See this review of Ski A to Z, reviewed for Travelmag by Donna Richardson.
Thanks to Donna for this review. Donna’s review includes…
“This is a book you almost need to read twice, first for the beautiful pictures and then the information. What sets it apart from other ski manuals is the visual feast that lifts the words off the page as your eye darts from the words to the image – as a visual learner, I was engaged by this approach a lot more than any other book and I couldn’t put it down.”
“Over the past few weeks, I have found myself returning to thumb over the illustrations as well as the text, each time ensuring that I learn something new. As a result, I am sure next time I am back in the mountains, I will be a more confident, knowledgeable skier, and I am spending much more time down the dry ski slope too.”
I’m delighted that Ski A to Z is now on sale in the beautiful Ski Paradise Shop in Les 3 Vallees, in the Savoie region of the French Alps.
The shop in Meribel Mottaret has a limited number of signed first editions of Ski A to Z, so those in the area can get them in time for Christmas. Just five minutes walk from the piste its possible to pop in whilst navigating through the ski area.
Ski A to Z at Ski Paradise
Les 3 Vallees is where the first painting of Ski A to Z were created. So its fitting that the book is now for sale where it first began.
These were paintings of ski equipment which were used for the ‘K is or Kit’, and ‘S for Skis’ pages of the book. I did not have the intention or plan for the book at that stage, I just decided to paint something that I know a lot about.
I decided to use a warm colour palette to contrast with the icy blue colours of the mountain environment. A colour range that was used throughout the book project.
Photo Caption: Painting whilst icing my knee after skiing in January 2020.
After following Ski Paradise on Instagram and loving their product range, I went to the store in March to show Ski A to Z, so I’m delighted that they are stocking the book. I was skiing between Courchevel and Val Thorens with my Dad that day.
The shop has the best range of ski themed gifts and ski art that I have seen anywhere, so it feels like a lovely fit with my work and its a dream come true to have my book stocked there. The shop also has a great range of clothing and offers ski equipment hire.
Thank you to Dorothee at Ski Paradise for the enthusiasm for my work. Dorothee is a talented artist who also has her artwork in the shop. Thank you to Andrea for getting the books on their way.
If you are a retailer and are interested in stocking Ski A to Z, my art prints, fabrics and greeting cards please email inspirebykim@outlook.com, it will be great to talk about opportunities.
Please subscribe to my blog to see the updates, news and fresh ski art as it is posted.
Having helped my husband and stepchildren (then aged 5 and 8, to prepare and head onto the slopes I know it’s no mean feat to get non-skiers up and skiing, A fun, safe start in the sport, as a foundation for them to build on is what I hoped for. All this and over 40 years of skiing fed into the writing and illustrations of Ski A to Z
Ski A to Z is like an all knowing ski friend, it’s packed with information, advice and tips to save time, money and effort in your family’s skiing, more information and links to get your copy are here.
Ski A to Z is published by Meyer & Meyer Sport (UK).
The National Snow Show at Birmingham NEC in October 2022 was a wonderful event. It was great to meet so many lovely people, to show them the work, to hear and see their reactions, and to make it possible for them to own, art prints, greeting cards and signed first editions of Ski A to Z.
The National Snow Show was my first event doing every aspect of a show. I’ve worked at exhibition events before but always after the planning and set up. It was a busy time prepping for the show, determine the products, display, pricing and signage, but the long hours before the show were well worth it.
My mini art gallery space displayed high quality art prints, giclée archival inks printed on 100% cotton paper. Printing so good that the have been tested to not fade for 300-400 years! And yes that is possible top test by firing intense UV light in a controlled environment to simulate time passing! The art prints are mounted in conservation grade mount board, in glacier white colour in a range of sizes.
The prints were popular for those buying for themselves, for ski chalets/ themed rooms or gifts for friends who enjoy skiing and snowsports. To see all the range of prints click here.
Brand new for the show, in addition to the art prints were professionally printed greeting cards with ski and snowsport themes. I am offering bundles of these cards in my shop here.
The cards are blank for your message so they can be sent as birthday, Christmas, or notecards. The cards are high quality so they also look lovely framed.
It was magic when people brought their Ski A to Z books with them to be signed, and when one person said they had gone to the show to seek out my work. That means so much.
This was my latest event presence to date for Inspire by Kim, so I’m pleased the products proved popular. Wonderful to see all the work together and hear the reactions of so many lovely people.
“Wow”, “This is great”, “No one else is doing this.” “Amazing’”, just some of the many comments on the Inspire by Kim stand.
Great to see lifetime ski friends there and to also make new friends.
