“Powder Ghost Towns: Epic Backcountry Runs in Colorado’s Lost Ski Country Towns” ($15.95, Wilderness Press) makes it hard to sit in the office knowing that it’s snowing right now in one of the 36 abandoned or never-built ski areas that this book covers. These are hidden spots with potential powder stashes usually unheard of at the crowded ski resorts, and with far fewer people — sometimes you’ll be alone — as well as interesting features that make the harder work of getting to some of them well worth it. Author Peter Bronski is a Boulder resident and avid backcountry skier, and he makes a point of asking readers to be respectful of private property, as well as be aware of avalanche dangers in these remote areas. With the entries for each trail he offers a history of the skiing, a well-marked topo, GPS markers, directions to the trailhead, approach description and a website link for après ski restaurant options. You can meet Bronski on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Denver REI Flagship store (1416 Platte St.) and Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. at the REI Boulder (1789 28th St.). Kyle Wagner
