Dawson’s Guide to Colorado Backcountry Skiing
BACKCOUNTRY SKIING GUIDEBOOK
Dawson’s guide to Colorado Backcountry Skiing
–Out of print–
Folks, in 2001, I was certain this was my best work — the future was bright. Awesome spot-color digital mapping, tons of annotated photos, lots of familiarity with the routes and good sources when I needed more info. Alas, when the books came from the bindery in time for Christmas retailing, they proceeded to fall apart. Defective manufacturing. The printing company redid the entire lot, but with Christmas sales lost, our momentum was squelched. Going forward, we didn’t sell enough books for financial viability. So out of print it went — and never returned. I tried with a website, figuring I could port the content. But things were changing fast, the challenges were many — there was just no way to monetize. But in the end, other writers and publishers have resurrected most of the routes in “Dawson’s Guide,” and what you can’t find in a guidebook is often available from internet sources or even word-of-mouth. So there you go, and be safe!
Lou Dawson, 2026
Below made available for historical reference.
Thirty pages of crisp, accurate maps, custom built by the author! More than 190 pages of ski touring route information. More than 150 backcountry skiing photographs, fully annotated by the author with insider knowledge. Covers the historic Alfred Braun Hut System near Aspen and Crested Butte. Details the famed Friends Hut, Colorado’s finest ski cabin. Historical information — stories of famous epics. Covers everything you can ski from the Roaring Fork Valley between Aspen and Glenwood Springs. Hints for first descents and unexplored backcountry skiing areas. Wonderful for snowshoe and snowboard routes as well.
Aerial photo, Friends Hut environs, sample from guidebook. (Note, Crystal Pass is now known as Star Pass.)
Cover, Dawson’s Guide Colorado Backcountry Skiing
Perhaps best of all, Colorado Backcountry Skiing is written from Lou Dawson’s unique and incredibly informed point of view. Wondering about the most famous lost backcountry skiing people in recent decades? Read about them here. Want details for incredible ski descents near the huts? Look no farther than this book. Wondering how to get amazing ski descents without killing yourself in an avalanche? Read the Dawson’s guide…
