The Man Behind The Maps

ABOUT THE BOOK

If you are a skier or snowboarder, there is a good chance James Niehues has been your mountain guide. Throughout his 30 years career he has worked at the smallest hills and the most expansive resorts in North America. 

As 2019 winter season has begun, I know at least the Killington Resort has! and perfectly timing, I received this beautiful book yesterday.

In a world that is becoming so digital, its always been refreshing for skiers and/or riders to pull out a trail map and use Niehues work to figure out where to go down next.

His artwork provides an unparalleled human touch to the maps, one that digital renderings can not quite capture. This is because Niehues actually put boots on the ground to ski many of the areas he paints.

This is a perfect book to flip through to plan where to visit next and open a book to remember the favorite runs at dozen of ski areas.

Enjoy winter season with families and friends!

Save Barneys

Dear Family,

Last night after two months of working around the clock, my team and I had to make the hardest decision we could have imagined: to pull out of the race and not go to court this morning.

This was one of the hardest decisions I have made in my life thus far. My team and I still feel very strongly about Barneys: what it stands for and what it could mean in the future. We believe it has its place in New York’s landscape and beyond.

During the process we were fortunate to meet a lot of amazing people who joined our team and gave everything they had to save this New York institution.

Unfortunately, we failed to convince enough people in the business community that it made economic sense to keep Barneys alive. Some unexpected road blocks were put in our way. We understood from the beginning that looking at spreadsheets and numbers, it did not make sense but we saw a future beyond that. We knew that once we overcame that hurdle there would be light at the end of the tunnel.

I apologize if I have failed anyone, and gave anyone false hope by not being able to close the deal. I know this chapter is about be be over and not the way I wished or imagined. I hope something greater will come from It.

I want to thank my team who gave the fight of their lives and haven’t slept for the past two months.

To all the people who believed in the dream and kept us going beyond the imagination. To all Barney’s family members who we met personally and the ones we met virtually and made us feel part of the family in that very short period. I wish I could do more.

The stores might be gone but the spirit will live forever.

Cheers to the life of Barneys.

Sam