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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!
Some links in this post are affiliate links, so I may earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Planning a family ski holiday?
Get my free Ski Holiday Planning Pack: the Ski Holiday Reset Planner, the Ski Lessons & Ski Hire Guide, the Accommodation Guide and the Transfer Guide, written by a local mum of three to help you plan your La Plagne trip.
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.
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.
Ski books for little ones: ages 0 to 4
For tiny skiers, future skiers and toddlers who mostly want to eat the snow.
Pizza, Pizza, French Fries: A Ski Book for Toddlers
Jared Matthew
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.
Skiing for Babies: A First Book for Tiny Fans
Nevenka Butterfield
Soft watercolour chairlifts and powder days.
Good Night Ski Mountain
Adam Gamble & Mark Jasper
A bedtime tour of a ski resort. Board book.
Baby Loves Winter!
Karen Katz
A lift-the-flap book that explores winter scenes, perfect for introducing toddlers to snow and the concept of a winter holiday.
Ski picture books: ages 4 to 8
The ski holiday hype starts here.
Oh, the Mountains You'll Ski!
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.
Teach Your Giraffe to Ski
Viviane Elbee, illus. Danni Gowdy
A fun story about a giraffe learning to ski, with humorous moments and a lively storyline to get kids excited for their own adventures.
Learning to Ski with Mr. Magee
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.
Ski A to Z
Kimberley 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.
Goodnight Chairlift
Libby Ludlow, illus. Nathan Y. Jarvis
A bedtime story for little skiers and snowboarders.
Over and Under the Snow
Kate Messner
Aged 5–8. A poetic exploration of the hidden world beneath the snow, ideal for young nature lovers.
The Snowy Day
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.
The Gruffalo's Child
Julia Donaldson
Aged 3–7. 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.
The Mitten
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
Caralyn Buehner
Aged 3–5. A whimsical story about the secret lives of snowmen, perfect for bedtime reading.
The Polar Express
Chris Van Allsburg
Aged 3–6. 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
Illus. P.J. Lynch
Aged 4–7. A timeless fairy tale that takes readers on a snowy journey with themes of bravery and friendship. The imagery is just beautiful.
Iceberg
Claire Saxby
It 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.
Ski chapter books: ages 8 to 12
For the ones who read under the duvet with a torch.
Dude's Gotta Snowboard
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!
Fjord's Mountain Mission
Caroline Elliott
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.
Spy Ski School
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.
Mystery at the Ski Jump
Carolyn Keene (Nancy Drew #29)
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.
Echo Mountain
Lauren Wolk
A beautiful story set in a winter landscape, following a young girl’s adventures as she faces both physical and emotional challenges.
Winter books for teens: 12+
Hand them one of these and a hot chocolate.
A Castle in the Clouds
Kerstin Gier
Secrets, mystery and a bit of romance in a Swiss mountain hotel.
Books for parents: skiing with kids
The books I'd hand any parent planning their first family ski trip.
If They Can Walk They Can Ski
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.
Skiing in France with Kids: The Missing French Phrasebook
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 great addition to the ski library.
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.
Ski holiday romance
Ski instructors, cosy chalets and very convenient snowstorms.
Ski, Sparks & Serendipity
Marion De Ré
Light, cosy and refreshingly well written. Kindle Unlimited.
Single in the Snow
Helen Whitaker
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!
Escape to the Swiss Chalet
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!
Snow Days With You
Leonie Mack
A beautiful winter romance set in the Alps, where love and friendship unfold amidst the glistening snow and scenic mountain views.
Sleigh Bells in the Snow
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
Ski thrillers and cosy crime
Murder in the chalet, secrets on the slopes.
The Chalet
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.
The Ski Trip
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!
The Ski Resort
Catherine O'Connell
An Aspen ski patroller and an avalanche. Previously First Tracks.
Snowdrift
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.
Cold Granite
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.
Seasonnaire life
For anyone who's done a season, or dreamt of one.
The Secret Ski Seasonaire
Anonymous
The unfiltered (and very funny) inside story. Grown-ups only.
War & Piste
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.
Ski memoir, history and big mountains
Real stories, big lines and coffee-table books.
Higher Love: Climbing and Skiing the Seven Summits
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.
Thirty Years in a White Haze
Dan Egan with Eric Wilbur
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!
Around the World in 50 Slopes
Patrick Thorne
Explore 50 iconic ski slopes from all corners of the world, a must-read for those who love travel and skiing alike.
Après Ski: The Scene, the Style, the Menu
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.
If Gondolas Could Talk
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.
The Last Chairlift
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.
The Edge of Never
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.
Snowed-in cosy reads
No skiing, all the winter feels.
Winter Solstice
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
Eowyn Ivey
A magical tale inspired by Alaskan folklore, full of winter wonder and atmospheric writing.
The Bear and the Nightingale
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.
One Day in December
Josie Silver
A winter love story that spans several years, set in the snowy streets of London.
The ones I’d skip
I read them so you don’t have to. You’re welcome. (No buy buttons here, obviously.)
The Après-Ski Proposal
Cassandra Joelle
Stiff dialogue (misconstrued, anyone?), a fake-dating plot that never really gets going and an epilogue that introduces a whole new cast. If you love clean Christian romance, you might enjoy it more than I did.
Snowed Under (Aspen Peaks #2)
Juliana Smith
The author can write and the setting’s great, but I couldn’t stand most of the characters. And the skiing: a nine-year-old goes from the magic carpet to mute grabs and back to snowploughs. What?
Let It Snow
Beth Moran
The story is sweet and festive, but the audiobook narration killed it for me, especially the love interest’s voice. If you fancy it, read it rather than listen.
The Secrets of a Ski Nanny
Cheryl Dummer
I just couldn’t get into it. I couldn’t find my rhythm with it at all, and I don’t think I made it past the first ten or so pages.
Ski Trip
Jason Letts
A masterclass in how not to write a thriller about kidnapped women. Baffling decisions, flat characters and nobody thinks to call the police. It also includes sexual violence. A firm skip.
Shop the full book lists
Want the lot? Every ski book list in my Amazon shop.
Ski books for the whole family
Ski books: ages 0 to 4
Ski books: ages 4 to 8
Ski books: ages 8 to 12
Ski books for grown-ups
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.
Looking for more presents for ski lovers? Have a look at my full ski gift guide.
