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Rating: 
Summary: I want to ski there!
Review: Cross-Country Ski Vacations is a delicious introduction to North American cross-country ski resorts and a refreshing testimonial to what's best about snow: skiing upon it!Jonathan Wiesel's humorous dialogue leads readers past the continent's biggest mountains and over the finest snows while highlighting lodges, food and services. In particular, I enjoyed the personal connection that the writer gives within each chapter by introducing readers to the local skiers or the local history. It's obvious that the writer has skied every one of the trails in his book and that he would love to have each reader join him on the cross-country ski pistes.
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Summary: This new edition shows the fun of cross-country skiing.
Review: Hello Readers. May I introduce the new, more entertaining AND more complete guide to playing on nordic skis? Cross-country skiing has a reputation as nothing more than hard work. That's pretty bizarre, seeing most skiers are women, and over half of us -- men and women -- are in our 30s or older! Some of the folks you might meet on the trail are Demi Moore, Kim Alexis, Harrison Ford, Pierce Brosnan ("Bond, James Bond"), and Robert Redford. NBC's Dr. Bob Arnot, who wrote the Foreword to this new edition, says: "Whatever it is you like about cross-country, and even if you haven't tried it yet, here you'll find the perfect destination.... There are vacations for families looking for fun, athletes in search of a good workout, and couples seeking a romantic getaway." Cross-Country Ski Vacations introduces the entertainment, beauty, and exhilaration of ski holidays; but this includes other attractions like recreational eating. Dr. Bob goes on to say: "My advice to you is this: Read the book, select a getaway, then go! And take an extra couple of strides and another bite of strudel for me." (Can't argue with those priorities!) Cross-Country Ski Vacations covers 125 destinations across North America -- Western guest ranches, New England country inns, B&Bs, grand hotels, lodges, even alpine ski resorts. I've enjoyed every one. I mean, it's not as though you have to ski all day long. At these places you can try horseback riding, fly fishing, dog sledding, aromatherapy, power shopping, visiting the U.S. Hockey Hall of Game with its 107 foot hockey stick in Eveleth, Minnesota.... Some sites are elegant, many are absolutely unpretentious, but there's a lot of fun waiting at every one. The book can help you choose a destination based on cost, family-friendliness, size of trail system, romantic atmosphere, airport convenience, altitude, backcountry adventure, whether you like to speak French, length of season, smoke-free environment.... Okay, I've said my piece. Let's keep this interactive -- read the book, visit these places, and let me know what you think. Thanks -- and I hope to see you on the trails and in the pastry shops this winter!
Rating: 
Summary: Good overall look at what is out there but not accurate.
Review: I am currently planning a ski vacation and was relying on this book to help me decide where to go. It did give me a great look at what is available to me in the USA and Canada, however, when I started calling to make reservations I found that some did not take my credit card (which it said that they did in this book)or rates were enormously higher. Wiesel uses $-$$$$$ to gauge price - but this is not enough. It would be more helpful to have average prices ranging from single occupancy to double and so on. The explanations are great and make every resort sound like somewhere I would like to go. Even Idaho! I am going on a vacation I found in this book so I guess the proof is in the pudding. I'll let you know how acurate the details were when I return in December.
Rating:
Summary: A great, user-friendly guide to winter serenity!!
Review: Jonathan Wiesel gives a great overview of options for someone seeking a peaceful winter getaway on skinny skis. There are lots of options here, from rustic lodges to more upscale places. Having visited some of the places he recommends, I can tell he's done his homework. I especially liked his friendly, humorous tone, and even though I've been X-country skiing for years, I learned some new tips from his introductory "how-to" section. Jonathan, you make me want to get out and SKI!
Rating:
Summary: good reading, good skiing, great advice!
Review: Jonathan Wiesel's Cross-Country Ski Vacations, 2nd edition is an essential guide to cross-country resorts, lodges and groomed trails throughout Canada and the United States. Looking for a nordic vacation spot that allows dogs on the trails, is less than two hours from a train station, offers sled rides and ice skating, and will arrange a winter horseback ride as well as baby sitting? See page 177, Big Bar Ranch in British Columbia. Me, I wouldn't go XC skiing without it!
Rating:
Summary: Finally, A Guidebook That's Fun
Review: One of the problems with reading Guidebooks for me has been that they are so dry. This one breaks that rule. Jonathan Wiesel's permeating sense of humor, combined with his understanding that cross country ski vacations aren't merely Olympic training weeks, makes this a very solid piece of work. This is one time where it clearly makes no sense to plan a ski vacation without this book.
Rating:
Summary: It's like having a good friend reveal his vacation secrets!
Review: Thanks to Jon Wiesel for doing the leg work for this great guide--and kudos for presenting his exhaustive research with such style and wit. It's been a wonderful help in planning (and dreaming) for family ski vacations; I've also used it extensively for my business. It's clear Wiesel has done his homework, and he understands what skiers are looking for: We want to know how good the tracks are, but we also want to know about the food, the beds, the hosts, etc., not to mention approximately how much money we'll be spending and how long it will take to get there. And the best thing: Weisel's love for skiing comes across loud and clear--echoing the way so many of us feel about the sport. Thanks!
Rating:
Summary: good breadth, poor depth
Review: There are some rave reviews about this book already posted. I do not want to unduly detract from this excellent book. However, I do believe some balance should be given. This book, as a vacation guide, is ok. It provides a broad sweep of resorts and fine ski areas, but without any indepth insights about any of them. If you're interested in trying out a new area, this guide is excellent as a starting point for your web research. You will need other guides, or dig out on the web or from references, to really plan out your trip. I was particularly disappointed with the lack of information available on Northeast areas, but perhaps my expectations were off...again partially due to the rave reviews on this site.
For example, 1 page is given about the Lake Placid region. Perhaps this region is more well known than others so a reminder is not needed? Fundamentally, I think this guide tries to take on too large a geographic region. I was looking for a few selections in different price categories that were independently reviewed,
and best-in-class. This book doesn't quite hit that mark.
Rating:
Summary: good breadth, poor depth
Review: There are some rave reviews about this book already posted. I do not want to unduly detract from this excellent book. However, I do believe some balance should be given. This book, as a vacation guide, is ok. It provides a broad sweep of resorts and fine ski areas, but without any indepth insights about any of them. If you're interested in trying out a new area, this guide is excellent as a starting point for your web research. You will need other guides, or dig out on the web or from references, to really plan out your trip. I was particularly disappointed with the lack of information available on Northeast areas, but perhaps my expectations were off...again partially due to the rave reviews on this site.
For example, 1 page is given about the Lake Placid region. Perhaps this region is more well known than others so a reminder is not needed? Fundamentally, I think this guide tries to take on too large a geographic region. I was looking for a few selections in different price categories that were independently reviewed,
and best-in-class. This book doesn't quite hit that mark.
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