300winmag:

Thanks for that tip. I finally found "Mike and Allen's Really Cool Backcountry Ski Book" at a little community co-op bookstore in the Parkhill neighborhood of Denver for $6. It really is a funny book, but with lots of info. I've also bought some XC skis and a four-season tent (all used), so I'm slowly gettin' there. Yet another learning curve.

At that Parkhill bookstore, I also, for $2, found an ancient book called Zen and the Cross Country Skier (1976.) Looks interesting and will read when it's no longer 100F here.