Northstar, California Ski Map Art

Every Torched Peaks frame is custom made in-house from real wood, with a substantial 1.85-inch depth designed to complement the dimensional construction of our maps. Each stain finish was carefully selected to complement a variety of décor styles.

• GRAPHITE GREY: our most popular finish, a beautiful charcoal grey stain with natural wood undertones.
• MATTE ONYX: the mountain modern color of choice, a deep black stain with a hint of visible wood grain.
• RUSTIC MOCHA: a rich traditional mocha finish with a hint of red undertones.
• STORM GREY: softer and more transparent than Graphite, a classic weathered grey option.
• NATURAL: the natural wood grain and undertones are on full display with this minimalist finish.

We don't trace trail maps. We study mountains.

Every Torched Peaks design begins with our SlopeTheory™ process—up to 40 hours of research, design, and refinement for a single mountain. We study satellite imagery, topography, resort maps, photos, videos, and local knowledge to acquaint ourselves with the mountain and understand what makes it distinctive.

We examine the actual width, shape, and pitch of ski runs, how chairlifts follow the terrain, and the landmarks and hidden details that give each resort its character. Photos and videos are especially valuable for understanding how popular runs and terrain are actually experienced—not simply how they appear on a traditional trail map.

Then we bring those discoveries into the artwork. Skier and snowboarder icons highlight notable groomers, beginner trails, double diamonds, extreme terrain, mogul runs, glades, terrain parks, race trails, and even locally known or backcountry routes where applicable. Ski trails are identified by name and difficulty, while chairlifts and gondolas feature icons representing the capacity of the actual lift. Lodges, warming huts, villages, mountain operations, roads, parking areas, and other recognizable landmarks are incorporated where relevant.

Nearby trail systems—including hiking, mountain biking, Nordic skiing, and snowshoeing routes—are added whenever applicable. We trace and name these trails whenever possible and use activity-specific icons to identify the routes, bringing even more of the surrounding mountain experience into the artwork. Native wildlife and birds add another layer of regional character. And hidden somewhere in every map is a small Torched Peaks Yeti—our signature Easter egg.

Backed by more than 15 years of ski resort industry experience, that research is translated into original artwork designed to feel true to the mountain—not simply reproduce its trail map.

This is SlopeTheory™—our approach to understanding a mountain before we turn it into art.

Built in layers. Made to be explored.

Rooted in a construction method our lead artist first developed in 2018, our AlpineStrata™ process transforms each mountain into 3–6 precision-cut layers of natural wood, with each 1/4"-thick layer cut, engraved, layered, and assembled by hand to create genuine physical depth and relief.

Rather than representing the mountain on a single flat surface, each layer builds the terrain dimensionally, while ski trails are precisely engraved directly into the wood. Additional layers form the surrounding peaks, ridgelines, and valleys, creating a cascading effect across the terrain, while lakes, rivers, lifts, landmarks, and other mountain details are carefully integrated into the composition.

The result is a mountain built from the ground up—layer by layer—with depth, texture, and detail that change as light moves across the artwork.

This is AlpineStrata™—our original approach to dimensional mountain art, handcrafted exclusively by Torched Peaks.