Winter's Children: A Celebration of Nordic Skiing by Ryan Rodgers

Dreams of Nordic Skiing? Can't wait to wax and get out in the cold air? Winter's Children is a gorgeous illustrated book that takes you down the trail of cross-country skiing in the Midwest from its earliest days to present times.  Ryan Rodgers traces the rise and fall of Nordic skiing from its introduction in the late 1800s to its uncertain future in today's rapidly changing climate. This book was published by the Minnesota Press in 2021. Each chapter covers a decade in the history of Nordic skiing in the Midwest through the 2000s and each page has fascinating black and white photos that accompany the fascinating stories along the way.  Rave reviews from students, readers, Olympians, and many many more! 

Ryan Rodgers is a freelance writer and avid skier whose work has been published in Backpacker, The Sun, Minnesota Conservation Volunteer, Hamline, and Northern Wilds magazines. He is the former board president of the Standing Cedars Community Land Conservancy, a 1,500-acre nonprofit land trust along the St. Croix River, and lives with his family in northern Minnesota.