STORY BY KAREN BOSSICK

PHOTOS COURTESY of BANFF FILM FESTIVAL

You’ll journey from Kathmandu to Nepal’s remote Dolpo region, attempt a daring first descent of Canada’s Mount Robson’s South Face and follow two adventurous fathers taking their 2-year-old sons on a six-day mountain bike tour through the Swiss Alps when the 2026 Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour comes to Sun Valley.

There’ll be 18 films spread over three nights at the Sun Valley Opera House Friday through Sunday, Jan. 30-Feb. 1.

“Robson follows ski mountaineers on a first descent in Canada. PHOTO: Josh Lavine

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door, available at https://www.showpass.com/banff-centre-mountain-film-festival-world-tour-3/. And a portion of each ticket sale will benefit the Rota-Rippers tuition-free learn-to-ski and snowboard program for 5- to 11-year-olds at Rotarun Ski Area.

The World tour reaches more than 550,000 audience members through 1,100-plus screenings in 500 locations in 40 countries.

One of the stars of this year’s tour is “Best Day  Ever,” which follows two adaptive mountain bikers as they navigate the challenges of life with humor and attitude. The film has won 13 awards worldwide as it offers a story of grit, independence and what’s possible when community and creativity come together to build the world’s first fully adaptive trail network in Vermont.

This is the 50th year of the Banff Centre, and it’s the 26th year that Michael Boge has been hosting the Banff films in Sun Valley.

Sunday’s lineup includes “Cold Calls—Japan.”

“In the beginning, I took it on as a dare; the previous person had not been able to make it work years earlier.  I was double-dog dared, so being an arrogant fool, committed to two days from the get-go!” he said. “Problem was, I could not find a venue. Finally, digging through the back of the NexStage Theatre with Kathy Wygle, we found a screen.

Then, Boge said, the tickets were all paper copies, and it was cash only.  And he stayed at the Bald Mountain Hot Springs, which has since been replaced by Limelight Hotel Ketchum.

“I called the desk and was told they would leave the door unlocked since I would arrive around 1 a.m.,” he recalled. “What continues is the excitement the films and programs bring to the community.  It is powerful, it is passionate, and it engages the audience in asking ‘What can I do in my life to make the most of this great gift we have?’ ”.

The films start their journey to Sun Valley in July when Boge’s contract arrives and he begins searching for tech people.

“In the early days, all the equipment traveled in the Banff van--one of four that crisscrossed the U.S. and Canada.  Now it all comes online, and almost all shows are without a road warrior, who can be expensive as he needs hotels and covering traveling expenses. Theaters used to be $180 a night; now they run $1,500 a night plus additional expenses. 

“I still enjoy it, though, and the best part is seeing people in their seats having a great time and forgetting about all their life's problems for a bit,” he said. “And maybe, even, beginning to think about what kind of adventure they can do on their own!”

FRIDAY’S FILMS

“Mandala”—Kilian Bron and his team journey from Kathmandu to Nepal’s remote Dolpo region, navigating dizzying ridgelines and timeless villages as they explore the meaning of responsible travel.

“Flow Vision”—Abroise Trauet decides to downhill skateboard the most challenging road in Europe.

“Robson”—Two world-class ski mountaineers attempt a daring first descent of Mount Robson’s South Face, retracing the footsteps of alpine pioneers.

“Emil & Karl—Little Wheels, Big Mountains”—Jakob and Konne take their 2-year-old sons on a six-day mountain bike tour through the Swiss Alps, an adventure that turns into a test of patience for all.

“Lines”—Following the interwoven journey of a skier and a rapper.

“Old Man Lightning”—The best climbing comedy comeback ever made with a conservation plight.

SATURDAY’S FILMS

“Jaunt”—Justice is weighed down by mounting deadlines and an endless to-do list. But every day he finds escape in a one-hour ritual.

“Bridgers”—Two Bozeman-based ski patrollers reflect on the rapid changes facing their home and the sport they love.

“Beyond Parallels”—After crossing Canada from North to South in 2021, the adventurers of AKOR expeditions cross Canada’s Far North from West to East, from the Yukon to Baffin Island, by bike, canoe, sailboat and on foot.

“One Step Ahead”—After losing his leg in an accident Norwegian skier Bernt Maris gets back to skiing big lines in the Sunnmore Alps.

“Trail to Bayanihan”—A woman pedals through diverse landscapes in the Philippines, learning how biking connects cultures along the way.

“Reel Rock: Riders on the Storm”—Big wall climber Siebe Vanhee enlists three others in attempting the first free ascent of the elusive Riders on the Storm route on the East Face of Patagonia’s Torre Central.

SUNDAY’S FILMS

“Cold Calls—Japan”—Piece together conversations and memories through skiing.

“The Hive Architect”—For the last 14 years Matt Somerville has spent the winters creating log hives before erecting them around all of England in the summer.

“Best Day Ever”—Adaptive mountain bikers Greg Dursos and Allie Bianchi navigate the challenges of their disabilities with humor and attitude in rural Vermont. 2025 BEST FILM: Mountain Sports and 2025 AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD.

“Deluge”—Battling the elements.

“Dissidence”—Twin brothers from Indonesia retrace their journey from the training walls of Jakarta to a climbing route in Savoie, France.

“A Baffin Vacation, Love on Ice”—Adventurers Erik and Sarah kite ski north along the remote coastline of Baffin, skiing mountains, climbing big walls and crossing a glacier in search of new rivers to whitewater kayak.