The Demise of the Paper Piste Map

What’s the first thing you do when you arrive at your chosen ski resort for your long-awaited holiday? If you’re like most skiers, you reach for a piste map. That crinkly, oversized sheet of paper has long been an essential part of the skiing experience, helping to plot the week’s adventures and serving as a treasured souvenir for years to come.

For many, a piste map is more than just a navigation tool, it’s part of the ritual. I remember as a child, sitting at the chalet table each evening, my dad spreading out the piste map to relive our day’s adventures. We would trace our routes with eager fingers, ticking off runs and setting new challenges for the next morning.

But as with so many traditions, the paper piste map is slowly fading into history. Resorts across the Alps are shifting away from printed maps in favour of digital versions, offering interactive apps with real-time data on piste conditions, lift openings, and weather forecasts. While this move makes sense in many ways, it also marks the end of an era.

The story of the modern piste map begins in Val d’Isère in 1961. Pierre Novat, an artist from Lyon, was spending the season in the resort when he was given the task of creating a map of the area, including the newly built Tignes. His goal was to provide skiers with a clear, visual representation of the terrain, even if that meant taking some creative liberties.

Novat’s daughter, Frédérique, once explained his approach: "He had no hesitation in deforming a mountain so that you could see behind it. It's all false, but it's also all true." His unique artistic style set the standard for ski maps, and over the next 35 years, he created more than 250 maps across France’s most iconic resorts. When he passed away in 2007, his children, Arthur and Frédérique, continued his legacy through the ‘Atelier Pierre Novat, Panoramistes.’

In recent years, many ski resorts have chosen not to print traditional piste maps, opting instead to develop interactive apps. There are several compelling reasons for this shift

• Cost and Sustainability: Printing and distributing thousands of maps each season is expensive, with estimates suggesting it could cost a major resort well over £1 million. Reducing waste also aligns with broader environmental goals.
• Functionality: Digital maps offer real-time updates, ensuring skiers have the latest information on piste conditions, lift closures, and avalanche risks.
• Convenience: Let’s be honest, trying to unfold an A3 paper map on a windy chairlift isn’t the easiest task. Digital 

For all its advantages, the digital piste map doesn’t quite capture the romance of its paper counterpart. Gone is the tactile experience of spreading out a map in the morning, planning routes with friends, and marking off completed runs. Digital maps can feel less immersive, showing only a limited portion of the ski area at a time. And of course, they rely on a charged phone and a decent signal—two things not always guaranteed at 2,500m altitude!

While the classic paper piste map may be slipping into ski history, torn at the creases, lost to the wind, or turned to mush in a snowstorm, its spirit lives on in these creative alternatives. Whether you’re looking for a practical replacement on the slopes or a stylish way to celebrate your ski adventures at home, here are some great picks:

Microfibre piste map. From £15.29
No more soggy, shredded paper in your pocket! These high-quality lens cloth maps from Wipeout are not only indestructible but double as a handy goggle cleaner. Plus, they're glove-friendly, making mid-run route checks effortless. Shop here.

Frozen underground central ski resorts piste map poster. From £22
Love skiing and city maps? This tube map-inspired design connects the world’s best ski resorts in a unique and stylish way, perfect for home, office, or chalet décor. Find it here.

Ski resorts of Europe scratch-off map. From £19.99
Turn your ski bucket list into a game. This fun scratch-off poster lets you mark each resort as you conquer it, ideal for seasoned skiers or those just starting their alpine adventures. Get yours.

Framed piste map. From £220
For those who want to immortalize their favourite slopes, a large, framed piste map is a stunning way to relive unforgettable ski trips. A sophisticated keepsake for any mountain lover. Order here.

Even as paper piste maps fade from ski resorts, these alternatives ensure the magic of the mountains lives on, whether in your pocket, on your wall, or scratched off in triumph.

While digital maps are undoubtedly the way forward, perhaps the best solution lies in a hybrid approach. Some resorts still print a limited number of paper maps for nostalgic skiers, while also encouraging guests to use apps for real-time updates. Who knows, maybe one day, we’ll see a resurgence of beautifully illustrated piste maps as collectible items, much like vintage travel posters.

For now, if you miss the charm of a paper piste map, we suggest printing one out before you travel. Or better yet, pick up an old-school souvenir map from a resort shop, because some traditions are worth holding onto.