Foreword
The longing started early, somewhere between the crunch of snow, ski instructors in brightly padded overalls, and my first turns below the Wendelstein. In Nussdorf am Inn, aged 10, I slid down my first hills with pure excitement. Over time, I realized this is more than just a sport. It’s a feeling of lightness, direction, and rhythm, and the realization of how beautiful it is when everything star ts moving.
Perhaps that was the start of a journey that would later take me to editorial shoots in California, projects in Colorado, and ski lifts across four continents. Perspectives changed, but snow always remained a main theme. As a journalist and creative director, I got to experience skiing from all kinds of angles: in campaigns, fashion shoots, magazine features, and conversations with hoteliers, athletes, architects, and those locals who carve their lines before sunrise. It was never just about the gear or the aesthetics, but about a feeling for landscape, precision, and freedom. Snow changes everything. It makes sounds quieter, horizons wider, movements clearer. It both covers things up and reveals them at the same time. And sometimes, all it takes is one single turn to know: this is exactly where I belong; up on the ridge, gazing out over nothing but white, silence, and that fleeting, perfect moment. In a ski area, you can get lost and find yourself at the same time. You follow a track, carve out a new one, pause for a second, look around. And sometimes, it’s exactly that moment between speed and stillness, light and shadow, power and elegance, that stays with you—and triggers a quiet but heartfel t “wow.”
The Art of Skiing is not a travel guide, appraisal, or mere coffee table book. It’s an invitation to look at winter with fresh eyes. At places where snow, style, and history all come together, from Banff to Zermatt, from Cortina to Val d’Isère. At slopes, spots, and perspectives that leave a lasting impression. The book brings together selected destinations that stand out for their architecture, atmosphere, and authenticity. Places that stand for something—sometimes for tradition, sometimes for change, but always for character.
And sometimes, a hint of cinema between the pages too: the glamor of Audrey Hepburn in Charade , the guarded silence of Robert Redford in Downhill Racer , that stoic look behind mirrored goggles—and the visionary pathos of Luis Trenker, who not only climbed mountains, but saw them as a stage for adventure, for grand gestures, for the eternal interaction between people and nature. And who—as in this photo—loved to surround himself with people who were fascinating on screen and in real life alike: strong characters, strong faces, who had a contribution to make—talent, temperament, or simply the ability to shine in their own way amid the snow. His movies were both wild and romantic, shaped by an idea of freedom that still resonates today. I hope this book inspires you to dream, to travel, and to climb higher, to the next summit and beyond. In every sense.
Bernard Werkmeister
CR ANS MON TA NA
KITZ HEL BU
ISCH PART TEN GARM KIRC HEN
CH AM ON IX
ANDERMATT
AROSA LENZERHEIDE
CRANS-MONTANA
LAAX
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO
Skiing is so much more than just a sport—it’s a way of life that combines elegance, adventure, and love for nature. This Callwey book takes you on a journey through the world's most beautiful ski destinations, from the legendary slopes of the Alps to the untouched snowy landscapes in the USA and Canada.
The focus is on exclusive resorts, hidden gems, and the people behind the scenes who make unforgettable experiences happen. Exciting portraits, fascinating anecdotes, and historical insights provide a fresh take on ski culture—complemented by useful tips for style-conscious travel, the right equipment, and the best spots for après-ski and fine dining.