United Nations International Year Of Glaciers' Preservation
ACC Recognizes the UN International Year Of Glaciers' Preservation
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.
ACC Glacial Science & Adventure Courses
Explore the intersection of glacial science and mountain adventure through ACC’s specialized courses designed to deepen understanding of these extraordinary landscapes. Our 2025 programming goes beyond traditional mountaineering, integrating scientific exploration with hands-on learning. Highlights include the Hatteras GMC Week 5, featuring an on-site glaciologist who will provide real-time insights into glaciology and the urgent challenges of glacial retreat linked to climate change. Participants will not only enhance their mountain travel skills but also gain critical knowledge about these fragile ecological systems. From beginner-level glacier awareness workshops to advanced glacial travel techniques, our courses cater to diverse skill levels and curiosities.
$800
Glacier Discovery Bugaboos
- 3 days
- Aug 15-17, 2025
- Bugaboo Provincial Park
- open
$800
Glacier Discovery Bugaboos
- 3 days
- Aug 15-17, 2025
- Bugaboo Provincial Park
- open
$800
Glacier Discovery Bow-Peyto
- 3 days
- July 18-20, 2025
- Wapta Glacier
- open
$800
Glacier Discovery Bow-Peyto
- 3 days
- July 18-20, 2025
- Wapta Glacier
- open
$2,795
Hatteras GMC Week 5
- 6 days
- Aug 2-7, 2025
- Hatteras - North Purcells
- open
$2,795
Hatteras GMC Week 5
- 6 days
- Aug 2-7, 2025
- Hatteras - North Purcells
- open
ACC State of Mountains Articles
The State of the Mountains Report is a commitment by the ACC to provide accessible, current, and accurate information about the forces that affect Canadian mountain places, ecosystems, and communities.
In 2011, The Alpine Club of Canada published the first State of the Mountains Report, which highlighted the startling impacts of climate change on the alpine environment of Alberta and British Columbia. The 2011 report was motivated by the ACC’s commitment to summarize and better communicate an understanding of the environmental and cultural forces affecting these high places.
2025 United Nations International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation: A Canadian Preview
The United Nations has declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation (IYGP) and March 21st as the World Day for Glaciers, to raise awareness of the critical role of glaciers, snow, and ice on local and global climate systems, and to recognize the social and economic impacts that changes will bring.
Accelerated Change in the Glaciated Environments of Western Canada
In this article, Alexandre Bevington and Brian Menounos summarize recently published research that updates maps of western Canadian glaciers using new automated mapping tools
Upcoming Events
Learn more about events honouring our world’s glaciers through presentations, exhibits, and talks. The following schedule includes events around the Canadian Rockies, section events throughout Canada and global events hosted by the United Nations and UNESCO and will be updated throughout the year!
[Exhibition] MELTDOWN: A Drop In Time
January 25 - April 30, 2025
Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, 111 Bear St. Banff, AB
[ACC Edmonton Social] Lynn Martel, Mountain Author & Writer in Residence with the 2025 UN International Year of Glaciers Preservation
February 27, 2025 6:00pm-8:00pm MST
Fjallraven: 11970 104 Ave, Edmonton, AB
[UN Official Event] Launch of the 1st World Day for Glaciers and World Water Day
March 21, 2025 10:00am - 6:00pm
New York, New York, USA
Feature Resource: Let's Talk Glaciers!
Mountain Studies Researcher and long-time ACC member Mary Sanseverino shares insights and comparison images of Canadian glaciers over time.
Mary Sanseverino shares staggering images of glaciers located in the Canadian Rockies, the Yukon, and on Vancouver Island, and compares historical photos of these glaciers to images taken within the last five years.
As Mary writes: “Glaciers play a critical role in our climate systems, hydrological cycles, and global water resources – to say nothing of how we value them as alpinists! Using repeat photography as muse, the following vignettes suggest a few of the many ways we, as mountaineers, climbers, hikers, skiers, sky-runners – people who love to play, stay, and work in the mountains – might use 2025 to tell our own stories of ice and snow.”
Additional Resources
