19 Feb 2015
With unrivalled characters of all kinds, let us take a minute to dive deeper into three locals who are born to stand out.
Please feel free to contact us at Banff Lake Louise Tourism for more information on any of these locals and so many more lifetime adventurists...
Paul Zizka, the Artist
The Local: Paul Zizka is a professional mountain landscape and adventure photographer based in Banff, Alberta. Specializing in photographing in difficult conditions and hard-to-reach places, Paul has a passion for documenting the interplay of light and weather in the mountains, shooting alpine endeavours, unique international locations, and capturing the spirit of adventure. Paul's award-winning photos have been featured in a variety of publications, including Huffington Post, the UK Daily Mail, Explore magazine, and Canadian Geographic. Paul's first photography book, Summits and Starlight: The Canadian Rockies, hit the shelves in October 2013, published by Rocky Mountain Books.
For Paul, Banff National Park is the ultimate subject for a landscape photographer. It provides stunning landscapes, vibrant colours, seasonal changes, dynamic conditions, and, for adventurous photographers, the chance to combine a passion for outdoor sports with one's craft. The mountains are moody and ever-changing, which provides a new 'canvas' to work with each and every time he head outdoors. See more of his work online at zizka.ca.
The Story: The rich history and scenic drama of Banff National Park have been inspiring storytellers and artists for generations. Here, there are mountains, grizzly bears and cowboys. There are emerald lakes that can be seen from space, and quiet forest glades that nobody has ever seen (yet). The skies are blue by day and shimmer red and green at night. It is the only protected mountain playground on earth and the last place in the world that is anything like it. Here in Banff National Park, nature rules and is yours to discover.
Norm O'Genski & Martin Brenner, the Coffee Guys
The Locals: Banff Roasting Company is two long time Banff locals with a long time passion for good, fresh, quality coffee and the great outdoors! Norm, a 30 year Bow Valley resident, is a wine merchant, restaurant manager, skier, mountain biker and hiker. The other, Martin, a 20 year local resident, is a Certified Master Chef, skier, mountain biker and outdoorsman.
One day while sipping a coffee and enjoying the mountain views after a mountain bike ride, they realized the need for an Artisan coffee roaster in Banff, and at the same time one that respects the environment. In the early days of Banff the first pioneers brought with them hopes, dreams and beans! The pioneers roasted green coffee beans in a cast iron pan, created a mash and poured hot water over it, making the freshest brew possible. At Banff Roasting Company, Norman and Martin source inspiration from our forefathers and go back to how coffee was meant to be enjoyed – freshly roasted and infused only with the fresh Rocky Mountain air! www.banffroastingcompany.com
The Story: Banff has a wealth of options for the foodie traveller. Amongst the array of fine dining restaurants, you'll find a culinary art unique to Alberta's mountains: sustainable and regionally sourced Rocky Mountain Cuisine. From coffee shops to sweet treats at unique bakeries, vegetarian comfort food to Banff's very own microbrewery, Banff has become a culinary destination in its own right.
Eddie Hunter, the Wise Man
Skier, cinematographer and former newspaper columnist Eddie Hunter is a true Banff local legend. Born in 1926, the same year that Mount Norquay was established, Eddie Hunter has been skiing Banff's first ski resort for over 80 years. Through his skiing career Eddie has logged over 5500 days of skiing, he has written a definitive local history of the legendary Mount Norquay and continued his connection with the mountain as a volunteer host. The quintessential Banff skier, now aged 88, Eddie Hunter continues to ski almost daily, passing his passion on to his children and grandchildren. His personal connection to Banff National Park and Mt. Norquay was most recently chronicled in The Wise Man – one of four dramatic short films from acclaimed cinema production house Sherpas Cinema, capturing the deep spirit of skiing straight from the heart of the Canadian Rockies. www.skibig3.com/sherpas
The Story: Experience elevation elation at our world class ski resorts. Our tri-area lift ticket offers unlimited skiing and riding on almost 8,000 acres of terrain. Yours for exploring – skiing on top of the world, high up on the Continental Divide at Sunshine Village; big bowls, long runs and spectacular scenery at Lake Louise; or untracked lines at Mount Norquay, conveniently located just ten minutes from the town of Banff. Whichever you choose you will find our famous 'champagne powder', uncrowded slopes, terrain that is both vast and varied, and views to take your breath away on rugged Rockies mountaintops with 360 degree views.
To connect with these locals, and many more, reach out to Banff Lake Louise Tourism:
Darcy Peirce Wells
Manager, International
Banff Lake Louise Tourism
403-762-0288
Helena Cox
Manager, Media- International
Banff Lake Louise Tourism
403-762-0276
www.banfflakelouise.com/media-relations|#mybanff!
