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The focus of the Winter Leadership Course is to provide mentorship and training in both technical and leadership skills for our section trip organizers. Participants should be:
Before registering, please review our Trip Waivers and Liability, and Cancellation Policies.
Camps are subject to minimum enrollment in order to run.
Our flagship program for current and aspiring Section trip leaders. Apply now for the opportunity to receive a week of heavily subsidized leadership training based out of the popular Fairy Meadows Hut.
Mountain leadership development is part of The Alpine Club of Canada’s mandate. Hundreds of volunteers give of their time at both the Section and National levels to ensure other ACC members have a safe and enjoyable time in the mountains. To support the leadership development needs of these tireless and invaluable volunteers, The Alpine Club of Canada offers a Mountain Leadership Course for activity organizers from all ACC sections. These courses take place bi–annually in the winter and annually in the summer. The principal objective of these courses is to empower ACC volunteers by enhancing their leadership skill sets. Through alpine environments and technical travel, these leadership courses emphasize the ‘human-factor’ in leaders’ decision-making and the creation of inclusive, enjoyable experiences, applicable to ACC activities across Canada.
Application Opens: October 10th, 2024.
Application Deadline: Applications will be reviewed in order of submission. If you are interested in applying please do so as soon as possible.
A complete application for the Winter Leadership Course will include the submission of the following three components no later than 11:59 PM (MST) on October 30 , 2024.
Please ensure that your application is complete, and that your letter of reference and section endorsement have been submitted. Incomplete applications may not be considered.
If you have been selected for one of the spots on the Mountain Leadership Course, you will be notified no later than November 9th, 2024. Payment for this course will be required at your earliest convenience. This form will be sent out to candidates who have been selected. Participants will not be allowed to attend the course if the completed forms are not received prior to the commencement of camp.
This leadership course is designed for those members who already have some ski touring experience, and may have taken some related courses. The objective of the Winter Leadership Course is to provide leadership training for our section activity organizers. It should be emphasized that this course is designed to complement, not replace, technical or leadership training courses offered at the local level; rather, it is an exceptional opportunity for participants from across the country to share a focused learning program.
The following criteria are used when assessing applications:
This camp is guided by Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) certified ski and mountain guides. Our maximum 5:1 guiding ratio will ensure that everyone gets the support they need to undertake this course.
The ACC hires guides certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG). Visit the ACMG website to learn more about what they do!
*Guiding Staff for a trip sometimes have to be swapped out due to unavoidable circumstances. In this event ACC staff with contact you as soon as possible to update you on any changes to trip staffing
Please note the course does not cover basic ski touring skills or first aid. Conditions permitting, the majority of the daylight hours will be spent actively in the field, building skills for technical travel and skills for group management to improve safety, quality, and overall group experience. In the evenings – after dinner and a bit of relaxation – informal presentations and group discussions of the above topics will be held. Based on skills and experience in previous adventures and trip leadership, it is expected that participants will be able to share contributions to these discussions with related examples of both hard and leadership skills. Participants should be ready to plan, lead and co-ordinate all aspects of trips in the field. This will be an intensive, thought-provoking course with lots of learning for everybody!
Food will be provided and prepared by a professional chef. Please bring any additional snacks or drinks (coffee, tea, juice, etc.) that you wish to have on hand.
The Fairy Meadow hut will be your accommodation for this course. The hut is well equipped with a wood sauna, extensive kitchen and bunks, and is accessed via helicopter. The area around the hut offers outstanding ski touring opportunities.
If you don't have everything on the gear list and aren't ready to invest in your own, there are many awesome local businesses that rent out all of the equipment you will need. Be sure to reserve your rentals ahead of time to make sure everything you need is available for you when you need it.
Cornices and crevasses. Trees, tree wells, and tree stumps. Cliffs, creeks, rocks and boulders. Holes and depressions below the snow surface. Variable and difficult snow conditions. Snowcat roads and road ranks. Fences and other man-made structures. Impact or collision with other persons, vehicles or objects. Encounters with domestic or wild animals. Loss of balance or control. Becoming lost or separated from the group. Slips, trips, and falls.
Mitigated by Trained and experienced Guide.
The use of Radios.
Slips trips and falls indoor or outdoor. Equipment failure. Infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact. Negligence of other persons, including other guests. Negligent first aid. Negligence of the guide Including failure to take reasonable steps to safeguard or protect you from, or warn you of risk, dangers, hazards, on participating in ACC activities
Developed safety plans and procedures with decades of experience managing risk.
Avalanches can occur in the terrain you will be entering. Caused by natural forces, or by people travelling through the terrain (skiing/snowboarding). Anyone caught in an avalanche is at risk of personal injury, death, and/or property damage or loss.
Certified Guides with experience and training to manage this risk.
Daily risk assessment processes.
Guest training
Communication can be difficult and in the event of an accident, rescue and treatment may not be available. Adverse weather may also delay the arrival of treatment and transport out of the field. If an Injury occurs in challenging terrain movement to an evacuation point may be slow.
First Aid / Rescue Training.
Satellite Communications
Even when set up correctly, a ski binding might not release during every fall or may release unexpectedly. The ski boot/binding system is no guarantee that the skier will not be injured. Non-DIN-certified bindings, such as pin/tech bindings, present a higher risk of pre-release and/or injury as they are not designed to the same safety standards as a DIN-certified alpine binding.
Unlike alpine ski boot/binding systems, snowboard and some telemark boot/binding systems are not designed or intended to release and will not release under normal circumstances. Using such a system increases the risk of injury and/or death when caught in an avalanche.
None
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 ACC 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.
