MEC

Give back to winter

Join MEC x POW Canada for our annual Season Opener – an all-out celebration to welcome winter.

We’re excited to welcome you in-store for a show-stopping lineup of films, pro athlete chats, epic prizes, and drinks (by donation) from GURU and local brewery sponsors.

Everyone is welcome – we can’t wait to see you there!

In partnership with

Event details

We’re hosting Season Opener events at four locations. Tickets are just $15 and all proceeds go to Protect Our Winters Canada.

MEC Vancouver
October 23
Doors: 7:30pm
Show starts: 8:00pm
111 2nd Ave East, Vancouver

MEC Montreal
October 27
Doors: 7:00pm
Show starts: 7:30pm
8989 de l'Acadie Boulevard, Montreal

MEC Toronto
October 30
Doors: 7:30pm
Show starts: 8:00pm
300 Queen Street West, Toronto

MEC Calgary
November 2
Doors: 7:00pm
Show starts: 8:00pm
Note: new event location
Commonwealth Bar & Stage, 731 10 Ave SW, Calgary (just a half a block down the street from the MEC Calgary store)

Films

An Imperfect Advocate

Film Synopsis: In the rarified air of the world’s wildest mountains, alpinist Graham Zimmerman has seen firsthand the effects of human-driven climate change on the world. He has seen glaciers recede, winters become shorter, and weather patterns become more volatile. As his eyes have been opened to the irreversible damage that humans are doing to the planet, he has been forced to acknowledge that he is complicit in destroying these places that he loves. Despite his own carbon footprint, Graham decides that he must take action and joins Protect Our Winters, an advocacy group that enlists him in the fight against Climate Change. In doing so, he starts down the path of advocacy in an increasingly turbulent world. A world that will challenge him in many ways, not least of all, by asking if he can accept his imperfections to become an effective advocate.

Sunbirds

Film Synopsis: The sunbird, a unique species of person you've probably never heard of, spreads its wings over the mountainous backcountry and snowy coastline of the Gaspé Peninsula. These creatures live in feverish anticipation of the long, dizzying nights and crystal-clear days of winter. Descending the rocky capes of the Chic-Chocs and sculpting the immaculate snow of the Gaspé coast, they bring winter back to life, telling its story through their presence in its mystical expanses. This cinematic ode to winter is a reflection on the importance of protecting nature and re-evaluating our presence within it.

Climate change chat and athlete panel

Want to become a climate advocate but don’t know where to start? We’ve mobilized our friends at POW Canada, pro mountain athletes, ambassadors, and outdoor industry professionals to lend their voice to a national movement for climate action. Together we’ll discuss climate advocacy, the effects of climate change in the local mountains and snowpack, and the power of community in creating change.

Expect an hour of laughs, climate change chats, and stoke for all things snow.

Epic prizes and silent auction

Your chance to win the latest ski gear and backcountry experience (if you’ve ever been to one of our events, you know our raffles are jam-packed).

Raffle prizes

Your event ticket automatically gets you entered into the raffle – and it’s pretty huge. We’ll have lots of gear giveaways, along with epic grand prizes per location:

Vancouver grand prize:

  • One-day guided backcountry ski/board adventure for you and 5 friends, with Elevation Guides
  • $250 MEC gift card, to help you gear up for your adventure

Montreal grand prize:

  • One-day guided backcountry ski/board adventure for you and 5 friends, with Mount Edouard
  • $250 MEC gift card, to help you gear up for your adventure

Toronto grand prize:

  • Lift tickets at Blue Mountain for you and 5 friends
  • $250 MEC gift card, to help you gear up for your adventure

Calgary grand prize:

  • One-day guided backcountry ski/board adventure for you and 5 friends, with Elevation Guides
  • $250 MEC gift card, to help you gear up for your adventure

Want more chances to win? Additional raffle tickets are available for purchase at the event.

Silent auction package

We've teamed up with our friends at Arc'teryx to provide you with the ultimate winter kit, which will be up for silent auction at the event:

All proceeds from the raffle and silent auction will be donated to POW Canada, in their efforts to address climate change.

About POW Canada

Protect Our Winters Canada is a passionate community of outdoor enthusiasts, professional athletes, and industry brands uniting the outdoor community to address climate change. We believe our love of adventure in nature demands our participation in the fight to save and protect it.

Join POW Canada today and be a part of one of the world’s fastest-growing climate and environmental advocacy global alliances today.

You can also donate directly to POW and receive a tax receipt. However, donating through this link does not give you access to the event – it’s for donations above and beyond your ticket purchase.

Get your tickets now

MEC, POW and Arc'teryx logos