CMC

With the first snow finally settling over the Front Range, the season of giving is officially here! As you think about the small businesses and community organizations you love, we hope you’ll consider supporting Colorado Mountain Club this Small Business Saturday.

Whether it’s grabbing film festival tickets for a night of inspiration, gifting a CMC membership to the adventurer in your life, or making a donation in someone’s honor, each choice directly strengthens our small-but-mighty nonprofit that’s been stewarding Colorado’s outdoors for more than a century.

Here are some of the most impactful ways you can support CMC this season:

Give a Movie Experience

CMC is ushering in the winter season with our season of film festivals! We're kicking off the films with Backcountry Film Festival in Golden on December 11th and 12th, Salida on January 15th, Denver on January 29th, and Leadville on February 6th. Banff Mountain Film Festival returns to Denver March 6th - 8th and tickets go on sale to the general public on December 1st. (Members: check your email for an exclusive discount code and early access!) 

Gift a CMC Membership

Be a part of growing our community. By gifting a membership, you become an integral part of Colorado Mountain Club's legacy. Each new member brings us closer to our goals of promoting responsible recreation in Colorado.

Share a CMC Press Book

Whether you’re a seasoned splitboarder, an aspiring ski mountaineer, or simply someone who loves the majesty of winter and the spirit of adventure, Colorado Mountain Club's Backcountry Film Festival promises an evening of inspiration, community, and world-class short films. Backcountry Film Festival, curated by Winter Wildlands Alliance, brings together award-winning cinematic masterpieces. You’ll be transported to remote peaks, feel the rush of untouched snow, and witness incredible feats of athleticism and resilience. From epic lines and daring expeditions to poignant stories of conservation and connection to nature, these films capture the essence of human-powered winter recreation.

All ticket proceeds from our Backcountry Film Festival screenings support Colorado Mountain Club’s Snow Rangers Program. The CMC Snow Ranger program supports the U.S. Forest Service in patrolling, visitor education, user counts, partnership development and more. “Snow Rangers are a big help with the mitigation of user conflicts and educating people at the trailhead,” explains Conservation Director Brian Bergeler. “Sometimes people aren’t aware that there are limitations on how and where they can recreate, and the Snow Rangers can prevent them from making that mistake and impacting delicate ecosystems.” Read more about the program and why it's in danger over on our blog. 

NOTE: CMC is hosting several Backcountry Film Festival screenings in Golden, Denver, Salida, and Leadville. Scroll down to see specific details for each screening location.

^{Credit: Tony Deboom @EnduranceConspiracy}

2025/2026 Dates

• Golden, CO - Get tickets for December 11th, 2025 (for backcountry beginners)
• Golden, CO - Get tickets for December 12th, 2025 (for experienced explorers)
• Salida, CO - Get tickets for January 15th, 2026
• Denver, CO - Get tickets for January 29th, 2026
• Leadville, CO - Get tickets for February 6th, 2026

GOLDEN

December 11th - Backcountry Beginners
Colorado Mountain Club Basecamp - 15605 W 32nd Ave, Golden, CO

New to the backcountry? This night is for you. Join us at the Backcountry Film Festival for an evening of inspiring films, great gear deals, and hands-on learning. Join us ahead of the films for a Happy Hour & Gear Sale starting at 5pm hosted by Out & Back along with tables from our non-profit partners and CMC schools and courses, as well a backcountry communications clinic based on Rocky Talkie's Community Channels. We'll have door prizes as well as raffle items with tickets available for purchase. Light snacks will be available for purchase and we'll be selling a variety of Sierra Nevada alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.

Schedule of Events

• 5pm: Doors open for Happy Hour & Gear Sale
• 5:30-6:30pm: Clinics start (run every 15min)
• 7-9pm: Film screening with intermission

What to Bring

• Your ticket (either printed or on your mobile device)
• Cash or card for any merchandise or refreshments available at the venue
• Water bottle (refill fountains on site)

Arrival Tips

• Free parking available, but come early to get a good spot. Carpool if you can!
• Arrive early to join clinics and participate in the gear sale.

