The Alpine Club of Canada Whistler Section has a Board of Directors (BOD), which meet(s) regularly. Issues discussed and raised at those meetings are then presented at a general regular members’ meeting, where anyone who is a member of the section can attend. The agenda for the meetings vary, but they typically consist of a discussion around the upcoming trips, training sessions, and practices. There is usually a slide show presentation, sometimes of the Wendy Thompson Hut, other times of recent trips the section has done together, or one that a member has done independently. There is also a Annual General Meeting (AGM) that all are invited to.
ACC Whistler encourages its members to grow their skills in the backcountry. We host a variety of sessions that allow for a chance to learn something new, or practice an old skill. Currently, interest has been expressed in Avalanche Transceiver Practices, Snow Science, and Crevasse Rescue, but we are happy to coordinate other skill development. You just have to let us know, and the best way to do that is at a BOD or AGM meeting. Most of the times the training sessions are free to members, but once in a while we hire outside experts (guides) and will ask for a nominal fee to help with the costs. We typically get an overwhelming response to a session when we schedule it, so RSVP and signed waivers are a must on each training session. Contact information, dates, times, and meeting locations are all posted on the calendar.
Common areas that we travel are the back of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains (Musical Bumps, Cowboy Ridge, Decker), and off the Duffey Lake Road, north of Pemberton (Marriott Basin, Rohr, Cerise Creek). For those who have never had the pleasure of ski touring, or want to have a gentle day, we offer introductory backcountry ski days at various times during the season. Typically those days are spent in the Musical Bumps, off Whistler mountain. A 3-to-5 day Spearhead Traverse across the stunning ring of glaciers that link Blackcomb and Whistler, and the heart of our newest hut project are also likely. We require RSVP and signed waivers on all trips. Contact information, dates, times, and meeting locations are all posted on the calendar.
From simple to the technical, depending on conditions, leader and participants. We require RSVP and signed waivers on all trips. Contact information, dates, times, and meeting locations are all posted on the calendar.
Hiking on snow - no need for a trail, but route finding is important. We require RSVP and signed waivers on all trips. Contact information, dates, times, and meeting locations are all posted on the calendar.
We generally climb week nights at Cheakamus Canyon. No experience is necessary, although you do need to bring a harness, belay device, and shoes. We require RSVP and signed waivers on all trips. Contact information, dates, times, and meeting locations are all posted on the calendar.
Most hikes are done in a day, and vary in time and terrain from 2 hours on a gentle gravel path, to 12 hours over rugged territory. But multiple day trips are possible as well. No experience is necessary, although you must bring your own hiking boots, packs, water, and snacks. Moleskin is highly recommended. We require RSVP and signed waivers on all trips. Contact information, dates, times, and meeting locations are all posted on the calendar.
| Time | Hours | Elevation Gain |
Meters | Difficulty | of Terrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 0━4 | 1 | 0━500 | a | Easy |
| B | 4━7 | 2 | 500━1000 | b | Moderate |
| C | 7━10 | 3 | 1000━1500 | c | Difficult |
| D | 10+ | 4 | 1500+ | d | Advanced |
| Easy | Easy grades, generally easy conditions for hiking/skiing |
| Moderate | Moderate grades, may have some moderate challenges |
| Difficult | Steeper grades, may have high steps, longer muddy/icy sections |
| Advanced | Steep grades and/or exposed sections. River crossings can be challenging at times. |
Some examples:
A trip that is expected to take 2 hours with an elevation gain of 400m over easy terrain would be Graded “A1a”.
A trip that is expected to take 8 hours with an elevation gain of 900m over advanced terrain would be Graded “C2d”.
In some browsers the user will need to toggle off "Prevent Cross-Site Tracking", if the calendar does not appear below.