Murray Hay 1931-2015
Piste Maps -
We are fortunate to exhibit for sale unique and original piste maps by Murray Hay (1931-2015). A well known Calgary artist, best known for painting ski areas (piste maps) from 1976 to the early 2000’s, who left behind a unique legacy. His work helped thousands of skiers navigate many beautiful ski areas, including the featured Lake Louise, Fernie, Kimberley, and Azu Powder King.
Lake Louise Ski Race, c.1980s, piste map without overlay, acrylic on foam board; 18 x 27.5 inches (46 x 70 cm), signed l.l. (Murray Hay), Description: panorama view, mountain ski race route at Lake Louise Ski Resort, Banff, Alberta, framed, $5300.00 Cdn.
Fernie, BC, c. 1980 (with revisions to 1990), piste map without overlay, acrylic on foam board; 34 x 46 inches (86.5 x 117 cm), signed l.l. (Murray Hay), Description: panorama view, mountain ski resort piste map of Fernie Ski Resort, BC., framed, $9300.00 Cdn.
Kimberley, BC; c. 1982 (with revisions to 1990), piste map without overlay, acrylic on foam board; 29 x 45 inches (74 x 114.5 cm); signed lower centre left (Murray Hay); Description: panorama view, mountain ski resort piste map of Kimberly Ski Resort, BC., framed, $8600.00 Cdn.
Azu Powder King, BC (rare, unique), 1980, piste map, with overlay, acrylic on foam board with overlay; 36.5 x 51 inches (93 x 129.5 cm); signed l.l. (Murray Hay); Description: panorama view, mountain ski resort piste map with overlay showing ski runs of Azu – Powder King Ski Resort, BC (Highway 97, near Mackenzie, BC), framed, $10,200.00 Cdn.
Piste Maps.
Definitions.
Piste - French term - a groomed course or run for skiing.
Piste map - ski map showing locations of slopes and trails for downhill skiing, as well as areas that are ‘off-piste’ (out of bounds).
Murray Hay (1931-2015) was a well known Calgary artist. He was best known as the artist who painted ski areas from 1976 to the early 2000's.
Murray Hay left behind a unique legacy. His work has helped thousands of skiers navigate our beautiful ski areas. From 1976 thru to around 2000, you would notice his signature on most of the ski area trail maps and posters in Canada, and some in the US.
Most of his originals are still hanging at the various ski areas.
Exhibitions:
Piste Maps - during the 2021 Banff Centre Mountain Film & Book Festival (October 30 to November 7).
Literature References and Illustration:
Knowles, Lori. “The Art of the Unexpected.” Ski History Magazine. November-December 2017, 11-2.
Morrow, Pat. Beyond Everest, Quest for the Seven Summits. Camden House, c. 1986.
Murray Hay Ski Maps - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Murrayhayskimaps/.
Tait, Alex. “Mountain Ski Maps of North America, A Preliminary Survey and Analysis of Style.” 6th ICA Mountain Cartography Workshop Mountain Mapping and Visualisation, 2008.
Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies Archives – Murray Hay fonds.