The Alpine Club of Canada (ACC) is a renowned non-profit organization with a rich heritage deeply rooted in the exploration and preservation of Canada’s mountainous regions. Established in 1906, the ACC has been at the forefront of promoting mountaineering, fostering a sense of adventure, and advocating for the protection of the alpine environment for over a century.
The club’s founders envisioned an organization that would provide a welcoming space for like-minded individuals to come together, share their love for the mountains, and push the boundaries of mountain exploration. Over the years, the ACC has grown to become a vibrant community of passionate climbers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts with hubs of local community in our sections across the country. Through its dedication to the pursuit of knowledge and adventure, the ACC has expanded our understanding of Canada’s mountains and the outdoors and their significance to our national identity.
The Alpine Club of Canada has 25 local sections across the country from Newfoundland and Labrador to Vancouver Island and the Yukon. We’ve been passionate about climbing, hiking and skiing in alpine environments for over 100 years. Everyone is welcome.
The Alpine Club of Canada is thrilled to announce the newest addition to its hut network – a new hut at Robson Pass. This hut has been more than two decades in the making and will serve as a gateway to the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies and the surrounding area.
Peru’s Cordillera Blanca is a land of soaring granite peaks, harsh alpine terrain, and unexpected adventure. In search of new lines and untouched summits, John Lauchlan Award recipients, Tom Schindfessel, Mike Bowyer, and Aritza Monasterio set off on a month-long climbing trip, facing everything from thin air and loose rock to high-altitude fried chicken cravings. Their journey took them from the bustling streets of Huaraz to the remote faces of Hualcán and Cashan Oeste, where they battled rockfall, steep ice, and the limits of endurance. With stunning landscapes and bold objectives, their experience revealed the beauty and unpredictability of climbing in the Andes.
In 25 local sections across Canada, all year round, members of the ACC climb, ski, hike, go to the gym, clean up crags, build trails, and gather for social events. From St. John’s to Vancouver Island to the Yukon, thousand of club outings are run by volunteers each year.
Pulling from the 2024 ACC Gazette, these stories are from our club members, in their own words, about an aspect of their section that is special to them.
2025 marks the United Nations’ pivotal International Year of Glacier Preservation—a global initiative to raise awareness about the critical state of the world’s glaciers. The Alpine Club of Canada (ACC) stands committed to amplifying this crucial message, dedicating this digital platform to sharing comprehensive resources, compelling narratives, scientific insights, and educational materials. Through curated content including expert videos, scientific research, interactive timelines, and personal stories, we aim to illuminate the profound significance of glaciers to our planet’s ecological balance and human communities. This hub will serve as a dynamic, evolving resource for members, outdoor enthusiasts, environmental advocates, and anyone passionate about understanding and protecting these magnificent ice formations.
The ACC offers a variety of mountain accommodation experiences. These include hostels in Canmore and Lake Louise, North America’s largest network of backcountry huts and a full-service backcountry lodge in Banff National Park.
Our network of backcountry huts is an integral part of the ACC experience. Nestled in breathtaking settings, these huts offer a warm and comfortable refuge for mountaineers and hikers exploring the Canadian wilderness. These rustic yet well-maintained facilities provide a base for overnight trips, allowing members to venture deeper into the mountains and experience the serenity of the backcountry.
ACC members gain access to a wide range of benefits and resources. We organize guided expeditions, instructional courses, and workshops led by experienced professionals, providing opportunities to learn essential mountain skills and develop confidence in the backcountry and the alpine environment. Additionally, our network of local sections across Canada offers a platform for members to connect, share knowledge, and plan trips with fellow adventurers in their area.
Our club delivers great value and fellowship, enriches lives, promotes and protects our natural spaces. But our community’s needs and interests are changing and we need to keep pace. You are helping provide alpine explorers with affordable, responsible and thrilling wilderness adventures. You are caring for and growing North America’s largest system of back-country huts. You are fostering a network of talented volunteers and leaders. You are celebrating our mountain story and advocating for the protection of our environment.
We appreciate that the lands known today as Canada are home to the enduring presence of all First Nations and Métis people, and the Inuit and we acknowledge the past, present, and future generations of these Nations who continue to lead us in stewarding this land, as well as honour their knowledge and cultural ties to this place. The Alpine Club of Canada’s head office is located in the traditional lands of Treaty 7, which is comprised of the Stoney Nakoda Nations of Wesley, Chiniki, and Bearspaw; three Nations of the Blackfoot Confederacy: the Piikani, Kainai, and Siksika; the Mountain Cree; and the Tsuu T’ina of the Dene people. This territory is also shared with the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III. Before the signing of Treaty 7, and prior to the establishment of provincial boundaries, this region was also used by the Ktunaxa and the Maskwacis people.
General Inquiries
Phone: 403-678-3200
Email: [email protected]
201 Indian Flats Rd.
PO Box 8040 Main St, Canmore, AB, T1W 2T8, Canada
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
The Alpine Club of Canada is a registered Amateur Athletic Association and a registered Canadian charity (Registration No: 10670 4182 RR0001). The ACC’s US Foundation can accept charitable donations from donors living in the United States. We will issue a charitable tax receipt for eligible donations of $20 or more.
