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The Edge of Never: A Skier's Story of Life, Death, and Dreams in the World's Most Dangerous Mountains
In the world of big-mountain skiing, Trevor Petersen was a legend. Appearing in countless films, magazines and photo shoots, his ponytail flying behind him, he was the very embodiment of the freewheeling spirit of extreme skiing in the 1980s and early ’90s.
Then it all came to an end. On February 26, 1996, while skiing in Chamonix, France – the so-called Death Sport Capital of the World – an avalanche swept Trevor away. His body was found sitting up in the snow as if gazing at the mountains he loved.
Nearly a decade later, Trevor’s fifteen-year-old son, Kye Petersen, a rising star in his own right, traveled to Chamonix to ski the run that took his father’s life and, with the aid of some of the world’s greatest ski mountaineers, to become a member of skiing’s big-mountain tribe.
There to chronicle Kye’s story was William A. Kerig, a filmmaker with a dream of his own – to create a film about the soul of big-mountain skiing and the band of mountaineers who ski the steepest, wildest, most dangerous terrain in the world.
In The Edge of Never, Kerig gives us not only a ripping adventure tale about a young man coming of age but a frank and subtle portrait of the extreme skiers who "live big" in the face of death and risk everything to experience the fullness of life in the mountains.
Then it all came to an end. On February 26, 1996, while skiing in Chamonix, France – the so-called Death Sport Capital of the World – an avalanche swept Trevor away. His body was found sitting up in the snow as if gazing at the mountains he loved.
Nearly a decade later, Trevor’s fifteen-year-old son, Kye Petersen, a rising star in his own right, traveled to Chamonix to ski the run that took his father’s life and, with the aid of some of the world’s greatest ski mountaineers, to become a member of skiing’s big-mountain tribe.
There to chronicle Kye’s story was William A. Kerig, a filmmaker with a dream of his own – to create a film about the soul of big-mountain skiing and the band of mountaineers who ski the steepest, wildest, most dangerous terrain in the world.
In The Edge of Never, Kerig gives us not only a ripping adventure tale about a young man coming of age but a frank and subtle portrait of the extreme skiers who "live big" in the face of death and risk everything to experience the fullness of life in the mountains.
- GenresNonfiction
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 16, 2016
This book was very good, i loved how they set it up. They made the book sound like you were in the moment and it seemed so realistic. I loved how they give a bunch of life lessons in this book and it taught me and great lesson and it can also change peoples life. The problem i had with this book was that it went by kinda slow and it didn't get to the climax until later in the book. If you love thrillers i think this would be a great book for you
March 31, 2014
Kye Petersen was just 15 years old in 2005 when he skied the Glacier Rond in Chamonix, France with some of the most well respected and immensely talented skiers in the world including Anselme Baud, a pioneer in alpinism and extreme skiing. Fitting, then, that Chamonix is home to some of the world’s most challenging and dangerous back-country skiing (affectionately dubbed “the death-sport capital of the world” on account of the 60+ casualties that occur there every year) and Kye’s ability to successfully navigate those nearly vertical, ice-covered slopes is a testament to both his skill and his character.
As if that weren’t impressive enough, Glacier Rond (“The Exit”) is the run that killed Kye’s father, Trevor Petersen, in 1996. While learning to spot crevasses and avoid falling seracs with the best of the best, Kye said goodbye to his father in the only way that he knew how: closure on the slopes, their mutual home.
The Edge of Never documents Kye’s first real exposure to the world of extreme skiing and follows him as he steps out of his father’s shadow and learns to become his own man and to ski for himself. Today Kye is living life on the top; he is one of the best skiers of his generation and has made a place for himself among the Anselme Bauds and Sylvain Saudans of the world. This life is dangerous beyond belief, but Kye is truly one of those rare and wonderful people whose very soul belongs to the mountain.
A good story well written.
As if that weren’t impressive enough, Glacier Rond (“The Exit”) is the run that killed Kye’s father, Trevor Petersen, in 1996. While learning to spot crevasses and avoid falling seracs with the best of the best, Kye said goodbye to his father in the only way that he knew how: closure on the slopes, their mutual home.
The Edge of Never documents Kye’s first real exposure to the world of extreme skiing and follows him as he steps out of his father’s shadow and learns to become his own man and to ski for himself. Today Kye is living life on the top; he is one of the best skiers of his generation and has made a place for himself among the Anselme Bauds and Sylvain Saudans of the world. This life is dangerous beyond belief, but Kye is truly one of those rare and wonderful people whose very soul belongs to the mountain.
A good story well written.
February 7, 2011
As a skiier, I really enjoyed this. In contrast with the majority of "whoah, Dude!" skiing books, it's serious and gritty. There's little hype, and a great emphasis on the seriousness that takes over in a high alpine environment. Kye Peterson has his hand held by some of the best in skiing, but always in a realistic context with a great deal of respect for his age and the unfortunate story that brought him to Chamonix. It's fun to see the reunion of Plake, Hattrup and Stump after so many years, but also rewarding to see the depth of understanding and respect they have for the mountains - after all, that's why they're still alive!
