About Mountain Culture at The Banff Centre

Critical Issues

Program content for Mountain Culture will be driven by clearly identified critical issues in the mountain community. It is the pursuit of these issues that will allow the Mountain Culture to shape and influence the way the mountain community understands and appreciates the impact that mountain places have in our culture. Current critical issues identified include:

1. Access to mountain regions through public and private lands.

2. Risk and who is taking responsibility for it.

3. Freedom in terms of: where, when, restrictions, payment, regulations.

4. Lifestyle, moving to natural and physical experiences as most attractive.

5. Environmental dichotomy of a grand landscape with a very fragile ecosystem.

6. Growing recognition of the spirituality of mountain places.

7. Inspirational impact of mountains, mountain people, and mountain achievements.

8. Importance of heroic role models associated with mountain experiences.

9. Recognition and definition of a mountain culture.