Skip to main content

Distributed for University of British Columbia Press

Making Meaning Out of Mountains

The Political Ecology of Skiing

Mountains bear the imprint of human activity. Scars from logging and surface mining sit alongside national parks and ski lodges. Although the environmental effects of extractive industries are well known, skiing is more likely to bring to mind images of luxury, wealth, and health. Drawing on interviews, field observations, and media analysis, Stoddart reveals the multiple, often conflicting meanings attached to skiing by skiers, mass media, First Nations, industry leaders, and environmentalists in British Columbia. Stoddart challenges us to reflect on skiing’s negative effects as he exposes how certain groups came to be viewed as the “natural” inhabitants and legitimate managers of mountain environments.

240 pages


Table of Contents

1 Introduction: The Attractive Economy of Skiing

2 Skiing Naturecultures and the Mountainous Sublime

3 Cyborg Skiers and Snowy Collectives

4 Environmental Subjectivity and the Ecopolitics of Skiing

5 Skiing and Social Power

6 Conclusion: Toward a Political Ecology of Skiing

7 Epilogue: The 2010 Olympics and the Ecopolitics of Snow

Notes

Bibliography 

Index

Be the first to know

Get the latest updates on new releases, special offers, and media highlights when you subscribe to our email lists!

Sign up here for updates about the Press