The focus of the Summer 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 our ever-popular GMC.
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 North Face and The Alpine Club of Canada offer a Mountain Leadership Course for activity organizers from all ACC sections. These courses takes place annually in the summer, and bi–annually in the winter. 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: February 14th, 2025
Application Deadline: please submit your application with all supporting documentation by March 31, 2025.
A complete application for the Mountain Leadership Course will include the submission of the following three components no later than 11:59 PM (MST) on March 31st, 2025:
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 April 14th, 2025. 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 climbing experience and may have taken some related courses. The objective of the Mountain 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:
Your instructor team is lead by ACMG certified alpine or full mountain guides. Supported by dedicated and experienced section trip leaders/coordinators. Bringing professional and recreation perspectives on mountain leadership together, tailored for the club and your needs.
The focus of this course will be to identify and exercise key leadership skills in a summer mountaineering environment. Through adventure, planning, and practice, the objective is to develop each individual’s capabilities, covering a broad range of leadership skills, with emphasis on the following:
Please note the course does not cover basic climbing 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!
Evenings will be spent enjoying great food, socializing in the dining or tea tents and resetting for the next day’s climbing. All our food is prepared by a dedicated team of chefs in a dedicated cooking tent. And all ingredients are flown in fresh each week meaning you’ll be treated to meat, fruit and vegetables (not to mention some killer desserts) through the week, no dehydrated stuff here! Have you even had a turkey dinner above 2,000 meters?
During the course of the camp you’ll be assigned a Mountain Hardwear Trango tent with a companion of your choice or a fellow guest. The tents are large (3 or 4 person) so there is plenty of space for both of you and your gear. If you prefer your own personal tent, this is also an option although we do charge an extra fee of $200 for this as tents are limited.
As well as your sleeping tent, there is a communal dining tent, drying tent and tea tent to hang out with your fellow participants. The camp also has two specially prepared outhouses for guests as well as two private showers (now with hot water!)
If you are looking for a bit of extra gear, there are many great rental shops to help outfit you. Be sure to reserve your rentals ahead of time to make sure everything you need is available for you when you need it.
Coming from the Bow Valley? Check out Gear Up in Canmore. ACC members get 10% off all gear rentals!
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.
Rockfall and icefall can be caused by natural forces or by people travelling through the terrain (e.g. climbing/scrambling/hiking)
Mitigated with certified and experienced guides, Helmets
Mountaineering and ice climbing present the risk of falling from the wall causing the climber to collide with the wall or ground which can lead to injury or death. The risk of a belay failure is also present which can contribute to a ground fall.
Reviewing best practices with the guide.
Equipment checks
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
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.
