Swiss Alpine Club SAC

The Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) is about more than just mountain sports. This is why a commitment to culture and the environment is firmly embedded in the SAC’s values.

Since its foundation in 1863, the SAC has played a key role in shaping the development of the Alpine region and alpinism. It brings together people interested in the mountains and promotes mountain sports to the general public. The SAC operates and maintains 152 mountain huts with over 8,000 beds, providing essential infrastructure for mountain travellers and offering exceptional experiences in mountain tourism. The SAC is also committed to the sustainable development and preservation of the mountain world, as well as mountain-related culture.

As part of its active cultural commitment, the SAC organises the SAC Art Prize every few years and hosts a contemporary art exhibition dealing with the theme of mountains every five to seven years. The 2025 SAC Art Exhibition, ‘Passage’, showcases art on the Gemmi Pass and invites visitors to embark on an immersive journey between Sunnbüel (Kandersteg) and the Gemmi Pass (Leukerbad), blending history, nature and art. The SAC founded the ALPS (Alpine Museum of Switzerland) in 1905 and is involved in festivals and other cultural events, such as the Bergfahrt Festival Bergün, FIFAD and BergBuchBrig.

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