That's La Plagne contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon affiliate program. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may receive a small commission - at no extra cost to you. I never recommend anything I haven't experienced myself, and the commission helps me keep this site running at full speed! See my Disclosure Policy for extra information.
The Best Ski-Themed Books for Adults and Kids
Planning a reading list for your ski holiday? Whether you’re searching for a mystery novel set on the slopes, a cosy romance in the snow, or a book to get your children excited for their first ski trip, this post has you covered! Below are my top recommendations for ski-themed and wintery reads, perfect for an alpine escape.
Most of these I’ve read – or they are on my to-be-read list. If I’ve read them, I’ve included an honest review on my GoodReads account. So you can always check in and see what I really think!
Get all the juiciest inside secrets about La Plagne, direct to your inbox.
La Plagne lift pass sales, accommodation deals & ski school discounts before anyone else knows about them.
Why I recommend Kindle Unlimited
One of the easiest ways to stock up on ski-themed books without blowing your budget is Kindle Unlimited.
It gives you access to thousands of ebooks and a surprising number of the books I’ve listed in this guide are included.
Whether you’re after cosy romance, snowed-in thrillers, or even kids’ ski stories, there’s plenty to choose from. And it’s especially handy if you're travelling and don’t want to pack a pile of books.
I’ve written a full review of Kindle Unlimited. It covers how it works, who it’s best for, and what to know before signing up.
Right now, there’s a 30-day free trial. Perfect timing if you want to try it for your ski trip and cancel after. Or keep it going all season if you're as much of a book worm as I am. Check out the Kindle Unlimited offer here.
Best Ski-Themed Books for Adults
You can shop the whole list of adult, ski-themed books here.
Mystery & Thriller
1.“The Chalet” by Catherine Cooper
A dual-timeline thriller set in the French Alps, where a ski holiday takes a deadly turn for a group of friends. Full of suspense and atmospheric winter vibes. I listened to this on Audible, and it’s really well-narrated and atmospheric.
2. “The Ski Trip” by Sarah Clarke
A chilling psychological thriller that unfolds on a ski trip gone wrong, digging into secrets that surface amidst the snow. I listened to this on Audible and really enjoyed it – apart from the horrible pronunciation of “génépi” at one point!
3. “Snowdrift” by Helene Tursten
Set in Sweden, this thrilling mystery follows a retired detective solving a murder in a snowy ski town, capturing the intensity of both the investigation and the isolating winter landscape. This is the 3rd book in the Embla Nyström series after Hunting Game and Winter Grave.
4. “Cold Granite” by Stuart MacBride
This Scottish crime novel follows Detective Logan McRae as he investigates a disturbing case in wintry Aberdeen, perfect for fans of darker mysteries with a frosty twist. And if you like it, it’s the first book of 12 for Detective Logan McRae.
5. “The Last Chairlift” by John Irving
This complex classic is a long read! I’m currently listening to it on Audible and it is beautifully narrated. But I’ll be honest, it’s one I keep dipping in and out of. I love the imagery and the narration, but it’s so long, I keep taking a pause to read something else.
Romance & Chick Lit
1.“Sleigh Bells in the Snow” by Sarah Morgan
Set in a snowy mountain resort, this heartwarming romance is ideal for a winter escape, complete with charming resort details and festive cheer. There are 3 books in this series with also Suddenly Last Summer and Maybe This Christmas
2. “Snow Days with You” by Leonie Mack
A beautiful winter romance set in the Alps, where love and friendship unfold amidst the glistening snow and scenic mountain views.
3. “Escape to the Swiss Chalet” by Carrie Walker
A cosy romance set in a picturesque Swiss chalet, blending a charming love story with the allure of snow-covered mountains. Loved this light-hearted read and really great descriptions of yummy good and bougie chalets!
4. “Single in the Snow” by Helen Whittaker
This light-hearted, snow-bound romance follows the ups and downs of single life on a ski holiday, with relatable characters and plenty of laughs. Although I could have done without the descriptions of avalanches! It made me want to head to Canada ASAP!
5. “War and Piste” by Alex Thomas
This humorous memoir recounts the author’s time as a seasonaire in the French Alps, capturing the hilarious and chaotic side of life at a ski resort. I did lol at times when I read this.
Non-fiction ski books
1. “If They Can Walk They Can Ski” by Tori Ski
A great book by Tignes-local ski mum. A brilliant book breaking down how to introduce your littlest ones to skiing. To help them feel comfortable and start to love skiing with you.