It's also an interesting story of what goes on behind the production of a big skiing movie. Though Kerig sets out to shoot a father & son story, the footage ends up in "Steep", a very different (though very good) skiing movie.
It's also an interesting story of what goes on behind the production of a big skiing movie. Though Kerig sets out to shoot a father & son story, the footage ends up in "Steep", a very different (though very good) skiing movie.
September 27, 2012
This was a great read and a fantastic story. OK so I am slightly biased having met Glen Plake on a few occasions and as I live and work in Chamonix. But for those interested in the world of big mountain skiing and the history of extreme skiing this is a must read. Apart from the story of Kye going to Chamonix to ski the run where his father, Trevor met his death all those years ago the story brings together some of the great characters and heroes of this magical world; Glen Plake, Anselme Baud, Stephane Dan and Mike Hattrup to name but a few. And the setting is without doubt one of the most famous and breathtaking steep skiing destinations in the world.
January 10, 2010
Compulsive read. Like the author, I felt uncomfortable about the basic premise of the expedition: 15 year-old son skis the very run that his father died on. That aside, I appreciated the history of extreme big-mountain skiing, Chamonix, and the skiiers involved, as well as the descriptions of skiing. This incredible story felt even more unbelievable when I visited Kerig's website: www.theedgeofnever.com and saw the pictures behind the story. Sometimes seeing is NOT believing. Can't wait for the movie!!!
February 18, 2011
I didn't get into this book right away, but it wasn't too long before I became engrossed in this tale of two extreme skiers--a father and his teenage son. The son is challenged by a filmaker to go to Chamonix (France) and ski the same mountain where his father was killed in an avalanche. This book is about obsession and risk taking. It's also about family. Although I have some serious misgivings about the seemingly senesless risks these skiers take, which frequently result in serious injury and loss of life, I did find the core story to be quite riveting.
January 15, 2009
I had a surprisingly hard time putting this down. I say surprisingly, because I've been to a presentation by Bill (author) and gotten to know him a bit over the last few months and he's such an unassuming, humble guy that I didn't expect this. Perhaps it's because I love skiing (even though I don't do nearly as much of it anymore) or because I've been able to spend some time in Chamonix (where the story unfolds) that this was such a page turner. But wow... great story.
May 21, 2009
Quick read on trying to make a film to capture why skiers ski such extreme terrain. The film crew takes some world renown skiers and 15 year old Kye Peterson to Chamonix to have him ski terrain he has never been exposed to. Kerig's descriptions of the terrain at Chamonix do justice to how difficult the mountain is. Take a look at some of the pictures of what he describes and you won't believe they are skiing some of this stuff!
June 28, 2010
What an outstanding book! It's the story of a 15 year old professional skiier who travels to Chamonix to learn about big mountain skiing and to face the mountain that killed his father ten years earlier. Along the way, he meets up with his dad's old friends who take him under their wings and teach him the ropes of big mountain skiing in the alps before guiding him down the route that killed his dad. Can't wait to watch the movie!
September 18, 2013
A highly interesting story, even touching at times, but I found it a bit long-winded; it could have been told in 60 pages rather than 250. A decent read about a topic I love-- who doesn't love a coming of age story with a dash of mountaineering and tragic backstory?-- but I wasn't blown away. I might recommend it to someone for incremental bus reading.
April 16, 2009
Great book and a quick read about Kye Peterson skiing the line that killed his father, Trevor, 10 years earlier. It gives good background on Chamonix and ski mountaineering. It was the original idea for the movie Steep until the producer, Peter Jennings, decided to go another direction.
March 21, 2011
Wow. This is an amazing true story of a father and son's incredible descent down the Exit Coulier in Chamonix, France. Well-written its one of those stories you can't put down. Cris and I read this one together and loved it.
January 15, 2015
I really liked this book i thought that the book got my attention in the beginning of the book and held it all the way through. There were alot of very intense moments throughout the book especially when kye is atop the run his father died on. i rate this book a 5 out of 5
December 30, 2008
Great story about extreme skiing - both current skiers and the history intertwined.
August 21, 2009
Can't wait for the movie!
March 11, 2010
I want to go to Chamonix now. I probably should not have read this book right after my recent cliff falling experiences.
February 8, 2011
Couldn't put it down. If you like skiing, outdoorsy sports, or just heartfelt stories, you'll probably enjoy this book.
February 29, 2012
Surprisingly good read. Cool story about a 15-year old skier who comes to Chamoix to ski the run his father was killed on 12 years before. Asa Turok gave me the book!
August 12, 2012
I loved this book. It kept me very interested
August 31, 2013
I thought that this was a wonderful read. If you like adventure memoirs, this is a great one.
January 23, 2015
I watched this documentary over the weekend and was blown away by this story. I'm looking forward to reading the book.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews