Welcome to Louis “Lou” Dawson’s Website
The “hybrid” guidebook, good project! Available September 2006. That’s Christy Mahon on the cover, skiing a fourteener, naturally.
Fourteener Snow: Ski & Snowboard Colorado’s 14,000’ Peaks
By Louis W. Dawson
Colorado’s fourteen-thousand-foot summits have long captured the imagination of mountaineers. But for ski alpinists, the prize isn’t just reaching the top of these 54 iconic mountains—it is skiing back down. Fourteener Snow, by Louis “Lou” Dawson, is the definitive guide to that pursuit.
Intended as a “meta guidebook” and historical overview Fourteener Snow delivers: concise route descriptions, safety tips, historical anecdotes and annotated photographs covering over eighty ski routes on Colorado’s most iconic summits. Along with the routes, Dawson weaves in plenty of first-person storytelling from his epic days on the peaks—Capitol Peak, Longs Peak, the Maroon Bells, more—bringing the mountains to life for armchair adventurers and seasoned ski mountaineers alike.
The book is enriched by interviews with Colorado’s leading ski and snowboard alpinists. Christy Mahon, the first woman to ski all the fourteeners, shares her perspective. Chris Davenport, who skied every fourteener in a single calendar year, thus setting a speed record and becoming the second person to ski them all, lends his voice. And guidebook writer and fourteeners skier Brittany Konsella chimes in as well. Also, Dawson interviews Jarrett Luttrell, the first person to snowboard all the fourteens. These unique interviews add depth, inspiration, and a sense of history to this compelling volume.
Whether planning your next adventure or just dreaming, this Fourteener Snow belongs on your nightstand or in your rucksack.
Available in September 2006.
SCHEDULED BOOK EVENTS:
Carbondale, Colorado, public library, September 29
THE MEMOIR — REVIEWERS SAY YES!
In his recent memoir, Avalanche Dreams, renowned mountaineer Louis Dawson shares a tumultuous coming-of-age journey, steeped in the counterculture revolution of the 1960s.
Amidst the towering peaks of Colorado and beyond, Lou discovers an enduring love for alpine sports: scaling cliffs, topping summits, skiing powder snow. However, as the avalanches fall and lifestyle choices veer, his pursuit of adrenaline becomes a poignant struggle for meaning in a culture where nothing succeeds like excess.
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FOR THE CLASSIC HARDCOVER WITH REMOVABLE JACKET, PLEASE USE LINKS BELOW
Dust jacketed hardcover edition features sepia toned cover.
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This deeply moving narrative invites readers to join Lou as he navigates a precarious path toward fulfillment, showcasing his transformation from a reckless, thrill-seeking youth to a devoted father determined to build a stable foundation for his family.
Lou Dawson, Denali basecamp 2010.
Writer and ski mountaineer Lou Dawson is the founder and publisher emeritus of WildSnow.com, the first independent ski-touring dedicated website in the world, established in 1998.
Dawson is also the first person to ski down all 54 of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks (the fourteeners), a project he completed in 1991.
Along with his career in digital content, Dawson has authored numerous books and print articles covering ski touring and mountaineering.
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“When a ski or snowboard descent completes a fine climb, the alpinist becomes a joyful, even sublime part of the the wild landscape. No human game is more elegant and exalted that that of climbing to a summit, then sliding down a mountain on a glistening mantel of white.”
— Lou Dawson
Louis Dawson’s recently published guidebook details a variety of moderate ski tours in Colorado. Building on a successful first edition, this second edition adds a variety of trips, all intended as safer options for Colorado’s avalanche-prone winter snowpack. The concept is revolutionary! Skiing steep, avalanche-prone slopes can be fun, but there’s an entire world of safer terrain to enjoy.
Dawson’s ski mountaineering history book.
Shop for Light Tours of Colorado
Dawson has a special affinity for the history of ski mountaineering. In 1998 he authored the authoritative text on the history of the sport in North America. Titled “Wild Snow,” the book covers 54 classic mountain ski descents of North America, with chapters devoted to each major mountain region on the continent. In all, a historical narrative that will make both beginning and expert ski tourers anxious to grab their skis or snowboard and head for the hills.
Through his more than two decades tenure of the WildSnow.com website, he broke stories, promulgated history, and enjoyed many journeys to Europe where he covered the roots of ski mountaineering.
Currently, Lou continues work as a blogger and content creator, while enjoying the release of his memoir, Avalanche Dreams. He and his wife live in Colorado.
