Rad Smith

About the artist

Rad Smith

About the artist

My background is in illustration and graphic design, but I recently shifted my creative energy towards painting hand-crafted ski maps. My work builds upon the legacy of the legedary ski map artist James Niehues, a tradition that began with Hal Shelton after World War II followed by Bill Brown in the 1970s and early 1980s.

A view from above

It all starts from the air, or at least from aerial imagery.  Imagining a landscape from a higher perspective and learning terrain from this point of view is what drives the me. I never tire of taking in a view from this vantage point, where I find endless beauty in the earth’s varied landscapes.

Passing of the torch

Legendary ski map artist James Niehues has been an amazing collaborator, passing on a 35-year legacy. I am honored to continue the tradition of hand-painted ski maps that began with Hal Shelton more than six decades ago. Following in Shelton's footsteps was Bill Brown, who subsequently passed on the tradition to Niehues in the late 1980s.

Selection of past works

Find your resort

Find your resort