Membership Benefits
The Alpine Club of Canada (ACC) offers a comprehensive membership experience for outdoor enthusiasts, providing access to 32 backcountry huts, 2 front country hostels, and Shadow Lake Lodge; guided mountain adventures; environmental stewardship opportunities; and leadership training across 25 local sections nationwide. Members receive benefits including discounted gear, publications, financial grants, and participation in mountain culture activities, while supporting conservation efforts and connecting with a community of outdoor professionals and passionate mountaineers.
Be a Part of a Local ACC Section
Local sections of the ACC are the heart and soul of the club. Your membership allows you to join one or more of our 25 sections, from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland and Labrador to the Yukon.
Local section membership allows you to attend the outings, social events and training courses that are organized and run by that section. Outings are either free, or run on a cost-recovery basis. Section members climb, hike and ski together, clean up crags, volunteer, build, and partake in their mountain communities.
- Access to trips, camps and outings in your area
- Training programs
- Social activities
Visit 32 Backcountry Huts
The ACC’s network of 32 backcountry huts is the largest in North America. From family-friendly log cabins in mountain meadows to backcountry powder paradises and remote climbers’ refuges, we’ve got something for everyone.
The ACC operates the Canmore Clubhouse Hostel with dorm-style accommodation, family rooms and private cabins.
Your membership gives you reduced rates at our backcountry huts and hostel.
Go on Guided Mountain Adventures
We’ve been organizing mountain adventures since 1906. We organize camps and courses from weekend to week-long, in summer and winter for climbing, hiking and skiing.
Your membership gives you access to the ACC’s slate of guided mountain adventures. Whether you’re looking for skills courses, hut-based powder camps, women’s only programs, glacier traverses, international trips or our famous General Mountaineering Camp, we have you covered.
Be a Steward of the Environment
The ACC recognizes that access to mountain environments obligates us to understand and protect these unique areas.The ACC advocates for access to and preservation of mountain areas through monetarily supporting conservation projects with our Environment Fund and by publishing and promoting scientific reports. Our work is made possible by our members and member dues.
Your membership in the ACC is an act of preserving Canada’s wild alpine areas.
Dive Into Mountain Culture
Our passion for climbing and alpine environments is expressed in different ways, with some of the most long lasting being the films and writing that recall the experiences in the mountains. The ACC furthers mountain culture through our journals, magazines, online newsletters and content and through our partnership with the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festivals, of which the ACC is a founding partner. This is our Mountain Culture.
Your membership gives you free and discounted rates on all ACC publications.
Apply for Financial Grants
To further our goals of protecting the environment, promoting mountain experiences and fostering leadership, the ACC annually provides financial assistance for mountain projects.
We fund private trips and expeditions through the Jen Higgins Grant for Young Women and the John Lachlan Award; protection and preservation initiatives through our Environment Grant, and leadership development through multiple scholarships.
Funding priority is given to projects initiated by the ACC and its members.
Discounted Apparel, Equipment and Merchandise
Did you know that your ACC membership provides you with some great discounts?
- ACC Store: 15% off on all products in our store.
- The North Face: 50% off apparel and 40% off gear. The program allows you to spend up to $2,000, twice a year.
- Rocky Talkie: 20% off Rocky Talkie products for ACC members.
- Canadian Alpine Journal: Get a $10 discount on the latest edition of the CAJ when purchased at the same time as joining or renewing your ACC membership. Purchases before June 30 will receive the current year’s edition and after July 1 will receive the following year’s edition.
Access to ExpertVoice
Members of the Alpine Club of Canada, are recognized as experts in the outdoor community, and that means eligibility for exclusive discounts on top outdoor brands through ExpertVoice. It’s designed for people like you—those who live and breathe the outdoors and share their expertise with others. To apply:
Train as a Leader
The ACC has a standing Leadership Development Committee to facilitate the club’s goal of training and supporting mountain leaders across Canada.
Local sections schedule regular climbing, skiing and hiking outings and members are welcome to attend, learn and lead trips, furthering their skills. The national club offers intensive week-long leadership development courses in both summer and winter.
Your membership gives you access to training opportunities at both the local section and at the national club. Members have access to our extensive leadership manuals and handbooks.
