Thanks for joining us!
Presented by Protect our Winters Canada & the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley
Sponsored by SkiUphill
world day for glaciers
Saturday, March 21st, 2026
The inaugural World Day for Glaciers presented by the Biosphere Institute and Protect Our Winters Canada and sponsored by SkiUphill brought together over 90 participants for a dynamic gathering that blended science, art, and community dialogue.
Centered on the idea that the day is “dedicated to listening to and speaking for our vanishing glaciers,” the event speech from Bob Sandford highlighted both urgency and possibility. Programming highlights included a miraculous clearing of a dense snow blizzard making was for blue skies and sunshine (unscheduled ;)), a mesmerizing aerial performance by Sasha Galitzki, speeches from the Future Leaders Youth Council, MLA Sarah Elmelighi and Bob Sandford as well as indoor film screenings of Losing Blue and Embers.
The films were further complemented by personal introductions by the producers, a presentation by ACMG/IFMGA guide Phil Widmer on the impact of climate change while guiding on glaciers as well as an engaging question period.
The event underscored the broader significance of glacier loss, echoing Bob Sandford’s comments that “the fundamental hydrology of the Canadian West… is already changing right before our very eyes,” while also pointing to global implications, including the staggering movement of “ten trillion tonnes of water… between the hemispheres each spring and fall.”
Participants were called to action as signatories to the Future Leaders Youth Council’s letter (https://win.newmode.net/biosphereinstituteofthebowvalley/glacierprotectionplan), sign up as a Protect Our Winters member and the opportunity to send a postcard to William Stevenson calling for further climate action courtesy of POW Canada.
Thank you to Talus Lodge, Patagonia Banff and Wild Life Distillery for their donations of draw prize items.
World Day for Glaciers invited attendees to see themselves as part of a “heroic new narrative” focused on protecting winter, water, and the future. Through education, science, art and action, the Biosphere Institute looks forward to further community engagement!
Pictured: Sasha Galitzki, aerialist and POW Creative Alliance member. Photo credit: Pete O’Hara
Thank you to SkiUphill for their generous event sponsorship!
2026 Inaugural event schedule below. Hope to see you in 2027!
Please sign up to reserve a spot at the indoor portion for the film screening, limit to 40 people.
The outdoor plaza portion of the event does not require registration.
For more information or to sponsor this event, please contact Heidi education@biosphereinstitute.org
The time is now to preserve the vital role of glaciers in sustaining life on Earth for generations to come.