2. “Skiing with Kids: The Missing French Phrase Book ” by K Skerritt
This book is so fun. It's got lots of fun, useful and silly phrases that you might just find yourself using on the ski slopes this winter! A gret addition to the ski library.
3. “If Gondolas Could Talk” by John Hemming-Clark
A blend of humour and suspense, this novel offers an inside look at the peculiar incidents and characters you might encounter while riding the gondolas in the Alps.
4. “Après Ski” by Erin Isakov
This is such a beautiful coffee table book all about après ski. I loved thumbing through my copy and soaking in all the history behind one of the best things about skiing! The book is beautifully laid out and the images are really lovely. This is a perfect gift for an après ski lover.
5. “Higher Love: Skiing the Seven Summits” by Kit DesLauriers
DesLauriers' memoir of becoming the first person to ski from the summits of the world’s highest peaks is packed with adventure and awe-inspiring resilience.
6. “30 Years in a White Haze” by Dan Egan
An exciting look at extreme skiing, told through Egan’s thrilling experiences around the globe, mixing memoir with the history of ski culture. I loved reading this and then met Dan afterwards and I can’t lie, I was a little starstruck!
7. “Around the World in 50 Slopes” by Patrick Thorne
Explore 50 iconic ski slopes from all corners of the world, a must-read for those who love travel and skiing alike.
8. “The Edge of Never” by William A. Kerig
A captivating story of extreme skiing and survival, Kerig’s memoir delves into the mental and physical challenges of pushing limits on the mountain.
Escape to the Alps (without leaving the sofa)
From snowy thrillers to heartwarming chalet romances and magical kid’s adventures — this curated PDF gives you every ski-themed book worth reading.
Perfect for:
– Dreaming of ski trips between seasons
– Filling stockings with alpine-approved reads
– Keeping kids entertained without screens
What You’ll Get:
✔️ 50+ book recs sorted by genre and age
✔️ Links to Amazon, Kindle, and Audible
✔️ Designed for real people (not just ski obsessives)
Download your free copy now and start building your perfect ski bookshelf.
Best Ski-Themed Books for Kids
You can shop the whole list of kids’ ski-themed books here.
Ages 0-3: Babies & Toddlers
1.”Pizza, Pizza, French Fries: A Ski Book for Toddlers” by Jared Matthew is a charming introduction to skiing for the youngest skiers. The book’s title references the common ski terms “pizza” (for slowing down) and “french fries” (for speeding up), making it a fun and familiar read for kids learning these techniques on the slopes.
2. “Baby Loves Winter” by Karen Katz
A lift-the-flap book that explores winter scenes, perfect for introducing toddlers to snow and the concept of a winter holiday.
3. “The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats
A classic winter story capturing a child’s joy in a fresh snowfall, with beautiful illustrations that bring the snowy day to life.
Ages 4-7: Young Readers
1. “Ski A to Z” by Kimberly Kay
A fun, educational book that introduces young readers to skiing terminology and mountain culture from A to Z, perfect for beginners. We love this book. The illustrations are gorgeous and Kim is so focused on making the skiing imagery accessible to all. There are representations of people of all colours, abilities and ages. As someone raising Asian children, we struggle to find books where they are represented.
2. “Oh! The Mountains You’ll Ski!” by Dr Chutez
– Dr Chutes A playful parody of Dr Seuss’ classic, packed with silly rhymes and snow-themed fun. It’s great for bedtime reading before the trip and subtly encourages kids to embrace new challenges.
3.“Iceberg” by Claire Saxby
Is a poetic and visually stunning journey through the Antarctic ecosystem, perfect for readers aged 5 to 8. Set in the final freeze of winter, the book begins with green lights flickering in the sky and traces the life cycle of an iceberg as it drifts, melts, and becomes a hub of life as summer arrives.
4. “Teach Your Giraffe to Ski” by Viviane Elbee
A fun story about a giraffe learning to ski, with humorous moments and a lively storyline to get kids excited for their own adventures.
5. “Learning to Ski with Mr. Magee” by Chris Van Dusen
With playful illustrations, this story follows Mr. Magee and his dog on a ski adventure full of fun obstacles and humorous moments.
6. “Dude’s Gotta Snowboard” by Muddy Frank
This action-packed, rhyming book takes kids on a snowboarding adventure, ideal for younger snowboard enthusiasts. I love Magalie the Marmotte, and the author lives in La Plagne, so we are, of course, big fans! The best thing about this book series is that you can get bilingual options so your kids can read in both English and French or Spanish!
