James Niehues, the artist behind more than 300 ski resort piste maps from around the world, is among eight legends of the snow sports industry to be inducted into the US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame.
The official ceremony will take place in March, 2020, in Sun Valle, Idaho. Before the opening ceremony, Niehues will go on a national tour showing his new book ‘The Man Behind the Maps: Legendary Ski Artist James Niehues’.
Niehues was born on a farm in Loma, Colorado, and although he never aspired to be recognized as an artist, he dreamed of becoming one. Over a career spanning more than 30 years, he has hand-painted piste maps for iconic resorts around the world, spending countless hours painstakingly fine-tuning perspectives and details to craft both helpful guides and works of art.
The trail maps in the US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame.
It was created to honor and celebrate the athletes, pioneers, and visionaries who have significantly enriched the world’s skiing and snowboarding sports, and to display their historical stories and memories in a national museum. Below you can see the artist at work, an authentic wonder where precision and passion come together in a true work of art.
An artist’s work
Below, you can see the artist working, an authentic wonder where precision and passion meet in a true work of art.
Joining the ranks of Billy Kidd, Warren Miller, Mahre Brothers, Bode Miller and Shane McConkey. Niehues will be featured alongside other personalities from ski and snowboard sports, including Kit DesLauriers, the first person to ski all seven peaks, and legendary ski filmmaker Greg Stump.
“I am truly honored and honored that the United States Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame recognizes my passion for what I do and appreciates the fact that my work is so unique,” said Niehues.
“I HAD NO IDEA THAT IT COULD MAKE SUCH AN IMPRESSION ON THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY. ALL OF THIS, THE NOMINATION AND THE RECENT BOOK, IT IS HARD TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE IN WORDS. “
A book, witness to 30 years of work and passionn
This prestigious honor highlighting Niehues’ lifelong accomplishments and global impact on the ski and snowboard industry comes on the heels of the launch of a new coffee table book: The Man Behind the Maps, detailing his hand-painted piste maps.
A Book tour that culminates 30 years of work
The book represents the culmination of his lifelong work and passion for the mountains, an impressive compilation of more than 200 individual tourist piste maps. Its eight thematic chapters are classified geographically. You can purchase his coffee table book on its website. It is the first and definitive collection of the art created by Niehues during his 30-year career.
Over the next several months, Nieuhes will present his new book in numerous specialty retailers as well as bookstores across the US. The tour will culminate in the US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame ceremony in late March.
Below you can find the locations and dates of the tours:
November 5th: Salt Lake City, Fisher Brewery (4-6p) and University of Utah Annual Ski Archives Event (6-9p)
November 15th -16th: Boston Ski and Snowboard Show
December 7th: Los Angeles, Ski Dazzle
January 30th: Denver Outdoor Retailer
March 26th -27th: Sun Valley, Idaho
Source: jamesniehues.com
