Ain't No Mountain High Enough

One long-ago July, in an RV with duck-motif interior, my family drove to Banff, Alberta. At my young age, the impossibly blue-green Lake Louise and the Rockies surrounding her were the most beautiful sights I'd ever seen. It's no wonder the citizens of Banff have created a world festival to celebrate mountain culture, living as they do in such a perfect expression of it.

The Banff Mountain Film Festival began hitting the national circuit in 1986, and it's become the premier showcase for short mountain-themed films — from adrenaline-packed climbing adventures to cultural glimpses of mountain people to politically charged documentaries. The carefully selected winning film roster has something to entertain and inspire all audiences.

The festival screens tonight and tomorrow night at the Boulder Theater, 2032 14th Street in Boulder; doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7. Tickets, $15, are available at 303-786-7030, www.bouldertheater.com or any REI location. If Boulder is too far afield, the festival will also stop at the Paramount Theatre, 1631 Glenarm Place, on Friday, February 29. For more information, go to www.banffmountainfestivals.ca — and be sure to check out the trailer. Once you get a glimpse of these films, you won't want to miss the festival.
Wed., Feb. 27, 7 p.m.; Fri., Feb. 29, 7 p.m., 2008