The best book on flying in the mountains is "Flying the Mountains" by Fletcher Anderson (McGraw-Hill). The wisdom and experience of the author did not save him when he broke one of his own cardinal rules flying low along Snake River Canyon in Wyoming on 18th November 2005. This is a must read for anyone who wants to fly over and around mountain ranges, but it does not cover the European angle of landing on short mountain strips.
The best place to learn the European mountain landing techniques has to be Megeve Aero Club, flying the Jodels. It is rigorous, expensive and very French - you do things their way (like point and power) - with no concessions to the modern information age (like a website). But it is the one active and competent mountain flying club in Europe with access to a just sufficient number of altiports and rough mountain strips - where the best pilots go to get the qualification and instruct, and the rest of us tag along and try to learn. For the average pilot allow at least 20 hours over at least two weeks to be ready to take the mountain rating practical exam on wheels. Flying on skis onto glaciers then follows.
Forget trying to take the rating in Italy and Switzerland is much more restricted. The French rating is generally recognised in Europe (but not the other way round) and anyway most of the landing opportunities are in France. However EASA is now trying to formalise a European mountain rating which will doubtless make a restricted and declining aspect of private aviation even more difficult to pursue. Get there while you can.
The European Mountain Pilots Association was founded at Clacton in 1990, which shows that some Euro organisations do have a sense of humour. But much talk and not much action. The French organisation - see
AFPM L'aviation sportive de montagne EMP - is active in its own way - and does good work in trying to keep strips open - but demonstrates why it is the French who gave us the word "clique". The Italians have two mountain flying organisations but only one (officially closed) strip - but - "bella figura" - it is the most spectacular grass strip in the Alps. Hans Fuchs in Switzerland at
www.gletscherflug.ch shows what can be done - if you have years of experience, a hard to get Swiss rating, a Supercub and regular access to the most spectacular scenery in Europe. Dream on !