Ski book

Ski Gifts For Men Who Live And Love To Ski

| Inspire by Kim

Here are a pick of gift ideas for ski dads, step dad, uncles, and grandads.

Before I get into the list I want to briefly dedicate this post to my Dad, Stephen Kay, ski instructor, former Chairman of Rossendale Ski Club, group ski trip organiser, and all this in his spare time from running a chain of engineers merchants. Thanks Dad for all the trips, the ski teching and fun days on the snow together. Dad is on the ‘J’ for joy page of Ski A to Z.

Secondly to my husband Tim Robinson, for joining the ski pathway. I taught Tim the early stages of his ski journey and he’s been my rock through my Ski A to Z publishing experience. Tim helped to provide the perspective of someone new to the sport. He says of Ski A to Z, “I wish I’d had this book when I was learning to ski!”

Thanks Tim for trusting me with your two awesome children, who I love time on the snow with as a family. Now making their own lives in sport.

The three of them are demonstrating how to carry skis (illustration when they were children) in one of the spreads for ‘C’ in Ski A to Z.

So, here’s the gift inspiration.

For ski fathers who like a cuppa…

The Skiers From Above mug is ideal. An illustration from Ski A to Z under ‘S’ for skis as the illustration shows a range of ski types with a cross-country skier, piste skier and back country skier. This design is also available as a canvas print. These are printed and shipped direct to you, Order here.

For the man cave or ski house…

Choose ski wall art to show you care and keep the ski vibe all year round. Available on paper, canvas or metal, for a range of snowsports themed designs head to my shop.

Ski and Geometrics Artwork

To keep your ski dad warm…

Make your snowsport loving man a fab neck warmer. Choose from my 30+ fabric designs and have one printed on to Polartec Fleece.

My Ski Goggle Reflections on Black design is a favourite with male customers. With just two lines of stitching I made a neck warmer and tested it this week at The Snow Centre, Hemel Hempstead.

See my neck warmer. Selfie with Martina Diez-Routh aka The Ski Guru.

Order fabric, home decor, pillows, curtains or even wallpaper here.

For ski dads who like to read…

Dads will enjoy the illustration, tips and humorous elements of Ski A to Z. More info and links to buy Ski A to Z are here.

Here’s my Dad on a father and daughter ski day in Val Thorens, Les 3 Vallées, France with Ski A to Z.

For dads who like a story then it’s 30 Years In A White Haze, The story of 12 Warren Miller movie star, extreme skier Dan Egan. Dan’s story of survival, skiing, in the context of the evolving freestyle ski industry has 22 of my illustrations.

Dan’s newest book is a ski technique guide, All Terrain Skiing II which has an accompanying app and YouTube channel. Dan guides readers through ski technique drills to develop their skiing further. For more info and to order visit Dan’s online shop.

Dan Egan endorsed the back cover of Ski A to Z and is illustrated in the book in ‘D’ for Descent.

For dads who are all into ski kit…

My Get The Right Kit t-shirt design, and now goggle cloth, for Fall-Line magazine, is available on a number of T-shirt colours, in light and dark print, and is ideal for apres-ski or even the beach. Order them here.

For ski dads who like to ski first to last lift…

Make your sure ski dad is never out of phone battery with this insulated phone sleeve. I tested this on -22 days in Saas-Fee Switzerland in January and it’s battery life preservation is amazing. Buy it here.

If Dad needs a new phone case then check out this fun design.

Yeti Skier and Boarder iPhone case.

For more gift inspiration head to my shop. If you’re in the UK head here.

Thank you so much for your purchases, every one of them supports my work and helps me to continue to create and represent the joy of snowsports.

Family Gondola Fun Wall Art

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Snow Show Ticket Time!

| Inspire by Kim

Secure your tickets for @snowboundexpo and @nationalsnowweek now.

For $1 code for Boston, USA, head to @skirexmedia and @skibumpodcast

For free tickets for the UK shows use the code LAUNCH now https://nationalsnowweek.com

Pictures from the Birmingham and Boston shows in 2022.

I hope to be at the shows in 2023 as it was so great to meet everyone in 2022. Great to talk skiing.

If you want a ski gift in the meantime head to my shop.

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skishow #snowsportengland #skiatoz #skiboston #skitheeast #skilondon #skier #snowboarder #sportartist

Ski A to Z Movie Short

| Inspire by Kim

Created this fun reel for Ski A to Z.

Order Ski A to Z and fast track to fun on snow!

Illustrated Introduction To Skiing for everyone. Makes a great gift!

Published by Meyer & Meyer Sport. The Sports Publisher.

Filmed on location in Saas-Fee, Val Thorens and Dolomiti Superski.

Repost from Instagram reels.

Info and links to buy Ski A to Z are here.

