James Niehues spent four decades creating functional art in the form of ski maps. Over 200 resorts worldwide feature in his iconic portfolio. Now, you can display a Niehues original in your home.
There’s something highly satisfying about a well-executed ski map. It has the vivid blue and white of a sunny day on perfect powder; a bird’s-eye view of each trail in perfect condition; a quaint ski town below; and distant ridgelines overlapping into the horizon.
If you want an original map from a Hall of Fame artist in your house, you’re in luck. James Niehues announced he’ll soon offer two dozen maps to the public through his website.
Limited Run of Niehues Ski Maps
Starting Thursday, March 17, the sale will showcase resort illustrations throughout his career and includes resorts in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Idaho. The public offering closes on Sunday, March 27.
In the meantime, fans and avid skiers will get the chance to buy any or all of an array of paintings and sketches. Resort renderings include:
- Sun Valley (1993)
- Stowe (1990)
- Okemo (1990-1999)
- Bromley (2007)
- Jay Peak (2000)
- Sugarbush (1990-1994)
- Loon (1989-2011)
- Bretton Woods (1998)
- Cranmore (1994-2000)
- Waterville Valley (1989-2011)
James Niehues, Charitable Cartographer
Niehues has put his work on the market several times before. Each sale has served to benefit the skiing community financially. Through direct sales and NFT offerings, his works have generated $120,000 in Kickstarter funding for Mad River Glen and $70,000 for the Colorado Snowsports Museum.
Proceeds from this spring’s Sun Valley and Okemo map sales will go to the U.S. Ski and Snowboarding Hall of Fame. Niehues himself appears in the Hall as part of the 2019 class.
The collection includes some of his earliest works.
“The paintings and sketches in this release are some of the oldest pieces in my collection, and I’m thrilled to be able to help support the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame,” said Niehues.
“There are so many icons in the ski and snowboard world that have called these mountains home, many of whom are in the Hall of Fame, and I’m proud to support their commitment to the preservation of skiing history.”
It’s probably best to act quickly if interested — Niehues is popular. He’s painted “nearly every” North American ski resort, as well as mountains on four other continents. Numerous mountain resorts still use his maps, and his recent book, “The Man Behind The Maps,” compiles more than 200 favorites.
To start speculating over the newly released collection, go to Niehues’ website. There, you’ll join the mailing list to “be the first to know” — and then start rapidly refreshing your email inbox tab.
