Updated September 1, 2025
Snowboarding pulls you in. Once you’re hooked, that’s it — you’re thinking about it all year.
But we all have off days and off seasons.
When I can’t ride, I read.
Over the years, I’ve burned through a stack of snowboard books. Some were epic, some were forgettable. This list is the good stuff. The ones that actually stuck with me. Enjoy.
🏆 Quick Pick
The best book for snowboarders is The Art of Shralpinism: Lessons from the Mountain. It’s an easy read packed with stoke, sharp advice, and the kind of lines that make you itch for winter. Jeremy Jones knows his stuff. This book proves it.
Top 3 Roundup
Best Snowboard Books
1. The Art of Shralpinism: Lessons from the Mountains
- Jones, Jeremy (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 288 Pages - 10/18/2022 (Publication Date) - Mountaineers Books (Publisher)
Blending personal stories with real mountain insight, The Art of Shralpinism hit me in a way most snowboarding books don’t. I expected gear talk or technical how-to, but what I got was something way more thoughtful.
Jeremy Jones opens up about his mindset, mistakes, and how his relationship with the mountains has changed over decades of riding serious terrain. There’s a mix of trip stories, sketches, conversations with other riders, and solid advice on everything from risk to resilience.
It’s not a beginner’s guide. It’s more like a philosophy book for snowboarders. If snowboarding is just a hobby, this might feel heavy. But if it’s something you think about even when you’re not on snow, it’ll land hard.
I’ve reread a bunch of chapters already. This one’s earned a permanent spot on my shelf.
Respect to Jeremy. The guy just gets it.
2. Fifty Places to Ski and Snowboard Before You Die
- Hardcover Book
- Santella, Chris (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 224 Pages - 10/15/2013 (Publication Date) - Stewart, Tabori & Chang (Publisher)
One of the best things about snowboarding is how it pulls you toward incredible places. Big lines, remote peaks, that feeling of standing somewhere most people never will.
Fifty Places to Ski and Snowboard Before You Die taps into that feeling perfectly. It’s loaded with insane photos and short stories from pros and locals who’ve ridden these spots for real.
What I liked most was how it mixes iconic destinations with more off-the-radar picks. You get a good dose of dream fuel, but also ideas you might actually chase. I found myself bookmarking pages and looking up flights I can’t afford. Worth checking out.
3. Still Sideways: Riding the Edge Again after Losing My Sight
- Hardcover Book
- Raney, Devon (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 320 Pages - 02/04/2020 (Publication Date) - Patagonia (Publisher)
Big shoutout to one of our readers (thanks, Joe) for putting this one on my radar. It’s easily one of the most memorable snowboarding books I’ve read.
The story follows the author’s return to riding after losing their vision. But it’s not just about snowboarding. It’s about grit, resilience, and pushing forward when everything says you can’t.
What really worked for me was the balance. It’s raw and honest, but also funny and surprisingly light in places. I went in expecting inspiration and came out with way more.
4. Chasing Epic: The Snowboard Photographs of Jeff Curtes
- Hardcover Book
- English (Publication Language)
- 84 Pages - 11/01/2014 (Publication Date) - AMMO Books (Publisher)
This book blends great photography with real stories from the people who shaped snowboarding. It’s not just a highlight reel. It gets into the early days, the culture, and what keeps riders coming back.
What stuck with me were the personal moments. Kau Kakubo, Jason Brown, and a bunch of other legends share stuff that feels honest and grounded. It’s the kind of book that reminds you why snowboarding matters.
If you’re into the roots of the sport or just want something to flip through when there’s no fresh snow, it’s a solid choice.
5. Hold Fast, Tweak Hard
- Hardcover Book
- Goodwin, Michael (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 216 Pages - 01/28/2020 (Publication Date) - World Snowboard Guide Ltd. (Publisher)
I should probably give this its full name…
Hold Fast, Tweak Hard: Ingenuity, Insanity, and 25 Years of European Snowboarding’s Wildest Ride – Method Magazine.
If you’ve been riding since the 90s, you already know what Method meant. It wasn’t just a magazine. It was the loud, unfiltered voice of snowboarding in Europe. Wild layouts, wild opinions, wild everything.
This book dives deep into that legacy. The culture, the chaos, the way it shaped a whole generation of riders. It’s packed with stories, visuals, and behind-the-scenes grit from the crew that made it all happen.
If you want to understand snowboarding beyond tricks and gear, this one hits different. It’s about the attitude that keeps the sport real.
6. Snowboard Wisdom: 100 Reflections on Life and Riding
- Appl, NIck (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 140 Pages - 10/30/2015 (Publication Date) - CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (Publisher)
Snowboard Wisdom isn’t some flashy guide or big-name memoir. It’s quieter than that. It reads like a series of reflections from someone who’s spent a lifetime learning from the mountains, and isn’t in a rush to impress anyone.
It talks about discipline, fear, patience, and those strange little lessons snowboarding teaches you over time. The writing has heart, but it’s not trying too hard. Just honest thoughts about life on snow.
If you’ve ever found yourself staring down a line and thinking about more than just the ride, you’ll probably connect with this one. It’s the kind of book you read slow, and come back to later.
7. 100 Slopes of a Lifetime
- Hardcover Book
- Megroz, Gordy (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 400 Pages - 11/23/2021 (Publication Date) - National Geographic (Publisher)
Another visual one, but worth the shelf space. 100 Slopes of a Lifetime is a National Geographic-style deep dive into the world’s most iconic ski and snowboard destinations.
The photos are next-level, but what I like is the variety. It’s not just powder meccas like Japan and Alaska (although you know how much I love those). There are spots in unexpected corners of the world, with notes on what makes each one unique.
It’s the kind of book you flip through when you’re snow-starved mid-summer. Ideal coffee table material for my fellow snow nerds.
What To Look for in a Great Snowboarding Book
Most snowboarders don’t want to read a long, heavy novel when picking up a snowboarding book. What works best are shorter reads that focus on one cool part of the sport. Tricks, travel, gear or personal stories.
Then there are the photo-driven books. These usually highlight 10+ years of jaw-dropping snowboard photography. The pictures alone are enough to fuel your snowboard stoke, especially during the off-season.
Conclusion
Pick one, read it, pass it on.
Some are raw, some are deep, all of them hit.
Whether you’re couch-bound or chasing winter, these books actually get it.
See you out there.
Snowboard Books FAQ
Absolutely. Even with all the online videos and tutorials out there, snowboarding books can go way deeper. You get structured info, insider tips from pros, and often a ton of history and culture you won’t find on YouTube. Plus, they’re perfect for the off-season.
There’s a big range — from technique and training guides, to photography-heavy coffee table books, to memoirs from pro riders. Some focus on tricks and freestyle, others on big mountain riding or the sport’s history.
If you’re looking to improve your riding, go for a training or technique book. If you want to get inspired or learn more about snowboarding culture, grab a memoir or a photo-heavy book. Honestly, the best quiver has both.
Yep — especially if you’re the type who learns by understanding the “why” behind technique. Books can break down body mechanics, stance, and movement in a way that sticks with you the next time you’re on snow.
Honestly, any of the above. You probably won't improve technique through reading alone, but knowledge is power - especially when it comes to gear and safety tips.
