Winner
Griz Days
Fernie’s Griz Days festival has been running since 1977, but the “Griz” myth dates back to 1879. Legend has it that a baby boy born in a grizzly bear cave battled the bear for his life, and the boy later wore the bear’s coat while living in the mountains away from townsfolk. The Griz Days festival was developed in honour of the Griz with the goal of getting back to nature. The event is chock-full of sporting events and competitions like the Rocky Mountain Lumberjack and Downhill Dummy competitions, as well as community activities like fire pits, photo opportunities and the Griz Day Parade that travels throughout Fernie.
Fernie, B.C., ferniegrizdays.com
Runners-Up
Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival
Banff, banffcentre.ca
Canmore Folk Music Festival
Canmore, canmorefolkfestival.com
Banff Pride
Banff, banffpride.ca
Banff Craft Beer Festival
Banff, albertabeerfestivals.com