For decades, James Niehues has been capturing the majesty of mountain landscapes in a way that is equal parts functional and breathtaking. Known fondly as “the man behind the maps,” the Colorado-based artist has meticulously hand-painted ski trail maps since 1988. With more than 350 maps to his name, Niehues has helped skiers and outdoor adventurers worldwide find their way—while deepening their appreciation for the beauty of the terrain.Niehues’ art has guided visitors across five continents, from sprawling resorts in Canada and Chile to hidden landscapes in Japan and New Zealand. “I was very lucky to have been in the right place at the right time in my career,” Niehues reflects, referring to the serendipitous moment that launched his legendary path in ski map art. After Bill Brown, a leading ski map artist, prepared to retire, he handed over the reins to Niehues—ushering in a new era of hand-crafted alpine maps.Painting Precision with a Human TouchNiehues’ work is produced by traditional methods. “I have kept the computer out of the creative and painting process,” he says. Each map is sketched by hand and brought to life using watercolor paints and airbrushing techniques. This approach, Niehues maintains, allows for a “human touch and interpretation” that makes the maps not just functional but also works of art.Creating a ski map is a painstaking process. It starts with Niehues conducting aerial surveys and capturing photographs of mountain peaks from various angles. “The biggest challenge is showing a complicated trail system in two dimensions,” Niehues explains as he tackles the complexity of compressing a sprawling ski trail system. To achieve this, he uses creative exaggeration to make the backside of a mountain visible while keeping landmarks and slopes intuitive for skiers. “It has to be a credible visual image that the skier can understand and relate to on the slopes.”Niehues’ art has guided visitors across five continents, from sprawling resorts in Canada and Chile to hidden landscapes in Japan and New Zealand.From Peaks to ParksThough many know him for his ski maps, Niehues’ career spans beyond snow-covered landscapes. Now in his seventies, he retired from creating map images in 2019. Currently, he’s working on an ambitious new project, the Great American Landscape Project, capturing iconic scenes from national parks, famous peaks, and historic landmarks across the United States. The series began in 2019 after his publisher, following the release of Niehues’ book, The Man Behind the Maps, encouraged him to explore faster mediums like sketching.“Whenever I flew the ski area, I would also fly over nearby national parks or dynamic mountains,” Niehues recounts. “I didn’t have enough time left to paint everything I wanted.” The Great American Landscape Project allowed him to pivot toward his passion, capturing unique natural dynamics from above. He has completed 91 scenes, ranging from the canyons, lakes, and swamps to fire towers.A Global Impact on Art and NavigationThough he humbly downplays his influence, Niehues has left an indelible mark on countless skiers, hikers, and artists. His maps are both tools for orientation and symbols of adventure. “I get a lot of skiers acknowledging that they really like my maps,” Niehues says. “The map helps them recognize where they are on the mountain.”Over his distinguished career, Niehues has charted trails and inspired a more profound love for natural landscapes. He credits his wife, Dora, for her steadfast support, especially in the early days when long hours at the drawing board were the norm. “She picked up a lot of the promotion procedures and handled the office material and books,” he notes.Niehues continues to balance his artistic pursuits with quiet moments of gratitude for a career that has brought the world into sharper focus—one map at a time. “Today is much different than it was in 1988,” he reflects, “but I was fortunate to do what I loved for a living.”His coffee table book, The Man Behind the Map is a remarkable collection of nearly 200 ski resorts, all hand painted by Niehues.“I considered putting out a book in the mid 1990s, feeling I had enough images to make a good coffee table book that would sell in all ski resort shops,” Niehues explained. “But I could not find a publisher and it fell on the back burner until 2018 when Todd Bennett contacted me and the Kickstarter project was initiated. Looking back, it was good that I could not find a publisher in the 90s since I portrayed many more resorts through 2018.”Whether it’s a skier gazing at the slopes of Aspen or an adventurer marveling at the vastness of Zion National Park, Niehues’ work has touched lives and enriched journeys. Through an extraordinary combination of artistry, craftsmanship, and the heart to explore, James Niehues has painted not just maps, but memories.See more in the 2025 Fall Home magazineThe post Artist Profile: Meet Jim Niehues appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less