Two books in one! This 355-page book is the bible of cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding and backcountry skiing in Idaho, the Tetons and Yellowstone National Parks . It includes descriptions of hundreds of cross-country ski and snowshoe trails. Backcountry aficionados will also find it invaluable with beautifully done aerial illustrations detailing snowboard and backcountry ski routes in some best terrain in the west. And the book is filled with stories, honoring and retracing the rich traditions of western winter travel. To top it off, it has been carefully and lovingly designed which is obvious by its pleasing graphics, easy-to-use maps, enticing photography, and overall visual appeal. All in all, this is truly a model guidebook. " Winter Tales , goes to new heights, offering basics and some little-known historical insights. Those interested in snowshoes won't feel left out . . . . And to add a more modern element, Watters also includes snowboarding opportunities." -- Bill Loftus, Lewiston Morning Tribune "Buy it as a guidebook for the trail. Enjoy it as an entertaining history book at night. [It's] the standard by which other [guide] books are judged." -- Cross-country Ski Magazine "It has a well honed sense of place, a nice appreciation for local folklore centered around the long snowshoe and a commitment to sport that is integrated with the environment." -- RAIN Journal of Appropriate Technology "Obviously thoroughly researched through firsthand knowledge ... easy to read maps and scenic photos." -- Daryl Gadbow, The Missoulian "Pick up a copy of Winter Tales and Trails . . . . You'll not only get a complete guide and review of trails, but you will also learn about the rich, colorful history of skiing in the region. Much of Watters' writing is action: you'll catch your breath through the tales of early trailblazers. But the challenges laid by these tales is clear and you will be compelled to see for yourself the ghost towns and scenic vistas . . . . Be sure to get a copy--you are in for a grand adventure." -- Lisa A. Jackson, Eclectic Book Reviews Guidebooks don't come any better than this--and a big reason is the author. There are very few people around with the sort of storehouse of knowledge on Idaho and Teton & Yellowstone National Parks than Ron Watters. For over 20 years, he has been exploring, writing, and collecting information about winter recreation in this beautiful corner of the west. He knows his topic, and he knows how to strike a balance, including information on easy-going and safe trails for beginners and families as well as challenging areas for experienced backcountry users. Moreover, he is a wonderful story teller, drawing from his own experiences and from those of long ago. It's a lively, fun and informative book and a must for anyone who loves the western winter. Winter Tales has a long, long history. I actually started on the earliest version of this book (called Ski Trails and Old-timers' Tales ) in the mid 1970s, driving about Idaho and Montana during the winter in a Volkswagen Bug called Trolley. Trolley had the habit of breaking down in the most remote areas--and always during a storm. By the late 1990s, I had smartened up a little and now was driving around in a more reliable, though less personable, pickup truck and working on a new, updated version of the book. The result, published in 1998, was Winter Tales and Trails . Winter Tales was been completely rewritten from it's earlier incarnation and is ready for skiing and snowshoeing of the new millennium. FROM THE TETON CHAPTER: Area Covered: Grand Teton National Park, Teton Pass, Pine Creek Pass, Kelly Canyon Area and Teton Valley including Driggs and Victor. Sometimes it is best to leave descriptions of the Teton Range unexpressed. That's particularly true in the winter. When you ski around the curve of a ridge, beyond an opening in the trees and when you are suddenly faced with them, there is nothing intelligible that can be said that compares to what is felt. It is a momentary feeling of helplessness, of beauty so great that all you can do is stop and gaze. You can really only experience it by getting out and traveling through the snow-blanketed valley below, by stepping into its canyons, by gliding across its ridges or by climbing its high peaks. Then, and only then, do you really begin to understand the magic of the Tetons. The most obvious place to begin experiencing the Tetons is Teton National Park. Near Colter Bay on Jackson Lake is an enchanting three-mile round trip tour on snowshoes or skis to Swan Lake and Heron Pond. It is a gentle trip with a rewarding view of the Tetons and Jackson Lake from the edge of Heron Pond. Another similarly inspirational tour is the trip into Jenny Lake along Cottonwood Creek. Here, you are in the midst of the great cathedral of the Tetons, and as you glide down the aisle, great buttresses and spires loom above. The Jenny Lake tour is easy e