Kimberley books in for return to roots
SKIER and author Kimberley Kay returned to her roots to hold a book signing at the outdoor ski slope where she honed her skills.
At The Hill, home of Ski Rossendale, she was reunited with manager Dave Fuller, one of the slope’s founders.
Her book Ski A-Z is a practical guide to everything skiing, from venues and terminology, to top tips she has acquired after more than 40 years of racing, teaching and promoting skiing holidays.
An illustrator by trade, she created the beautiful images in the book, and is now turning them into fabrics.
Dave said: “It is great to see Kim again. I have known her and her whole family for a lot of years and it is lovely to see her giving back to the skiing community through this wonderful book.
“It is great, easy to understand and is really going to help a lot of people.”
Kimberley was born in Stacksteads, attended Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School, Accrington and Rossendale College and then Edge Hill University.
She took her passion around the country, competing in races and helping
others to learn. She then moved to Austria, where she began teaching children all about her beloved sport. She now lives in Sheffield with her husband and stepchildren, who also feature in her book’s illustrations.
Kimberley said: “I’ve had so many wonderful experiences with skiing, made so many wonderful friends and I believe that if I didn’t have it then there would be a lot less light in my life. I used skiing as a metaphor for joy – it’s
great to just put yourself out there and go beyond your comfort zone.
“You can’t think of anything else – you just have to concentrate on what you’re doing, it’s a great switch-off. The book is my legacy and I hope it will make skiing more accessible to people so they can feel more confident.”
She was previously asked to submit illustrations for Dan Egan and Eric Wilbur’s extreme skiing book 30 Years In a White Haze.
They asked for ten black and white images – she provided more than 20 to choose from and ended up having 22 included in the book. When she pitched the idea of her own book to Europe’s leading sports publisher Meyer & Meyer Sport, it only took them 40 minutes to agree a deal.
Kimberley said: “The book complements instruction and is for everyone, grandparents helping children get into the sport and groups of skiers
to help them get into skiing. I include my top tips and also the experience I have gained from over the years.”
Her mum Maureen accompanied her at the book signing, and said: “I am just so proud of her. I know the amount of work that has gone into creating the book.”
In full colour hardback format and ebook, Ski A to Z is available to buy now on all online book retailers and through bookshops.