Mountain Culture
Culture & Community
The Alpine Club of Canada is a network of local communities across the country, united by our love for alpine environments and outdoor experiences. The ACC, and our regional sections, from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland and Labrador to the Yukon, drive Canadian mountain culture through publications, local events, trips, and gatherings.
The ACC supports these communities through an extensive system of backcountry huts, skills-based courses, and educational programs. We document and share mountain experiences and knowledge through publications like the Canadian Alpine Journal, ACC Gazette, and State of the Mountains Report. These works capture both our community’s achievements and the evolving state of Canada’s alpine environments.
Our cultural impact extends through partnerships and events across the country, from the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festivals to the ACC Summit Shaker and includes local gear swaps and speaker presentations. Each local ACC section includes its own events and character, creating a diverse calendar that brings mountain enthusiasts together.
Together, our national programs and local communities work to keep mountain culture thriving and accessible for future generations.
Our Events
Summit Shaker
The ACC and the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) bring together the mountain community to celebrate our mountain culture and raise funds.
Each year the ACC and mountain guide communities get together to renew bonds, share stories, celebrate accomplishments.
The Summit Shaker also features delicious food, drinks, dancing, a silent auction, games and more. Event details will be posted annually on the ACC website as well as in our member mailings.
Banff Mountain Film & Book Festival
The Alpine Club of Canada has been a proud partner of the Banff Mountain Film & Book Festival since its inception in 1976. As one of the festival’s founding partners, we continue our legacy of celebrating mountain culture by presenting the annual awards for Best Book – recognizing works that capture the essence of mountain culture and push the boundaries of mountain storytelling.
During the festival, Banff transforms into an international hub where filmmakers, authors, photographers, and adventurers share their remarkable stories with thousands of outdoor enthusiasts from around the globe. The festival showcases hundreds of books, films, and presentations about climbing, mountain expeditions, remote cultures, and the world’s wildest places. The ACC has had a long, enduring partnership with the Banff Mountain Film & Book Festival.
Mountain Speaker Series
Each year, we bring Canadian Alpine Journal (CAJ) contributors to select MEC locations across Canada, where they share their remarkable journeys and achievements in person. Since 1907, the CAJ has captured the essence of our climbing community through detailed routes, groundbreaking accomplishments, and stunning photography. Mountain Stories Night brings these tales off the page and into life.
The evening features engaging presentations from CAJ contributors and Alpine Club of Canada grant recipients, offering a chance to connect with fellow outdoor enthusiasts. You’ll find silent auctions featuring premium outdoor gear, drinks by donation, and epic prize draws throughout the night.
MEC x ACC section gear swaps
The MEC Gear Swap has been bringing the outdoor community together since the 1990s, and we’re excited to be part of its return! This popular event, hosted at MEC stores, has long been the go-to place for outdoor enthusiasts to buy and sell used gear while connecting with potential adventure partners.
Look for the ACC booth at this year’s MEC Gear Swap, where we’ll be joining the community celebration. Stop by to chat with our members about mountain adventures, learn about ACC programs and benefits, and enter for a chance to win some epic prizes. Whether you’re searching for gear deals or looking to connect with fellow mountaineers, we’ll see you there!
Annual ACC Open House
Join us for our Annual Summer Open House at the ACC Clubhouse!
A beloved community tradition returns this year. You’ll find our famous book mega sale with incredible deals on thousands of titles, mouth-watering BBQ favorites fresh off the grill, and a vibrant marketplace showcasing local organizations, authors, and artists. Don’t miss your chance to win exciting door prizes!
Come be part of this yearly celebration – bring your friends and family to enjoy the sunshine and community spirit!
