The Snow Tourist

Combining on–the–slopes experience with off–trail research, author Charlie English follows in the footsteps of the Romantic poets across the Alps, learns how to build igloos with the Inuit on Baffin Island, examines snow–patches in the Cairngorms to detect signs of global warming, and tests his mettle on some of the most perilous peaks on Earth. Along the way, he meets up with a flurry of fellow enthusiasts, from avalanche survivors and resort operators to climate scientists and champion skiers. English is obsessed with snow, and has collected for our enjoyment an amazing array of not–so–random facts about the hexagonal substance that fills the human imagination with wonder. In this "snow handbook," he describes how snow is created, how to build an igloo, how avalanches occur, and (more importantly) how to survive an avalanche. His glossary is filled with snow terms that will delight, such as "coulior," "hoarfrost," "firn," and "sastrugi." Fresh and fun and infused with the adrenaline of adventure, The Snow Tourist is a fascinating account of one man's pilgrimage through the world's blanketed fields, ice–capped rooftops, cozy igloos, and snow–covered mountain peaks.

In this unique book, part eulogy, part history, part travelogue, Charlie English goes in search of the best snow on the planet. Along the way he explains the extraordinary hold this commonplace phenomenon has over us, and reveals the ongoing drama of our relationship with it. Combining on-the-slopes experience with off-piste research, Charlie English's journey begins with the magical moment when his two-year-old son sees snow for the first time, before setting off in the footsteps of the Romantic poets over the Alps, following the sled-tracks of the Inuit across Greenland, and meeting up with a flurry of fellow enthusiasts, from snow-making scientists in Japan and global warming experts in California to plough drivers in Alaska.This is a book for anyone who reaches for their mittens at the sight of the first flake.

Winter tourism has seen increased levels of investment in recent times, in an effort to reduce economic risk, address environmental concerns and adapt to the effects of global warming. New ski destinations are developing and merging with traditional ones to increase spatial distribution, while many established leading resorts are adapting their management models. Climate change adaptation processes are supported by the reduction of CO2 emissions and energy consumption in ski resorts. Current planning challenges include the increasing importance of scenic beauty, nature and sustainable development, as well as snow reliability, snow management and safety issues.

An exploration of the winter wonders and entangled histories of Scandinavia’s northernmost landscapes—now back in print with a new afterword by the author After many years of travel in the Nordic countries—usually preferring to visit during the warmer months—Barbara Sjoholm found herself drawn to Lapland and Sápmi one winter just as mørketid, the dark time, set in. What ensued was a wide-ranging journey that eventually spanned three winters, captivatingly recounted in The Palace of the Snow Queen. From observing the annual construction of the Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, to crossing the storied Finnmark Plateau in Norway, to attending a Sámi film festival in Finland, Sjoholm dives deep into the rich traditions and vibrant creative communities of the North. She writes of past travelers to Lapland and contemporary tourists in Sápmi, as well as of her encounters with Indigenous reindeer herders, activists, and change-makers. Her new afterword bears witness to the perseverance of the Sámi in the face of tourism, development, and climate change. Written with keen insight and humor, The Palace of the Snow Queen is a vivid account of Sjoholm’s adventures and a timely investigation of how ice and snow shape our imaginations and create a vision that continues to draw visitors to the North.

The snow sports industry has experienced remarkable growth in the last fifty years. It is estimated that there are about 115 million skiers worldwide and around 2,000 ski resorts in 70 countries catering to this growing market. New resorts in Asia and Eastern Europe are competing for these visitors with already well established destinations. But the industry is changing. Technology is having a huge impact on the skiing product and how it is distributed; demographic shifts are affecting the ski industry landscape; and climate change is impacting hills all over the world. Such dramatic changes require a fresh look at this exciting and dynamic industry. Comprised of 12 chapters for easy semester teaching, each chapter follows the theme of 'working in winter wonderlands'. It covers a breadth of issues including: * The evolution of winter sport tourism, with skiing's earliest emergence as a leisure pastime during the mid-nineteenth century in Europe, to the present day; * The winter sport tourism product - the activities, resorts, and supporting industries such as clothing and equipment; * Design and planning for winter sports resorts including management and operations, both on- and off-mountain; * Marketing, public relations and media; * Planning, marketing and leveraging of events in the winter sports industry * Economic, social and environmental impacts of winter sport tourism; * Understanding the consumer, customer service and how to develop a service culture. * The future for the ski industry, how resorts need to cater to the future consumer, and how to deal with seasonality. The book has a sound pedagogic structure, with key chapter features including: * Spotlight' sections focusing on the occupation of a frontline individual in the snow sports industry in various roles including marketing, resort designer, entertainment and director of communications; * 'Profiles' on a particular resort, organization or individual that illustrates a particular concept or theoretical principle presented in the chapter. Interesting profiles include Patrick Bruchez, owner and manager of Verbier's olderst hotel; Joe Nevin, creator of Bumps for Boomers in Aspen; and Darren Turner developer of an innovative ski instruction app. The book also profiles Crystal Holidays, one the UK'S largest ski operators, and China's emergence as a key player in the global ski industry. * A detailed 'Case Study' which ,as a collection, cover a variety of organizations and regions. Designed to foster critical thinking, these cases illustrate actual business scenarios that stress several concepts found in the chapters. Case studies include women's instruction camps, Vail's development plans in Utah, ski resort infrastructure in Japan, DreamSki Adventures in South America, the EpicMix app in Colorado, the upcoming Olympics in South Korea, and Slovenia's growing ski scene. * Online tutor resources including Powerpoint slides with links to relevant videos. All spotlights, profiles and cases have been developed following a personal visit or in-depth interviews conducted by the authors, and there is an international flavor throughout the book. Essential reading for tourism students, researchers, and practitioners - particularly those working in the ski industry.