Ages 8-12: Chapter Books
1.“Spy Ski School” by Stuart Gibbs
Part of the Spy School series, this adventure story takes readers to a ski resort where a young spy-in-training takes on a snowy mission. This is book 4 of 12 in a series but can be read as a stand-alone book.
2. “Mystery at the Ski Jump” (Nancy Drew #29) by Carolyn Keene
A classic Nancy Drew mystery set on the slopes, where Nancy and her friends uncover clues to solve a snowy crime. Old but a classic if you can get your hands on a copy.
3. “Echo Mountain” by Lauren Wolk
A beautiful story set in a winter landscape, following a young girl’s adventures as she faces both physical and emotional challenges.
4. “Fjord's Mountain Mission: Slope Safety with Fjord the Avalanche Dog” by Caroline Elliot
A safety-focused story that follows an avalanche dog and teaches kids about mountain safety in a fun, engaging way. We love this book. Caroline has put so much thought into it. You can get copies in English and French and it’s also written in a font that is easier for people with dyslexia to read.
Winter-themed reads for adults – think snowy but not ski specific
For those who love the magic of winter reading but aren’t strictly looking for skiing, here’s a list of atmospheric winter-themed books. Perfect for cosying up by the fire after a day on the slopes!
Adults
- “Winter Solstice” by Rosamunde Pilcher – A heartwarming story of family and love set in the Scottish Highlands, with all the cosy vibes of a winter read. I LOVE this book because it was my `grandma’s favourite, and when she died, all of us grandkids were able to take a copy from her bookshelf because she always bought them at secondhand shops to gift to people.
- “The Snow Child” by Eowyn Ivey – A magical tale inspired by Alaskan folklore, full of winter wonder and atmospheric writing.
- “One Day in December” by Josie Silver – A winter love story that spans several years, set in the snowy streets of London.
- “The Bear and the Nightingale” by Katherine Arden – A fantasy novel inspired by Russian folklore, capturing the enchanting, harsh winter landscape. This is book 1 in a trilogy, with The Girl in the Tower and The Winter of the Witch.
Children
- “The Mitten” by Jan Brett – Aged 1 – 3. A charming tale about woodland animals seeking warmth in a mitten lost in the snow, with Brett’s famous intricate illustrations. My kids both read this at school and love it. It was a firm favourite for a while.
- “Snowmen at Night” by Caralyn Buehner – Aged 3 – 5. A whimsical story about the secret lives of snowmen, perfect for bedtime reading.
- “Over and Under the Snow” by Kate Messner – Aged 5 – 8 years. A poetic exploration of the hidden world beneath the snow, ideal for young nature lovers.
- “The Polar Express” by Chris Van Allsburg – Aged 3 – 6 years. A classic Christmas story that captures the magic of winter and the spirit of adventure. We always read this one at Christmas.
- “The Snow Queen” by Hans Christian Andersen – Aged 4 – 7 years. A timeless fairy tale that takes readers on a snowy journey with themes of bravery and friendship. The imagery is just beautiful.
- “The Gruffalo's Child” by Julia Donaldson – Aged 3 – 7. It’s a delightful wintery follow-up to the beloved classic The Gruffalo. With rhyming text and Axel Scheffler’s whimsical illustrations, this tale captures the wonder and bravery of childhood adventure in the snowy forest.
What about Audiobooks? Try Audible
If you’d rather listen than read – while packing, travelling, or on the ski lift – Audible is brilliant.
Many of the books in this guide are available as audiobooks, and it's a great way to sneak in some stories when your hands are full.
I use it for both adult books and family-friendly listens, especially on long drives to and from resort.
Right now, Audible is offering 3 months for just 99p – which is honestly one of the best deals I’ve ever seen. You can cancel anytime, and even if you do, the audiobooks you’ve downloaded are yours to keep. Check out the Audible offer here.
The best ski-themed reads
Whether you’re after a suspenseful mystery, a heartfelt romance, or a book to get your kids ready for the slopes, I hope this list of ski and winter-themed recommendations has something for you.
Don’t forget to follow my Goodreads account for more updates on ski-related books. I’m constantly adding to it and reviewing all the ski books I can get my hands on!
And check out my Kindle Unlimited Review and Audible posts for more tips on accessible winter reading and why these less conventional reading styles might be perfect for your next ski holiday.
See you on the slopes!
You can download the full book list here if you want to save it for later.
