The Federation of Mountain Clubs of British Columbia was initially established in 1962 as the Mountain Access Society. In 1972 the organization incorporated under the Society Act as the Federation of Mountain Clubs of British Columbia (FMCBC).
The FMCBC acts as umbrella organization representing the needs and interests of outdoor clubs dedicated to protecting and maintaining self-propelled, non-motorized access to British Columbia’s backcountry. The organization’s main functions include supporting member clubs, trail maintenance and trail building, public outdoor educational programming, and advocacy efforts in support of preserving and maintaining access to the backcountry. In addition, the organization publishes educational materials on backcountry access and, in 1987, purchased several parcels of land in Squamish, British Columbia, to hold in trust for the use of the rock-climbing community.
In 2003 the educational programming arm of the FMCBC, known as the Canada West Mountain School (CWMS) was sold by the organization to a private owner, who still operates the school today. In 2012, the FMCBC began a grant program for the benefit of member clubs within the organization. In 2018, the organization significantly revised its bylaws and reduced its Board of Directors. The current board consists of a President, Treasurer, Secretory, and five Directors from various member clubs. The FMCBC is a member of the Outdoor Recreation Council of British Columbia, Leave No Trace Canada, and the Canadian Avalanche Association.