The Darkest White

A Mountain Legend and the Avalanche That Took Him

By: Eric Blehm

Narrated by: Dan Bittner

Length: 12 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

“Eric Blehm offers an insightful perspective on how Craig Kelly became the effortless icon that we all revered as well as sobering details of how his heroic journey tragically ended. The Darkest White is a must read, not just for fans of snowboarding, but for anyone looking for inspiration from an unlikely hero.”—Tony Hawk

From Eric Blehm, the bestselling author of The Last Season and Fearless, comes an extraordinary new book in the vein of Into the Wild, the story of the legendary snowboarder Craig Kelly and his death in the 2003 Durrand Glacier Avalanche—a devastating and controversial tragedy that claimed the lives of seven people.

On January 20, 2003, a thunderous crack rang out and a 100-foot-wide tide of snow barreled down the Northern Selkirk Mountains in British Columbia, Canada. More than a dozen skiers and snowboarders were thrust down the mountain, buried beneath several tons of rock-hard snow and ice in the Durrand Glacier Avalanche. A heroic search and rescue ensued. Among those buried was Craig Kelly—“the Michael Jordan of snowboarding”—a man who had propelled the sport into the mainstream before walking away from competitions, to rekindle his passion in the untamed alpine wilds of North America

The Darkest White is the story of Craig Kelly’s life, a heartbreaking but extraordinary and inspiring odyssey of a latchkey kid whose athletic prowess and innovations would revolutionize winter sports, take him around the globe, and push him into ever more extreme environments that would ultimately take his life. It is also a definitive, immersive account of snowboarding and the cultural movement that exploded around it, growing the sport from minor Gen X cult hobby to Olympic centerpiece and a billion-dollar business full of feuds and rivalries. Finally, The Darkest White is a mesmerizing, cautionary portrait of the mountains, of the allure and the glory they offer, and of the avalanches they unleash with unforgiving fury.

“Eric Blehm took on this biography as I imagine Craig Kelly took on the halfpipe. He studied it, chose his line, and pulled everything off—even tough parts—with grace and style. It’s not just a terrific story of an amazing life, not just the origin story of an entire sport, but a riveting disaster narrative that builds tension masterfully. The Darkest White grabbed me and didn’t let go."—Jack Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Terminal List series

©2024 Eric Blehm (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers

It feels like you are there!!

Eric Blehm continues to impress. You can tell how much he puts into his books to get it right. I was floored by his military books which led me to read all of them. This one did not disappoint. When he gets to the avalanche its feels like you are there. Im a military guy and never really participated in snow sports. Eric hooked me with Fearless and Legend and i have enjoyed this and his other books just as much

Legend

Kelly's story is one of a kind. True legend of his time and taken to early.

intense as it gets

One of the best and most impactful books I have ever read. made me emotional from the start.

Incredible!!

If only there were more than 5 stars to rate a book!
This book was perfection. I knew nothing about snowboarding. I don't even ski. But this book was riveting...everything about it,..both the story and the narrator...absolutely excellent! Be prepared to have tissues on hand for the ending. I HIGHLY recommend this incredible book.

craig kelly is my copilot

As someone passionate about snowboarding and a fan of Craig Kelly, I found this book impossible to put down. The writing is superb, drawing you instantly into Kelly's life story. Even if you're not into snowboarding or familiar with its culture, you'll still find inspiration in this book and in Kelly's life.
Thank you, Eric.

Avalanche Tragedy

I got this based on the NYT review. But I found it a bit tedious, going into detail about each snowboarding venture. The writing is good and the narration excellent, but it lacked drama. The main character goes around the world helicopter-boarding on virgin snow. It's never explained how he can afford to do this terribly self-indulgent "sport". And the "science" of avalanches is obviously quite flawed and subject to the personalities of egotistical boarders. Though well-crafted, it left me a bit unsatisfied.

Tragic, but a snowboarder must-read

An incredible lead up and account of a tragedy which also pays incredible homage to the legend Craig, Kelly.

this was an amazing book, strongly recommended

A a snowboarder of 30 years and having grown up in the Pacific Northwest only 15 minutes from Craig Kelly's stomping grounds, this story hits home. Eric Blehm doesn't amazing job telling the story, keeping you interested, and really putting you in the place. While impossible to know what it truly felt like unless you were there , I feel like I can picture being at all these places and points throughout the book. this is a must-read for all snowboarders at Country skiers etc. and definitely an interesting read for someone who is not.

Craigs Story is well told

RIP Craig. You were a good Man, friend and lived your life and your dreams.

Only if you are a snow boarded

I bought this after a very favorable book review. It was all about snow boarding and worshiping Craig Kelly. Towards the end of the book info about the avalanche. I wish I had returned , I really did not enjoy at all. WOULD NOT RECOMMEND.