of a lifetime for you and your crew!

Unforgettable Rides and Experiences

The map shows ITS trails, snowmobile club trails, and ungroomed trails where you can lay first tracks after a fresh snowfall! Also included on the map are scenic and awesome hot spots and side trips like the Abandoned Locomotives, B-52 Crash Site, and Coburn Mountain Summit (the highest elevation you can reach by snowmobile in Maine). Now, you can plan ahead to see scenic views and unique landmarks instead of discovering them out on the trail when you're out of time! Maine's three legendary loop trails, the Moose Loop, Katahdin Loop, and Black Fly Loop, are clearly marked on the map for those who enjoy touring scenic and dynamic terrain. The Winter 2023-2024 edition includes marked trailer parking locations and fuel stops!

2023-2024 Maine Snowmobile Trail Atlas Includes:

• ITS Primary Corridor Trails
• ITS Secondary Connector Trails
• Snowmobile Club Trails
• Ungroomed Trails
• Lake Crossing Trails
• Trail Route Numbers and Names
• More Detailed Maps
• Gas Stations
• Parking Locations
• Parts and Repair Locations
• Snowmobile Club Information
• Maine's Legendary Loop Trails:
• Moose Loop
• Katahdin Loop Trail
• Black Fly Loop
• Hot Spots and Side Trips:
• Grand Falls
• Abandoned Locomotives
• Coburn Mountain (the highest elevation you can reach by snowmobile in Maine)
• Moxie Falls
• B-52 Crash Site
• Low's Covered Bridge
• Scenic Overlooks
• Many more remote historic sites and natural landmarks!
• Terrain Features & Elevations

***PLEASE NOTE***

These maps are intended for trip planning purposes only and are not for navigation. Maine's snowmobile trail routes can change daily due to weather conditions, logging operations, landowner requests, etc.

Contact local snowmobile clubs for the most updated information on trail routes and closures.

Dive into the exhilarating world of ice skating with Ice Skating Handbook by Jack A. Samuel, your comprehensive guide to mastering the ice. Whether you're a beginner lacing up your skates for the first time or an experienced skater looking to refine your skills, this handbook is your ultimate companion on the ice.
Discover the timeless joy of gliding effortlessly across frozen surfaces as Samuel expertly navigates you through every facet of ice skating. From understanding the history and evolution of this elegant sport to mastering intricate techniques and advanced maneuvers, each chapter is crafted to empower and inspire skaters of all ages and skill levels.

Inside, you'll find:

• Foundations for Success: Learn the fundamental principles of balance, posture, and stride that form the backbone of every successful skater's journey.
• Techniques Unveiled: Dive deep into detailed techniques for forward and backward skating, turns, stops, and elegant figure skating moves, accompanied by step-by-step instructions and illustrations.
• Safety and Preparation: Equip yourself with essential safety tips, proper gear selection, and rink etiquette to ensure a safe and enjoyable skating experience.
• Fitness Benefits: Explore the myriad physical and mental health benefits of ice skating, from cardiovascular conditioning to improved coordination and stress relief.
• Beyond the Basics: Elevate your skills with advanced strategies for speed skating, jumps, spins, and choreography, opening doors to competitive skating and artistic expression.
• Comprehensive Resources: Access valuable resources for finding skating clubs, coaches, and competitions, and learn how to maximize your progress on and off the ice.

Ice Skating Handbook is more than just a guide-it's your passport to a world of grace, athleticism, and personal achievement. With Jack A. Samuel's expert guidance and a passion for the sport evident on every page, this book promises to ignite your passion for ice skating and propel you toward mastery.
Whether you dream of gliding effortlessly like a figure skating champion or mastering the speed and agility of a hockey player, Ice Skating Handbook is your essential companion on this thrilling journey across the ice.

2020 National Outdoor Book Award Winner - Outdoor Literature

Edward Power sets the reader down in the midst of a February 2017 blizzard that raked Utah's Uinta Range as nine snowboarders made their way into the backcountry for a day of intense adventure. As the boarders were taking their first turns, expert avalanche forecaster Craig Gordon was tracking the storm and its impact, posting one of the most dire avalanche forecasts and warnings in his career.

In Dragons in the Snow, Power delves into the research and science behind avalanche forecasting and rescue, weaving in the art of backcountry skiing as well as dramatic tales of avalanche accidents, rescues, and recoveries. And he paints compelling portraits of the men and women who have made the study of avalanches their life's work. The tales told by these avalanche forecasters, as well as the stories of the backcountry riders who may wake the dragon make for not just a compelling read, but also a powerful tool for raising avalanche awareness in everyone who plays in the winter backcountry.

Marco Siffredi was the first person to make a complete snowboard descent of Mount Everest in 2001, and was regarded by many as the world's best snowboarder. But the following year in 2002, Marco mysteriously disappeared on Everest while attempting a more difficult route known as Hornbein Couloir, an unrelentingly steep, difficult to access route with a high failure rate. Using exclusive never-before-granted interviews with family and friends, Evans aims to solve Everest's greatest mystery in nearly a century while exploring Marco's pursuit of a dream, his love of freedom and adventure, and how his French family was forever altered by his loss.

Embark on a thrilling journey into the heart of extreme skiing with our exploration, Skiing Around The World. This book invites you to delve into the adrenaline-charged world of those who dare to defy gravity, pushing the boundaries of conventional skiing into uncharted territory. From the formidable slopes of Chamonix to the untouched powder of Alaska's vast wilderness, we unravel the tales of intrepid skiers navigating the steepest descents our planet has to offer. Join us as we venture into the back-country, where untracked snow and the raw beauty of nature set the stage for an exhilarating dance with gravity. Safety gear in hand and skills finely tuned, these thrill-seekers document their descents, sharing the heart-stopping moments and awe-inspiring landscapes through the lens of extreme skiing films. Skiing Around The World is your passport to the world of skiing, where every descent is a conquest, every slope a challenge, and every adventure an ode to the indomitable spirit of those who seek the thrill of the steepest descents on Earth. Get ready to experience the rush, the beauty, and the sheer audacity of extreme skiing like never before.