#skiing #skiinfo #skiitaly #skifrance #skiswitzerland #skiauthor #skiatoz
#skigifts #mothersday #skimom #skistepmom #skimum

See the latest posts…

Mountain Safety Book

| Inspire by Kim

In the lead up to Mother’s Day here is one of a select number of suggestions that I’ll be sharing for gifts for the snow loving women in your lives.

Fjord’s Mountain Mission by Caroline Elliot and illustrated by Evgenia Malina.

A five star read to keep everyone safer in the mountains.


This essential book is by snow safety educator, SAR avalanche dog handler and inspirational speaker Caroline Elliot.

Caroline followed a route from freestyle skiing, to ski instruction and then developed a specialism in ski patrol before becoming an avalanche dog handler. Caroline works to educate and inform people about mountain safety.

Caroline and Fjord. Picture from Fjordsar.com

This fabulous, informative, fun book has important safety lessons which could literally safe the lives of those who read it.

Aimed at children, and fully illustrated which helps to present the information in a way to make it memorable and makes the messages accessible.

We won’t always be there when our loved ones are grown up and chart their own paths in the mountains, but helping them have a good foundation on mountain safety gives some comfort for their safety on their adventures.

Providing a fascinating insight into the vital role of mountain safety professionals. The story unfolds showing the breadth of responsibilities of this important role in the ski resort environment. The warmth of the characters’ woman and dog working bond becomes apparent, and the book being from mountain rescue dog Fjord’s point of view makes the reader also fall in love with this vibrant canine character.

A work of love for keeping the mountains safe shines through in this valuable book. Read it with loved ones and stay safe in the mountains, by being informed and in the know. A tribute all who work on mountain safety, search and rescue and beautiful Fjord the French Flat-Coated Retriever.

I had the honour of exchange books with Caroline at the National Snow Show in October 2022 and meeting her beautiful Källa.

More information about Fjord’s Mountain Mission, the charity that book profits are invested into and links to buy are at https://fjordsar.com

Support Caroline’s work by ordering this book for the inspiring women you spend mountain time with.

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#womenwhoski #skimom #skimum #skistepmum #skiaunt

Boston Herald – Ski A to Z for Ski Moms

| Inspire by Kim

Lovely to see Ski A to Z mentioned in Boston Herald. I met Moira, the article author, at Snowbound Expo in Boston.

This is a lovely review of Ski A to Z as a Mother’s Day gift.

It helps you get the feel for the sport, reading time with this book opens the door to lots and lots of ski tales for mom/grandma to both wow her little ones with and remind her of good times both past and future.

Boston Herald

Thanks so much to Moira McCarthy and Boston Herald. Read the review and article here.

More information and links to order the book are here.

Ski A to Z is published by Meyer & Meyer Sport.

#skier #snowsports #mothersday #skimom #skigrandma #skiaunt

50th Celebrations At Ski Rossendale, The Hill, 10 June 2023

| Inspire by Kim

I’ll be at Ski Rossendale at The Hill to join the 50 year celebrations on 10th June 2023.

I will be signing first editions of Ski A to Z, have art prints, greeting cards and some exciting new products.

Looking forward to a day of celebrations for this place which has been fundamental in my family’s lives.

If you’re in the North-West. (UK) Pop it in your diary. Hope to see you there.

Ski Rossendale illustration from Ski A to Z book.

If the meantime if you need a gift for a ski lover then head to my shop.

Book presentation to manager Dave Fuller at April 2022 book signing

Information about The Hill and Ski Rossendale are here.

Related Posts

Book Signing/ Meet The Author Event At Ski Rossendale

Lancashire Telegraph Book Signing Story

Ski A to Z Book Signing – Interview on BBC Radio Lancashire

Lancs Live Ski A to Z Book Signing Story

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Travelmag Book Review of Ski A to Z

| Inspire by Kim

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.”

Read the full book review here.

More reviews and testimonials for Ski A to Z are at the Ski A to Z page here.

Ski A to Z Now Stocked At Ski Paradise In Mottaret

| Inspire by Kim

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.

Ski A to Z is published by Meyer & Meyer Sport (UK) see more about the book, and links to buy, here.

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.

Best wishes

Kim x

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Gingerbread Chalet – Flashback

| Inspire by Kim

It’s that time of year when gingerbread tastes its best and spending time on a baked creation doesn’t feel indulgent, and there are plenty of visitors to eat it afterwards. Here is the story of my gingerbread work, as seen in Ski A to Z.

My final creation of 2020 was a two-storey chalet with balcony constructed in gingerbread. This was continuing the ski theme which was key for my work in 2020, and with the publishing of my Ski A to Z has continued to be.

The chalet had an overhanging roof, shutters, chimney, a log pile, and sugar windows in warm hues – including a window in the roof. I cut skis, bindings and poles from patterned papers and placed these at the front of the chalet.

I experimented with green screen technology to put the baked chalet into a mountain setting.

The chalet was lit from within its fairy lights added before the roof went on, with access to the switch through a space in the side wall.