December 12th - Experienced Explorers
Colorado Mountain Club Basecamp - 15605 W 32nd Ave, Golden, CO 80401

Already chasing lines beyond the resort? This events is built for seasoned adventurers ready to level up. Join us for an evening of powerful films, pro-level gear, and expert connections. Join us ahead of the films for a Happy Hour & Gear Sale starting at 5pm hosted by Out & Back along with tables from our non-profit partners and CMC schools and courses, as well a backcountry communications clinic based on Rocky Talkie's Community Channels. We'll have door prizes as well as raffle items with tickets available for purchase. Light snacks will be available for purchase and we'll be selling a variety of Sierra Nevada alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.

Schedule of Events

• 5pm: Doors open for Happy Hour & Gear Sale
• 5:30-6:30pm: Clinics start (run every 15min)
• 7-9pm: Film screening with intermission

What to Bring

• Your ticket (either printed or on your mobile device)
• Cash or card for any merchandise or refreshments available at the venue
• Water bottle (refill fountains on site)

Arrival Tips

• Free parking available, but come early to get a good spot. Carpool if you can!
• Arrive early to join clinics and participate in the gear sale.

CLINICS

Attend clinics to learn more about some of our winter schools, including:

• Beginner Snowshoe
• Avalanche Terrain Avoidance
• Ski Mountaineering School
• Winter Camping School
• Telemark Ski School
• AIARE 1
• Glacier Travel School
• Intermediate & Lead Ice Climbing

Our Partners

We're grateful to our event partners whose support makes Backcountry Film Festival possible:

• Alpine Rescue Team
• Friends of CAIC
• Wintering Wildlife
• Sierra Nevada

GEAR SALE

Join us for our Community Winter Gear Sale both night of Backcountry Film Festival from 5-7pm where you can sell your gently used winter sports equipment, purchase pre-loved gear from other outdoor enthusiasts, and get exclusive deals on new gear from Out and Back. Gear experts from Out and Back will evaluate and price your items on-site. Entry is included with a Backcountry Film Festival ticket, but you can also purchase a ticket only for the gear sale on the event ticket page. 

SALIDA

January 15th at Salida SteamPlant - 220 W Sackett Ave, Salida, CO

Schedule of Events

• Doors at 6PM
• Film screening at 7PM

Join us for an evening of inspiring films that honor the joy, resilience, and connection found in the backcountry. Together, we’ll celebrate the stories that fuel our love for wild places and the community that protects them.

DENVER

JANUARY 29TH AT THE ORIENTAL THEATER - 4335 W 44TH AVE, DENVER, CO

Adventure, deep powder and storytelling await. Join Winter Wildlands Alliance and Colorado Mountain Club for the 21st Annual Backcountry Film Festival at the Oriental Theater, featuring human-powered winter films, music, giveaways, drinks, community connection and more. Grab your friends and your tickets, and get ready to celebrate winter!

All proceeds support Winter Wildlands Alliance, a nationwide nonprofit organization working to empower and inspire people to protect America's wild snowscapes, and Colorado Mountain Club, a local nonprofit organization fostering connections to Colorado landscapes through community, stewardship, and outdoor education and recreation.

What to Bring

• Your ticket (either printed or on your mobile device)
• Cash or card for any merchandise or refreshments available at the venue

Arrival Tips

• Paid and free street parking available, so come early to get a good spot. Carpool if you can!

Schedule of Events

• 5:30pm – 6:30pm Pre-Party: Enjoy music, get your giveaway tickets, and reconnect with all your backcountry buddies. All kinds of drinks available at the Oriental's bar and support Winter Wildlands Alliance and Colorado Mountain Club!
• 6:30pm Films Start
• 7:30pm Intermission: Giveaway drawing.
• 8:00 pm Second film reel
• 9:00pm End of night

LEADVILLE

FEBRUARY 6TH AT FREIGHT - 320 E 9th St, Leadville, CO

Join us for an evening of inspiring films that honor the joy, resilience, and connection found in the backcountry. Together, we’ll celebrate the stories that fuel our love for wild places and the community that protects them.

