Each Torched Peaks map begins with our SlopeTheory™ design process—extensive research into the mountain's terrain, trail network, lifts, landmarks, and surrounding geography. We study resort trail maps, satellite imagery, topographic references, photos, videos, and local knowledge to understand not only the layout of the mountain, but the details skiers and snowboarders actually recognize.
Maps include ski trails and difficulty ratings, mountain statistics and elevations, chairlifts and gondolas, lodges and villages, roads, parking areas, and important landmarks and points of interest. Look closer and you'll find skier and snowboarder icons marking notable terrain, including popular groomers, mogul runs, glades, terrain parks, race trails, extreme terrain, backcountry routes, and local hidden gems. Chairlift and gondola icons even reflect the type and capacity of the actual lift.
Whenever applicable, we also plot hiking, mountain biking, Nordic, and snowshoe trails, along with activity-specific icons. Native wildlife and birds, mountain operations features, base areas, warming huts, and other regional details help capture the individual character of each resort. And hidden somewhere on every map is a Torched Peaks Yeti.
Those details come from people who actually understand ski resort layouts and operations. Our team includes lifelong skiers and snowboarders, and Torched Peaks was founded by a former professional snowboarder with more than 15 years of ski-industry experience, including designing and building actual ski trails and terrain parks.
It's all part of SlopeTheory™—our approach to understanding what makes a mountain distinctive before turning it into art.