Fact Sheet
Banff Mountain Book Festival
Next Festival: November 3 and 4, 2010
What is the Banff Mountain Book Festival?
The Banff Mountain Book Festival is the largest book festival of its kind in the world. Each year, the Festival brings the spirit of outdoor adventure and the tradition of mountain literature to Banff, uniting writers, publishers, editors, photographers and, of course, readers. Featuring guest speakers, readings, seminars, an international book competition, a book fair, and book signings and launches, the festival offers a wide spectrum of experiences for the participants and the audience.
The year 2010 marks the 17th anniversary of the Banff Mountain Book Festival.
What is the Banff Mountain Book Festival competition?
The Banff Mountain Book Festival is an internationally recognized literary competition. In 2009, more than 101 books from 10 countries were entered into the competition. Winners will be presented at the book festival awards in the following categories:
Grand Prize: Phyllis and Don Munday Award, CAD $2,000 cash prize, sponsored by the Alberta Sections of the Alpine Club of Canada
Best Book on Mountain Literature, CAD $1,000, sponsored by the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Banff
CAD $500 cash prize for each of the following:
- Best Book on Mountain Exposition, sponsored by Yamnuska Mountain Adventures
- Best Book on Mountain Image, sponsored by RAB
- Best Book on Adventure Travel, sponsored by Bison Courtyard
- Best Book on Mountaineering History, James Monroe Thorington Award for the Best Work of Mountaineering History, sponsored by UIAA
Also awarded at the 2010 Banff Mountain Book Festival: Canadian Rockies Award sponsored by Deuter and selected by a local committee. (The Canadian Rockies award does not include a cash prize.)
What happens at the festival?
The festival includes presentations by special guests, readings, panel discussions, book signings, and a mountain book fair. Over its 17-year history, the festival has featured guests such as: David de Rothschild, John Harlin III, Ed Viesturs, James Tabor, Steph Davis, Jim Perrin, Jennifer Jordan, Mick Fowler, Dr. Bradford Washburn, Dr. Thomas Hornbein, Jon Krakauer, Wade Davis, Ed Douglas, Terry Tempest Williams, Joe Simpson, David Roberts, Greg Child, Jim Curran, David Breashears, Tim Cahill, Gretel Ehrlich, Sid Marty, Aron Ralston, Rick Ridgeway, and Alex Huber.
The 16th annual Banff Mountain Book Festival featured Royal Robbins, Steve House, Niall Grimes, Jerry Auld, Mike Nash, Chic Scott, Pat Morrow, Bernadette McDonald and others.
Presenting and Supporting Partners of the Banff Mountain Book Festival
The 17th annual Banff Mountain Book Festival Presenting Partners include National Geographic and Redwood Creek Wines; sponsored by Parks Canada, Deuter, Outdoor Research, Stones into Schools/Three Cups of Tea, PrimaLoft, Tom's of Maine, ProBar; with assistance from the Alpine Club of Canada, Pages on Kensington, CBC Radio-Canada, the Calgary Herald, and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts.
What about other mountain-themed programming?
Banff Mountain Festival programming 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.
In addition to the fall festival, programs at The Banff Centre include the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, the Banff Mountain Photography Competition, the Adventure Filmmakers’ Workshop, Adventure Photography Workshop, Mountain Writing Program, exhibitions of mountain artists, Leading Ideas Speakers’ Series, and scholarships for various training opportunities.
What is The Banff Centre?
The Banff Centre is Canada’s creative leader in arts in culture.
Our mission is Inspiring Creativity.
In our powerful mountain setting, exceptional artists and leaders from around the world create and perform new works of art, share skills and knowledge in an interdisciplinary environment, explore ideas, and develop solutions in the arts, leadership, and the environment.
Where is Banff?
Banff is located in the province of Alberta, Canada, about 130 km west of Calgary on the Trans-Canada Highway. Banff is situated in Banff National Park, which is part of the UNESCO Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site. Banff is Canada’s oldest and most popular national park.
How can I get more information?
Details about the Banff Mountain Festival and mountain programming at The Banff Centre are available at www.banffmountainfestival.ca
Media contact:
Jill Sawyer
Media and Communications Officer
The Banff Centre
phone: 403-762-6475; fax: 403-762-6158
email: jill_sawyer@banffcentre.ca
