Mountain rescue trainer Willi Pfisterer wins 2003 Bill March Summit of Excellence Award

Willi Pfisterer, whose name is synonymous with modern mountain rescue in Canada, is the winner of the 2003 Bill March Summit of Excellence Award. Pfisterer will be honoured at the 2003 Banff Mountain Film Festival. The 17th annual award is sponsored by One Step Beyond WorldWide in memory of Calgary climber Bill March, an internationally respected mountaineer, author and educator.

Pfisterer has made remarkable contributions to the mountain community since he arrived in the Canadian Rockies more than four decades years ago. The Austrian native, who first came to Canada and the Laurentian Mountains in 1955 to teach skiing, helped establish the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, the Canadian Avalanche Association, and the rescue dog program in Canada.

"Willi Pfisterer’s love of adventure, his passion for teaching, his sense of humour and the pride that he takes in the accomplishments of his colleagues have made him a legend in mountain rescue circles all over Canada," says Bernadette McDonald, vice president, Mountain Culture, The Banff Centre. "He is a man of action who has climbed approximately 1,600 peaks and been involved in over 700 rescues."

After arriving in the West in 1956, Pfisterer opened a ski shop in Jasper, where he began guiding during the summers. In 1959, Hans Gmoser invited him on the first successful Canadian ascent of the East Ridge of Mountain Logan, Canada’s highest mountain.

Pfisterer later became a snow and avalanche specialist in Glacier National Park, and then with the warden service in Jasper National Park. He quickly advanced warden service understanding of snow dynamics and avalanche rescue.

Next, Pfisterer turned his attention to mountain rescue. He examined European equipment and techniques and found ways to modify them for Canadian conditions. Through his insight and vision, park wardens became highly equipped and trained in mountain rescue; rescue response times were reduced from days to hours. Pfisterer is now retired and living west of Jasper.

Pfisterer will receive the 2003 Summit of Excellence Award at the closing night of the Banff Mountain Film Festival, on Sunday, November 9. Past recipients of the award include Barry Blanchard (2002), Bob Sandford (2001), Chic Scott (2000), Guy Lacelle (1999), John Martin (1998), Sharon Wood (1997), Tim Auger (1996), Brian Greenwood (1995), Kiwi Gallagher (1994), Roger Vernon (1993), Jon Whyte (1992), Don Forest (1991), Pat Morrow (1990), Hans Gmoser (1989), Jim Davies (1988) and Bruno Engler (1987). Read more about past recipients

Downloadable photos are available at www.banffmountainfestivals.ca/ftp

The Banff Centre is Canada’s centre for creative excellence in the arts, leadership development, mountain culture, and conferences. Mountain Culture at The Banff Centre promotes understanding and appreciation of the world’s mountain places by creating opportunities for people to share – and find inspiration in – mountain experiences, ideas and visions.

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