Alpine club hut

Although the usual English translation of Hütte is "hut", most of them are substantial buildings designed to accommodate and feed significant numbers of hikers and climbers and to withstand harsh high alpine conditions for decades.

Although fundamentally all those involved in mountain activities have access to the huts, preferential service is given to members of the Alpine clubs.

These include: reduced accommodation rates, mountaineer's meals, hot water for tea, the right to provide one's own food and alcohol-free drink (sometimes for a nominal fee).

The Alpine Club of Canada operates the largest network of back-country accommodation in North America.

Its network of 25 alpine club huts are scattered across Canada, predominantly throughout the Canadian Rockies.