THANK YOU TO THE BACKCOUNTRY FILM FESTIVAL SPONSORS FOR MAKING THIS FESTIVAL POSSIBLE:

As we lace up our boots for a brand-new year, I am thrilled to invite you to kick off the season the CMC way: with spirit, stewardship, and a shared passion for Colorado’s great outdoors. Whether you have a new year’s goal of tackling your first 14er, mastering technical skills in our schools, or simply spending more time on the trails, there is no better time than now to ignite your next great adventure.

We want to be part of your journey every step of the way, so as you head into the wild, please share your stories and photos with us with #StartYourAdventure on Instagram or by submitting them here. (Make sure you let us know where you were and what you were up to!) We’ll share them throughout the year. Don't forget to get your durable, weather-resistant CMC Colorado Flag magnet car decal to let everyone know you're a member of the club!

Your experiences are the heartbeat of this club and inspire our entire community to reach new heights. Let’s make this year an unforgettable one on the trails, together.

Happy exploring!

Dive into the extraordinary with Colorado Mountain Club from Friday, March 6th to Sunday, March 8th for a cinematic journey to the edge of the believable. Experience the world’s most daring expeditions, from scaling jagged summits to carving down vertical lines, all from the edge of your seat. The 2026 Banff Film Festival World Tour delivers a heart-pounding selection of remote explorations and elite action sports designed to inspire your next great adventure.

Every ticket purchase makes an impact, but every seat filled helps Colorado Mountain Club continue our work protecting and preserving the mountain landscapes we all love. Enjoy incredible films knowing you’re directly fueling outdoor recreation education and conservation. It’s a win for you and a win for wild places!

Be moved. Be inspired. Don’t miss out. Get your tickets early to make sure you get the best seats!

The Basics:

When (**TIME CHANGE FROM EARLIER LISTING**): March 6-8, 2026. Each screening features a different lineup of films. For the evening showings (Serac and Moraine), the films start showing at 7PM, and doors will be open at 6PM with the evening ending at 9:45PM. For the matinee showings (Icefall and Crevasse), the doors will open at 1:30PM, and the film screenings being at 2:30PM with the afternoon ending at 4:50PM. There will be a 20-minute intermission in the middle of each screening. Come early to check out our Vendor Village packed with nonprofits and partners, grab food and drinks, and meet other outdoor enthusiasts!

Location: Stockyards Event Center - 5004 National Western Drive Denver, CO 80216. 

Traffic Advisory: The area can be busy during events! Please allow extra travel time.

Parking: FREE parking is available at the Stockyards Event Center lot, courtesy of the Colorado Lottery. On-site parking attendants will guide you when you arrive. 

Public Transportation Options: There is an RTD stop near the Stockyards Event Center, but there isn’t an easy way to access it. Rideshare is recommended. 

Food/Drinks: There will be a cash/card bar and a small selection of food available for purchase.  

What’s Playing: Each night features a different set of films. Click the series name to see the lineup each night:

MARCH 6 - SERAC (Watch Trailer)

MARCH 7 - ICEFALL (Watch Trailer)

MARCH 7 - MORAINE (Watch Trailer)

MARCH 8 - CREVASSE (Watch Trailer)

Special Guests:

• March 6 - Serac: Kharis Eppstein with Alpine Search and Rescue
• March 7 - Icefall: Elevate Conservation
• March 8 - Crevasse: Tory Powers with Road to Bayanihan

THANK YOU TO OUR VENDORS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS, AND SPONSORS:

• Friends of CAIC
• Rab
• American Alpine Club
• MountainSmith
• Colorado Search and Rescue
• The Colorado Sun
• Signe Hanson
• Leave No Trace
• DU/ER
• Beacon Guidebooks
• CMC Risk Management School
• CMC Technical Climbing School
• CMC Wilderness Trekking School
• CMC Wilderness Survival School
• CMC Youth Programs
• Out&Back
• Lost Range
• LMNT
• Tailwind
• Burton

The wait is over! The Colorado Mountain Club Spring/Summer 2026 Course Catalog is officially here. Whether you’re looking to master wilderness navigation, learn how to tackle any backpacking trip, or dive into alpine rock climbing, now is the time to secure your spot.

Click the cover below to browse the course listings and sign up to make sure you have the skills you need to crush your summer goals.

BROWSE THE SPRING/SUMMER '26 COURSE CATALOG