Ralph Markby, a passionate skier to this day, made his first pair of wooden skis in 1944. In a book which traces the history of skiing and the rise of ski culture in New Zealand, Ralph tells irresistible tales of the intrepid early skiers.

Undaunted by the physical challenges, and armed with an unflagging sense of humour, they would trudge up the mountain for their every run.

Ralph Markby’s long skiing career began on the doughty Rock and Pillar Range near Middlemarch, and continued on at Coronet Peak, near Queenstown, Ruapehu and the lesser known fields of Otago and Canterbury. In 1968 Ralph was one of the founders of Treble Cone near Wanaka. Ralph still enjoys skiing to this day.

The book which includes ski fields in the north and south islands takes a fascinating look at the development of both the club fields and the commercial ski fields, skiing overseas, the thrills of heli-skiing, and the snowboard revolution.

The book is extensively illustrated in full colour throughout with stunning photographs, both historical and contemporary, and includes spectacular action shots and glorious mountain scenery.

Snow Business – Sixty Years Skiing in New Zealand
By Ralph Markby
ISBN: 978 1 877460 17 3 
RRP: $44.99.
Published by Longacre Press and distributed by Random House NZ Ltd
Available at your bookseller