Mountain Art and Craft Sale

Get a jump on your Christmas shopping and support local artists at the same time! Find one-of-a-kind mountain-themed jewellery, artwork, prints, handwoven wearable art and handbags.

Public Sale:
Saturday, October 31, 11 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 1, 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Eric Harvie Theatre RBC Lobby

2009 Banff Mountain Photography Competition

Check out the winners of the 2009 Banff Mountain Photography Competition. The winning images were selected from more than 4000 images from 600 photographers in 41 countries submitted for the 14th annual competition. Exhibition opening, free to the public, Saturday, November 8, Sally Borden Foyer.

Saturday, October 31
Sally Borden Building Lobby

Meet the 2009 Mountain Idol Nominees and Timmy O’Neill

Bid on fabulous items in support of Mountain Idol. Cash bar and light snacks.

Tuesday, November 3, 6:30 – 7:15 p.m.
Eric Harvie Theatre West Lobby

Mountain Book Fair

Featuring the latest titles in mountain literature, as well as maps, photographs, archival material, antiquarian books, and book signings by famous and soon-to-be famous mountain authors.

Thursday, November 5 and Friday, November 6, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Max Bell Building

Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8, 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Laszlo Funtek Building, Room 224

Book Festival Reading Room

Browse through 101 entries in the 2009 Banff Mountain Book Festival Competition.

Thursday, November 5 and Friday, November 6 Max Bell Building, Room 252

Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8 Laszlo Funtek Building, Room 223

Live Performance
“As far as I can take you” – the Life of Conrad Kain

A one-man play tracing the journey of the Alpine Club of Canada’s first professional mountain guide from his humble beginnings in Austria to the first ascent of Mount Robson. The play is inspired by Kain’s own words – gathered from personal letters –- describing his experience as an immigrant to Canada, his “principles of guiding”, and his deep love of natural beauty. Actor Phillip Nugent embodies Kain’s gregarious quick wit, connecting audiences to this mountaineering legend who continues to inspire generations of climbers.

Thursday, November 5, 4 – 4:45 p.m.
Max Bell Auditorium

Book Launch and Signings

A great chance to have books signed by Jerry Auld, Niall Grimes, Bernadette McDonald, Pat Morrow, Mike Nash, Chic Scott, and others. Don’t miss out on the launch of the newly re-issued Where the Clouds Can Go, written by Conrad Kain and first published in 1935.

Thursday, November 5, 4:45 – 5:30 p.m.
Max Bell Building Husky Energy Foyer

Exhibition Opening
Alpine Wonderlands — Renan Ozturk

Renan Ozturk has two passions – climbing and art. He began climbing while in college, where he honed his skills and deepened his connection to the sport and the remote and beautiful places it could take him. The stunning scenery of locations such as Yosemite, Indian Creek, Squamish, and the Bugaboos serves as inspiration for his art: drawing, painting, and animation.

Friday, November 6, 4 – 5 p.m.
Max Bell Building Husky Energy Foyer

Book Signings

A chance to say hello to, and have a book signed by, Jerry Auld, Gill & Tony Daffern, Sarah Garlick, Niall Grimes, Frances Klatzel, Bree Loewen, Lynn Martel, Sid Marty, Bernadette McDonald, Geoff Powter, Mike Nash, Royal Robbins, and Chic Scott.

Friday, November 6, 4 – 5 p.m.
Max Bell Building Husky Energy Foyer

Mountain Trade Show

Planning on buying gear this year? Thinking about your next adventure? Want to learn more about mountain organizations in your area? The Mountain Trade Show in the Eric Harvie Theatre RBC Lobby and LF 222 is your one-stop shop for planning all your mountain activities. Our two locations feature the latest in gear and apparel, remote mountain resorts and lodges, outdoor industry training, adrenalin-pumping adventure travel opportunities, traditional art from far and wide, and more!

Friday, November 6, 7 – 10 p.m.
Eric Harvie Theatre RBC Lobby

Saturday, November 7, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday, November 8, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Laszlo Funtek Building, Room 222

Learning Opportunities

Detailed Schedule

Friday, November 6 – Sunday, November 8 Various Venues

Hot Topic: Noon-hour Seminar
Party of One

The decision to leave the rope at home is one of the most hotly debated practices in climbing. In the same breath, free soloing is labeled as both the purest version of the game and the most pathologically irresponsible. The soloists themselves get called everything from the true heroes of climbing to stunters and madmen. This provocative panel will ask climbers and filmmakers with a deep connection to the dangerous game the big question: Why? Why take such risks? Why solo this climb and not that one? And why have some of the world’s best climbers never untied from the rope?

Saturday, November 7, 12:30 – 1:45 p.m.
Max Bell Auditorium

Dean Karnazes DVD/Book Signing

Stop by the Sole booth to meet Ultra Marathon Man Dean Karnazes! Check at the Sole booth for details.

Saturday, November 7
Laszlo Funtek Building – Mountain Tradeshow, Sole Booth

Trail Run with Dean Karnazes

This is your chance to take to the trails with “the fittest man on earth”! Join Dean Karnazes for a 35-45 minute run on a local trail.

Sunday, November 8, 8 – 9 a.m.
Sally Borden Building

Hot Topic: Noon-hour Seminar
Why Can’t Hollywood Get It Right?

Documentary and fantasy fiction films are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Storytellers working in fiction are free to invent characters and scenarios, those working in nonfiction are not. But the tricky part comes somewhere in between.

Mountaineers could be grouped together with lawyers, doctors, and football players in terms of non-realistic portrayals in the movies and on television. We’ll explore some attempts — successful and not — to dramatize the mountain experience. Panel members will share their experiences from in front of and behind the camera, and as viewers.

Sunday, November 8, 12:30 – 1:45 p.m.
Max Bell Auditorium

Program subject to change.

Photo: The Banff Centre.