“After months of negotiation, list-making and packing, the day finally came when the first part of my journey was to begin. That winter morning I kissed my family goodbye, closed the door on the warm house and walked away under a sky the colour of dull lead. Slowly, I felt the weight of the city begin to lift” (P10, The Snow Tourist, C. English, 2008)
A search for the world’s purest, deepest snowfall reads the description on the front cover. I spontaneously picked up this book while looking for a different travel book in the local book sellers. In hindsight, having just spent the last few days thoroughly engrossed, I’m happy the other book wasn’t available.
At its most descriptive level, The Snow Tourist is a record of one man’s experiences as he attempts to find the best snow in the world. However, after reading the first few pages it becomes clear that this is a more than just a simple record of events. Filled with the history and science of snowfall, English uses snow-related art and poetry to expand certain points and feelings, and ultimately expresses his almost childlike passion for snow, the world over. By combining the incredible events he experiences on his quest, with the culture and history that surrounds snow, it is hard not to find yourself yearning to pack a bag and enjoy snow for all it is worth. Fortunately in 10 days time, I am.
What I feel I enjoyed most about this rare gem was the discovery that my personal affinity for snow is something that is clearly shared with countless others. On a physical level, Snow is just the end product of combining cold with water. In reality, of course, it is so much more. For the Inuit it is a means of survival, for the winter sports enthusiast it is the substance that forms an adrenaline-filled winter playground. While it may at some times be a hindrance to certain areas of the world, it is a hindrance that the world should put up with. If all the speculation surrounding global warming is proved to be correct, it seems snowfall is a dying luxury. Let’s all enjoy it while we can. As English so succintly describes it:
“Beauty fades, people die, civilisations rise and fall. Our lives, like those of snow crystals, are transient moments within a succession of other transiences. We resemble those crystals in another way, too. Like them, we are made mostly of water. When we die, the water in us will find its way to the sea, where in time it will be lifted up by the sun, to fall again as snow.” (P58, The Snow Tourist)
This really is an enchanting read. English’s easy narrative style and his clear fascination for snow, be it fearful or loving, creates a travelogue full of wonder and intrigue. His clearly heavy level of research, driven by passion, helps to give the book an informative tone throughout. A thought provoking tale of one man’s quest to explore snow becomes overshadowed by a struggle to truly understand the forces that drive him. If you enjoy snow you will enjoy this book.
The Snow Tourist
By Charlie English
(Portobello Books. £8.99)
Some interesting insights there, what would you recommend a newcomer to all of this read from here?