Page 62 - NSAA_Winter_2017_WEB

Human Interest

Courtesy James Niehues

to withstand the test of time. “I used to fear I would paint with it on some level. If it’s cartoonish or a lifeless mechan-
myself out of the market,” said Niehues with a laugh. “Some ical image, it will get them down the hill, but they won’t
of my very first maps are still in use 20-some years later.” believe in it.”
The first map Niehues did on his own was for Boreal, The map also serves as a source of ski area pride—a
Calif., 28 years ago. “They called last year asking for the visually pleasing encapsulation of all the little nuances
computer file,” he said. “I didn’t have it because in those and characteristics that distinguish one area from another.
first days I sent them the original and a transparency. Soon “The map is the resort’s most often reflected-upon image,”
I would retain a transparency in my files and also retain the Niehues said. “A photo of a skier on a slope could be any-
original. Today, most ski areas go in with a computer, year where, but a trail map does a lot to promote a ski area.
to year, to add a trail or a new building, but eventually they People get on the Internet to check out the map, so it needs
need a new [trail map].” to portray the ski area well.”
Niehues recently completed a new map for Breckenridge, We owe James Niehues a great debt of gratitude for
Colo. In addition to ski area trail maps, he also has done presenting ski areas in all their wintery splendor over the
regional maps for organizations such as chambers of com- years—and for inspiring us to plan, reminisce, and tell
merce and images for National Park hiking maps. His stories over beers and a well-worn trail map that more often
retirement is really more of a “semi-retirement.” Instead of than not was illustrated by him.
painstakingly rendering 12 to 20 trail maps per year, he
plans to do one to five, leaving himself time to paint land- After 16 years, Lisa Densmore Ballard finally updated her book,
scape oils—his first love as an artist and what led to his Ski Faster! Guide to Racing and High Performance Skiing
education in graphic design. (www.LisaDensmore.com). She visits 20-plus ski resorts each
“Creating maps is in my blood,” he said. “A map must winter, hosting women’s and racing clinics and would be lost
be rendered realistically so the viewer trusts it and connects without a trail map.

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