Summits and Icefields: Alpine Ski Tours in the Rockies and Columbia Mountains of Canada

Sandy Campbell is a reference librarian in the Science and Technology Library at the University of Alberta.

Chic Scott distils more than 30 years of ski-mountaineering experience
in the Rockies and Columbia Mountains into this book. Directed at
“those who know something about backcountry skiing,” Summits and
Icefields features more than 30 ski runs and tours, providing the
necessary information “for an experienced ski mountaineer to form a
good picture of what is involved.” This information includes
commentary, photographs, and sketch maps of the routes; where to park
your vehicle; descriptions of the best routes; and warnings of
“some” potential hazards. Scott also advises skiers on when they
will need an ice axe or need to rope-up, and where to look for
crevasses. When commercial lodges are located near a tour, details about
capacity, facilities, location, and bookings are provided.

The book is heavily illustrated with black-and-white photos of sections
of trails. A section at the beginning of the book covers trip planning,
equipment checklists, relevant regulations, and other background
information. Huts, cabins, and the various ski runs are indexed. Public
libraries catering to skiers in Western Canada will find this guide a
useful addition to their collections.