2008 Nomination deadline: May 15

The Summit of Excellence Award was introduced at the Banff Mountain Film Festival in 1987 on the recommendation of Jon Whyte, a longtime resident of Banff and ardent supporter of the Festival. It is awarded annually to an individual who has made a significant contribution to mountain life in the Canadian Rockies and is dedicated to the memory of Bill March, an internationally respected mountaineer, author and educator, who was the leader of the first successful Canadian expedition to climb Mount Everest in 1982. Bill shared his love and enthusiasm for the mountains with many as a mentor and guide, and his zest for life was an inspiration to all who knew him prior to his untimely death on September 8, 1990, at the age of 49. Over the years, the Summit of Excellence Award has become perhaps the most significant tribute of the Banff Mountain Film Festival, since it heralds those in our community who would never themselves consciously strive for recognition of this nature. To the annual recipient, the Summit Award truly represents the recognition of one’s peers.

The award is sponsored by:

Past Winners

2007 — Bernadette McDonald — “Author, Climber, Festival Director”

2006 — Gillean and Tony Daffern — “Publishers of Mountain Books”

2005 — Glen Boles — “Climber, Artist”

2004 — Craig Richards — “Mountain Photographer”

2003 — Willi Pfisterer — “Mountain Rescue Innovator”

2002 — Barry Blanchard — “Alpinist”

2001 — Bob Sandford — “Historian, Author, Interpreter”

2000 — Chic Scott — “Mountaineer, Guide, Writer”

1999 — Guy Lacelle — “Climber”

1998 — John Martin — “Climber and Mountain Lover”

1997 — Sharon Wood — “Mother, Mentor, Mountaineer”

1996 — Tim Auger — “Park Warden, Rescue Specialist”

1995 — Brian Greenwood — “Climber”

1994 — Lloyd “Kiwi” Gallagher — “Emergency Services Coordinator”

1993 — Roger Vernon — “Filmmaker”

1992 — Jon Whyte — “Historian”

1991 — Don Forest — “Mountaineer”

1990 — Pat Morrow — “Seven Summits”

1989 — Hans Gmoser — “Heli-Skiing”

1988 — Jim Davies — “Rescue Pilot”

1987 — Bruno Engler — “Photographer”