Brimming with interesting facts and surprising anecdotes, this scientific and cultural history opens our eyes to the wonders of one of nature’s most delicate, delightful, and deadly phenomena: SNOW! Perfect for fans of The Hidden Life of Trees and Rain. Go on an extraordinary journey across centuries and continents to experience the wonders of snow; from the prehistoric humans that trekked and even skied across it tens of thousands of years ago to the multi-billion-dollar industry behind our moving, making, and playing with snow. Blending accessible writing with fascinating science, Giles Whittell explores how snow dictates where we live, provides us with drinking water, and has influenced countless works of art and more. Whittell also uncovers compelling mysteries of this miraculous substance, such as why avalanches happen, how snow saved a British prime minister’s life, where the legend of the yeti comes from, and the terrifying truth behind the opening ceremony of the 1960 winter Olympics. Filled with in-depth research and whip-smart prose, Snow is an eye-opening and charming book that illuminates one of the most magnificent wonders of nature.

'Heart-warming and full of hope. I loved it' HEIDI SWAIN, Sunday Times bestselling author 'The most beautiful, heart-warming story. Gorgeously cosy, uplifting . . . utterly lovely book' HOLLY MARTIN, bestselling author of Christmas at Mistletoe Cove Escape to the mountains and fall in love this Christmas... Alice Bright has a great life. She has a job she adores, a devoted family and friends she'd lay down her life for. But when tragedy strikes, she finds her whole world turned upside down. Enter, Bear, a fluffy, lovable - and rapidly growing! - puppy searching for a home. Bear may be exactly what Alice needs to rekindle her spark, but a London flat is no place for a mountain dog, and soon Alice and Bear find themselves on a journey to the snow-topped mountains of Switzerland in search of a new beginning. Amidst the warming log fires, cosy cafes and stunning views, Alice finds her heart slowly beginning to heal. But will new friends and a charming next door neighbour be enough to help Alice fall in love with life once more? Filled with winter markets, falling snow and heart-warming seasonal romance, this is the perfect festive treat for fans of Sarah Morgan and Heidi Swain. 'Dogs + snow + romance = Sunday afternoon bliss!' Fabulous 'A warm, beautiful read full of hope and friendship - of both the two-legged and the four-legged kind' Laura Bambrey, author of The Beginners Guide to Loneliness Real readers love A Season in the Snow: 'Will warm the cockles of any frozen heart and fill you with the joy magic and sparkle of the festive season.' ***** 'Perfect escapism from rainy England!' Bee Books Beauty Blog 'This is the perfect Christmas book for the dog lover in your life!' ***** 'I loved this book and the way it made me feel so cosy and wintery.' *****

This book provides students with a concise and practical guide that presents key understandings of the tourist experience and provides strategic guidance on how to develop an impactful and memorable experience. Chapters follow the path of the tourist journey, firstly exploring consumer behaviour, the decision-making process and the tourist’s need for escape, and providing insights into the strategic implications of consumer behaviour and the concept of immersion in tourism. Subsequent chapters look at the impact of experiences; consider trends in tourism experience such as wellness, sustainability, authenticity and fantasy; and provide experience design models. The final chapter offers a unique ten-step approach to designing impactful and memorable tourist experiences. Highly practical and engaging, this book is packed full of case studies and examples, from forest bathing in Finland to truffle hunting in Italy, as well as tools and exercises to guide the design process. This book offers students a full understanding of how the experience is lived from the tourist perspective, how tourism providers can manage that process and how to develop successful experimental marketing interventions. This is essential reading for all tourism students and future tourism managers.