Dedicated Artist Draws Giant Murals in Mountain Snow Using Only His Snowshoed Feet

Thanks to Marshall Birnbaum for this drone photo

Posted by Simon Beck's Snow Art on Wednesday, February 17, 2016

French artist Simon Beck travels around to the mountains of the world to create giant, elaborate and beautiful murals in the snow, using only his feet (in snowshoes) and the various props he can carry while walking. Beck shared on his Facebook page how he got started in his craft.

It started as a little fun after skiing one evening. Back in 2004 I was still taking orienteering seriously and used to train in the forests in the valley or hike up the Aiguille Rouge, the mountain above Arc2000 after the lifts closed in the evening. One day I couldn’t be bothered but wanted a little exercise, and I got my Silva type 54 compass I use for surveying orienteering maps and went onto the little snow covered lake outside the building I live in, plotted 5 points in a pentangle; and joined them up to make a star. I then filled in the 15 triangles that resulted and later added some circles and the result was impressive especially as there is a nearby chair lift that gives a bird eye view of the lake. When fresh snowfall covered the design I did another more complicated design.

Great Big Story spoke with Beck while he was creating a snow mural.

The best result was the first drawing, as the snow was best, and it was be best site

Posted by Simon Beck's Snow Art on Saturday, February 13, 2016

Early in the morning the lines that were walked in the different direction looked a different shade of grey and I was…

Posted by Simon Beck's Snow Art on Wednesday, February 10, 2016

The photos from the drone have been enhanced with a little digital processing, which has also enhanced the pattern created by the wind. The latter was less obvious than it appears here.

Posted by Simon Beck's Snow Art on Thursday, December 24, 2015

Lori Dorn
Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.