I didn’t have chance to paint the chalet as still life before it was eaten, so I painted it from a photograph, with some additional details to the balcony. I added a depth of snow and removed some of the snow icing for the painted version.

The Art Applied

The gingerbread chalet features in Ski A to Z as a painting, and also in photo form.

The chalet features in Ski A to Z as a watercolour painting for ‘A is for Alpine’, the first entry in the book. Image Copyright Kim

A photograph of the chalet is in the map design for ‘M is for Map’, representing a cosy mountain restaurant.

I then placed and warped the map design to demonstrate folds in the piste map, for the spread in Ski A to Z. Pictured here on our mid-century teak table, which is a kind of gingerbread colour itself.

The chalet is also in my ‘Ski Goggle Reflections’ fabric and wallpaper design, in the yellow edge to edge lens. This design is available for print on demand fabrics and wallpapers in my Spoonflower shop. Here is the design mocked up as wallpaper for a ski house or chalet setting along with my favourite G-Plan Astro table. More about the designs here.

The Design and Construction Process

Here’s how I created the gingerbread chalet…

1. I drew the chalet design and then determined the pieces required before cutting card templates for each piece. 

2. There were lots of parts to the design as it had a balcony, shutters, chimney and to look like a chalet it needed a considerable overhang on the roof. I find ceramics hand building techniques useful when constructing in gingerbread.

3. Once all the panels and components were baked, and beautifully golden brown, with boiled sweet windows, the construction could begin, with edible glue and royal icing, and some cocktail sticks and kebab skewers to hold in place.

For the following artwork I added a painted mountainscape background with falling snow in Procreate app. I used a might scene to accentuate the interior lighting and inviting atmosphere, a warm shelter after a chilly, but fun, day on the mountain.

Gingerbread construction is a lovely thing to do, Although my family can’t wait to smash my creations and eat the gingerbread. It’s delicious but always a little painful for the work to be undone so quickly, although that’s why it’s nice that this gingerbread chalet is now all around the world in my Ski A to Z book.

I completed the house on New Year’s Eve, and so the year closed. A challenging but creative 2020 ended.

I used the Mary Berry recipe for the dough, I’ve used this before to make two gingerbread houses, and a gingerbread car, each time using my own templates.

Earlier Gingerbread Creations

Gingerbread House 1 – 2013

My first gingerbread house was a three storey townhouse using Mary Berry’s recipe when she did a Christmas cooking programme with Paul Hollywood, during her Great British Bake Off years. Quite ambitious as a first attempt and my own templates, alway taking the easy options, not!

Gingerbread House 2 – 2018

My largest gingerbread creation was this huge house. It stood 13 inches tall. I Intended into have turrets on the corners but I struggled with the bend in the bake. Features I particularly liked were the scalloped roof and large windows.

See the real estate type ‘virtual viewing tour’ video, which was fun to make.

I painted a picture of the house in a simplified way in acrylic paints. painting from something you’ve crated can be a good day to get a fresh looking subject.

The following year I used this for my Christmas card and gift tag design (below). Each of the houses in the picture are the same hous but photographed from different angles. Christmas often feels to me like it comes round again really quickly.

Santa’s Car 2019

My Christmas card design for 2019 (above) then became the theme of my gingerbread bake that Christmas.

gingerbread Gift Box (2021) and Top Tips

This was a cake in a gingerbread box that I made for my husband’s birthday. Ceramic hand building techniques were applied to create this. Making the box was easier for me than decorating the cake.

Gingerbread Tips

Here are my top gingerbread tips.

  1. Draw out your design and think about what parts make up the structure or design.
  2. Bake more than you think you need, it will all get eaten.
  3. Note that gingerbread expands during cooking, so trim with your templates part way through the bake.
  4. As you make your templates for each piece of the bake decide whether your panels will overlap or meet at the corners, as this will affect the dimensions.
  5. If a panel will be load bearing, such as for a wall to hold a roof, adjust the thickness of the gingerbread. Adjust your bake time accordingly.
  6. Crushed boiled sweets work great for windows – Mary Berry is right! But if the windows are too large they will weaken your structure and may not fill the space. The boiled sweets are added mid way through the oven baking time.
  7. It is important to text/ taste the bake 😉
  8. Enjoy, it’s meant to be fun.

This video shows the stages of the the gingerbread house creation.

Now to make this year’s gingerbread Christmas bake. Watch the space. Please subscribe to follow and see updates as they go live.

To Own The Art

To own a piece of my work and support my art practice please visit my shop. Your purchases are greatly appreciated.

For more information and links to buy Ski A to Z head here, The book has info, tips and advice for skiers, with over 100 illustrations. Ski A to Z is published by Meyer & Meyer Sport (UK).

I hope you have sweet time this Christmas. If this inspires you I’d love to see what you make.

Best wishes

Kim x

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