Simon Beck walks 40 thousand steps a day. He’s not just doing it for his health — he’s doing it for his art. Beck is a snow artist who creates intricate geometric patterns over vast expanses of Alpine snow. His tool: snowshoes.

Beck is a former mapmaker from England who started making snow art when he was having trouble with his feet. According to the Daily Mail, he came up with the idea of walking his designs into the snow as a form of exercise and foot therapy. He also hoped he might make some money, since his foot problem had forced him to retire from his form of orienteering mapmaking. Today, Beck makes snow art for advertising campaigns as well as for his own pleasure and is selling his new book of stunning snow art photographs online.

To keep up with Simon Beck’s snow art, visit his Facebook page