Sketching the Slopes: The Artist Behind Ski Trail Maps

When you're strapping on your bindings and preparing to hit the slopes, you probably aren't focusing on the artistry that goes into ski maps. But for Jim Niehues, that's life. The ski map artist paints every tree, shadow and mountain peak on trail maps for some of the world's major ski resorts. Thirty years ago, Jim decided to start a career as a ski map artist. Now, nearly 200 maps later, he still loves guiding people down mountains.

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[lowfreekey]

I never do this but I really want to thank you for the consistent great content you guys have been showing us. Really thank you. There is not a channel out there that matches this channel, the versatility and beauty of all your videos. Brings hope for the world and shines a light in places where we would not think to find beauty. Thank you

[bomapdich]

this channels shows such noble people from around the world.

[thisguy]

Shit, I just realized I have one of his maps hanging in my room

[HuyLe]

Everything was drawn by hand!? That's amazing and I love it really much!

[auliayusti]

this channel keeps widening my views on how this world works and how people out there are pursuing their passion. this is beautiful.

[mokaexpressions]

I really hope to find my own unique passion some day. This channel inspires me and gives me hope.

[jennifer]

You guys do a great job show casing each person that you create a video around. It's impeccable.

[Awosomeness]

I live near Eldora, those maps were basically my childhood.

[samurai]

U guys do interesting stuff, keep it up

[xd-]

youre vids are amazing keep up the work :₩

[madzen]

Pretty cool they're having a guy to handdraw the maps in those flyers

[araezpi]

I was at Snow Basin, Utah not long ago, and I am pretty sure I saw one!

[beeznutz]

I love you can just take a picture of the resort but nope just hand draw the whole thing

[toviahbacharach]

I work at eldora, the place where they shot him talking, and had no clue this guy even existed!!

[ludiwang]

Ooh Northstar! My favorite resort, but probably due just to nostalgia.

[alexyin]

did he draw the whistler mountain map?

[Larsino]

The most fascinating thing about this video was that there is a Nederland in the USA. Netherlands in dutch is Nederland.

[werterjackson]

They drew the resort I ski at
Grand targhee

[SuperSMT]

The question is, when a resort adds (or removes) a trail, do they have to go get James to update the map?

[JimGamingTV]

How much he is getting paid now, it's not enough