Book Review: Deep – The Story of Skiing and the Future of Snow

January 27, 2014
Penny

Key Takeaways

  • Snow and water are inseparable: Rafters and skiers alike depend on a consistent snowpack, linking the future of water-based recreation to the health of winter snowfall and the broader climate cycle.

  • Porter Fox’s Deep blends passion with urgency: The book captures the heart of skiing while exposing how climate change threatens both snow and the outdoor lifestyles built around it.

  • Climate change impacts all adventurers: Whether you’re rafting, kayaking, or skiing, Fox’s insights reveal how a warming planet could reshape seasonal flow, snowmelt, and adventure tourism.

  • A call to awareness and action: Deep inspires readers to understand the science behind snow loss and to support sustainability efforts that protect natural cycles.

  • For outdoor lovers and storytellers: This independently published book—funded by passionate backers—reminds readers that preserving snow and water means safeguarding the spirit of adventure itself.

 As rafters, we are in tune to the water cycle, particularly the liquid portion of this cycle. As guides, we are all closely tied to this cycle and fall in synch with it. Rafters are as dependent on a consistent snowpack in the summer as the skiers are in the winter—especially those heading out on gr. We spend our winters watching the snow pile up and talking about how this will affect our rafting season. We then spend our summer hoping for a big snow year providing a season of face shots—and strong flows for Salmon River rafting adventures. This is probably why I was drawn to the book Deep: The Story of Skiing and the Future of Snow. The author, Porter Fox , does an amazing job of intertwining riveting and impassioned ski stories together with the story of climate change.  He captures the heart and soul of skiing answering the question: why do people give up everything to devote their lives to it? The passion that he describes is easily translatable to the world of rafting and kayaking. You can learn more about Hells Canyon and the Snake River ecosystem to understand how these waters depend on snowpack and climate.

This book hit home for us here at Winding Waters and we thought it would do the same with many of you. So if you are looking for a new winter book to help keep you awake past 8:00pm we highly recommend this one. This book was independently published with funds raised through a Kickstarter Campaign They raised $28,807 from 439 backers enabling them to publish the book and go on a promotional book tour.

Check out this Video about the book:

More Official Book Review (from the Deepthebook.com Blog):
In his stunning first book, veteran ski writer Porter Fox captures the 8,000-year-old sport of skiing, the miracle of snow and the shocking truth of how climate change could wipe out both in the next 75 years.

The narrative follows the unlikely rise of skiing from prehistoric Norwegian hunters to nobility in the Alps in the 1800s to present-day freeriders on the vaunted slopes of the Rocky Mountains. On his global tour of the most celebrated mountains in the Northern Hemisphere—from Washington’s Cascade Range to the European Alps—Fox talks to alpinists about the allure and mysticism of the sport and to scientists about climate change and its effect on snow—ultimately finding a story that is far larger than the demise of skiing.

 

For the seven million skiers in America who dedicate their winters to tracking storms and waking up at dawn to catch the first chairlift, the lifestyle change will be radical. It will likely be far worse for the rest of the world. Fox uses primary interviews and evidence, mixed with groundbreaking scientific studies, to explain exactly how and when the Great Melt will play out—and the tremendous groundswell that is rising up to stop it. DEEP provides firsthand accounts from skiers and scientists, who are mapping a way to mitigate climate change, reduce human impact on our planet and repair the water cycle. As it turns out, their efforts to save snow and ice might end up saving the world. That same awareness drives our own guided white water rafting experiences, where guests learn firsthand how water and wilderness connect.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

This book review explores Deep: The Story of Skiing and the Future of Snow by Porter Fox — a passionate look at the culture of skiing and the urgent environmental threats facing our winters.

  • What is Deep: The Story of Skiing and the Future of Snow about?

    Deep combines the history, culture, and spirit of skiing with an urgent look at climate change. Author Porter Fox explores how shrinking snowpacks and warming winters could threaten not just the sport, but global water cycles and mountain ecosystems.


  • Who wrote Deep: The Story of Skiing and the Future of Snow?

    The book was written by Porter Fox, a veteran ski writer known for his deep connection to mountain culture. His experience and interviews with skiers and scientists create a compelling narrative that blends passion with scientific insight.


  • Why is Deep relevant to rafters and outdoor enthusiasts?

    Describe the item or answer the question so that site visitors who are interested get more information. You can emphasize this text with Rafters, like skiers, depend on consistent snowfall to feed rivers and sustain water levels. The book’s exploration of snow’s role in the water cycle resonates with anyone tied to seasonal outdoor sports or the health of natural ecosystems.

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  • What makes this book different from other skiing books?

    Unlike typical skiing memoirs or guides, Deep goes beyond the slopes. It weaves thrilling ski stories with environmental science, showing how climate change directly impacts snow, rivers, and the future of winter sports.


  • How was Deep published?

    The book was independently published after a successful Kickstarter campaign that raised $28,807 from 439 backers. This grassroots support helped fund both publication and a promotional book tour.


  • What time periods and locations does the book cover?

    Fox traces skiing’s journey from prehistoric hunters in Norway to modern freeriders in the Rockies. His travels take him from Washington’s Cascades to the European Alps, connecting past traditions with today’s challenges.


  • How does Deep address climate change?

    The book examines how rising temperatures and decreasing snowfall could end skiing as we know it. Through interviews and research, Fox explains how climate change affects snow and water cycles—and highlights global efforts to reverse the trend.


  • Who would enjoy reading this book?

    Deep is perfect for skiers, snowboarders, rafters, and anyone who loves the outdoors. It’s also a great read for readers interested in environmental science and how climate change impacts recreation and natural systems.


  • What message does the author want readers to take away?

    Fox encourages readers to appreciate the fragile beauty of snow and to understand how preserving it is vital—not just for sports, but for the planet’s water and climate balance. It’s a call to action as much as a love letter to winter.


  • Where can I find more information about the book?

    You can learn more or watch videos related to the book at deepthebook.com or view the “Deep – Part 1: The West” video on Vimeo for a closer look at the project and its message.