The IFMGA, founded in 1965 by guides from Austria, France, Switzerland and Italy, is the international umbrella for mountain guide associations from more than 20 countries in Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania, representing a total of almost 7.000 guides. Each national association represents all of that country’s mountain guides who are qualified according to IFMGA guidelines.

Aims of the federation:

• Regulate the mountain guide profession at a global scale
• Represent the interests of the mountain guiding profession to governments
• Support standardized laws and regulations for the mountain guide profession
• Determine mandatory international training standards
• Implement reciprocal acceptance of IFMGA qualification
• Support free professional activity for mountain guides
• Support existing national mountain guides associations and develop new ones
• Provide services and assistance for mountain guides

The IFMGA was founded in 1965 by Italy, France, Austria and Switzerland.

National associations joined or were suspended in the following order:

• 1969 - Germany
• 1973 - Canada
• 1976 - South Tyrol
• 1977 - Great Britain
• 1981 - New Zealand
• 1982 - Norway
• 1990 - Peru
• 1991 - Japan
• 1994 - Spain
• 1996 - Slovakia
• 1997 - Slovenia
• 1997 - Sweden
• 1997 - USA
• 2000 - Poland
• 2004 - Bolivia (First country without skiing; the ENSA in Chamonix is currently responsible for training.)
• 2005 - Argentina and Greece. (Greece must train for skiing and high alpine tours under supervision in the Alps)
• 2006 - Czech Republic
• 2009 - Greece’s membership is suspended due to a lack of training
• 2011 - The five Greek mountain guides join another national association and must attend a further education course there in order to keep their international certification
• 2012 - Nepal can be admitted as a member. 24 mountain guides have got the IFMGA certification.
• 2017 - Ecuador