Thanks to everyone for the feedback, and sharing the ski stories. Here’s to growing the awareness of the joy of skiing and snowsports to attract more people to our sports. The slopes await. I was speaking at the show, to make it easier for new skiers to get into the sport. More about this later.
Thanks to the Ski A to Z publisher Meyer & Meyer Sport (UK)Ltdto Inframe Gallery for fine art printing/mounting, Killaprint for brand panel printing, Inframe for fine art printing and Sixprint for greeting card printing.
More about National Snow Show is here. To visit my shop click here.
In this one we talked about the coming season, ski fabrics, Ski A to Z, Boston Ski and Snowboard Expo and The National Snow Show.
This was my second appearance on the Ski Bum podcast, so it was great to catch up on what has happened in the incredible past year and look forward to what is coming up. As we chatted we both had copies of Ski A to Z to hand and were able to reference the work and tips there, that was a nice twist on a conversation that spanned that Atlantic. (Click on the pic for the podcast episode from 2021.)
Pic from Ski Bum Podcast in 2021
Thanks so much Brian and Mario. Awesome news is that they will be hosting at Boston Snowbound Expo next month. Congratulations guys, great recognition for the Ski Bum Podcast.
Brian asked for episode art, so I created a new variation of my ‘Ski Goggles’ fabric/ wallpaper design on Spoonflower to represent three people. See my 20+ designs at my Spoonflower shop.
Back to the prep now for The National Snow Show. Lots to do to get ready, can’t wait!! Come meet me and check out my work at stand D76, by Red Bull and the SnowDome ski slope and on the Crystal Snow Skills stage on Sunday afternoon when I will be sharing my top tips for beginner skiers with illustrations from Ski A to Z on the big screen for the first time!! Ski A to Z is published by Meyer & Meyer Sport (UK). More about the show here.
Wonderful day at Pendle Ski Club annual Open Day. Great to talk skiing and magic to meet so many people who were experiencing their first time skiing.
The club is fabulous volunteer run facility on Pendle Hill in Lancashire where people can learn to ski, race and enjoy the sport.
I hope everyone will enjoy their Ski A to Z books. It was great to talk to so many people who are getting ready for their first ski holiday this winter, it’s a huge step and so it was nice to help out with all the info, tips and advice packed into Ski A to Z.
“This is just what we need, “We’re going to read this as a family, it will help us all” “This is a great book.” Were just some of the comments.
Thanks to all at Pendle Ski Club for the warm welcome on such a stunning day.
I’ll be at the annual Pendle Ski Club Open Day on Sunday 2nd October signing Ski A to Z first editions.
Pendle Ski Club Open Day offers free 30 minute fully instructed trial ski sessions from 10am until 4pm (arrive at 3pm for the last session). This is a great opportunity to get a taste for skiing and try the sport.
Pendle Ski Club is a member owned ski club in the Ribble Valley of Lancashire, home of Dave, ‘The Rocket’ Ryding, four times Olympian and Kitzbuehel Champion.
Follow in Dave Ryding’s ski tracks at Pendle Ski Club – Source: GBSnowsport.com
Looking forward to meeting lots of people at Pendle and helping to demystify skiing for those who are new to the sport with the tips, information and advice packed into the Ski A to Z book.
My Pendle BackStory
I always enjoyed racing and race training at Pendle, it is a well maintained slope fabulously situated for incredible far-reaching views, and of course the added mystique of the stories of the ‘Lancashire witches’ in that area.
Kim slalom racing at Pendle Ski Club, back in the day.
Our school ski team won the North-West Ski Federation School’s Championship four years out of five at Pendle Ski Club which is probably a factor in my fondness for the slope.
Rossendale Free Press coverage of our third team win. We were two sibling pairs, the Harwoods and the Kays.
I remember good times skiing with friends there, and in particular a weekend training camp when it rained constantly both days, great conditions for artificial slope skiing, but we were drenched, so it was comforting to have the cosy club house to get warm during our breaks.
For more information about the event and Pendle Ski Club, click here.
national Snow Show 2022
If you’re not able to get along to Pendle come along to the National Snow Show at NEC Birmingham on 15th and 16th October. I will have art prints, greeting cards and will be signing copies of Ski A to Z at stand D76, next to the Red Bull VIP Lounge.
If you would like to pre-order wall art prints and signed copies of Ski A to Z, to avoid potential disappointment and postage charges, complete the quick form here.
More information about my activity at National Snow Show is here.
Thank you to The Ski Guru for this review of Ski A to Z.
The Ski Guru, Martina, writes, “This is a lovely book to gift to anyone, of all ages, wanting to start skiing or boarding (or any winter sports ), and not sure where to start.”
Inspire by Kim 