Courses, workshops and training with the BMC
There are a range of courses, lectures, workshops and training opportunities that the BMC organises to bring the best value possible to its members. The details below will give you a flavour of what is on offer and each has a link to another page which contains more details and booking information for the event.
Getting youths into the outdoors
The BMC has teams up with the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI) to offer one-day outdoor sessions in areas of England and Wales. These compliment the two-day Rock Skills courses offered through Mountain Training.
Sport climbing for young people
Already leading at the wall and want to learn how to sport climb outside?. These courses are open to 11-17 year olds who are confidently leading on indoor climbing walls and are designed to teach you what you need to know to safely climb bolted routes outside.
Trad climbing for young people
With our trad climbing courses for 11-17 year olds you can learn some key skills for climbing outside. The courses aim at giving young people the skills needed to progress to traditionally protected rock climbs.
Rock skills
Get the skills you need to become a confident, independent climber on one of these Mountain Training courses. The minimum age for attendance is 12 and there are four courses. Registration is free for U18s. Course prices are set by the provider.
Hill & mountain skills
Get the skills you need to become a confident, independent walker on one of these Mountain Training courses. The minimum age for attendance is 12 and there are two courses: Hill Skills & Mountain skills. Registration is free for U18s . Course prices are set by the provider.
Improve your skills courses
Ready to Rock Courses
Ready to Rock courses are designed to help indoor climbers make their first moves onto rock by having a fun day out as well as covering the use of some key skills and equipment. These are for people aged 18 or older.
Womens Ready to Rock Courses
Women Ready to Rock courses are designed to help women who are indoor climbers make their first moves onto rock by having a fun day out as well as covering the use of some key skills and equipment. These are for people aged 18 or older.
Route Setting Workshop
For anyone new to setting or who already sets at climbing walls, the workshop is appropriate for a wide range of people, including teachers who want to set problems to teach different techniques, coaches seeking to widen their skills and climbing wall staff. The workshop is very practical in nature, with participants setting grade specific problems and traverses.
BMC/BMMS Mountain Medicine Weekend
A weekend of mountain medicine workshops for anyone who would like to learn more about first aid on the hills, mountains and crags. Workshops will look at altitude illness, use of hyperbaric bags, frostbite prevention and treatment, first aid kits, hand injuries, foot care, trips in the Covid Era and more.
Coaches and Instructors
Coach education & fundamentals courses
The BMC coach education workshops are aimed at anyone who is considering coaching climbing, or who already coaches or leads climbing sessions, indoors or outside. They also form part of Mountain Training's coaching award. Whether you're a parent or youth worker, a full-time climbing coach, a SPA or CWA award holder or an MIA / MIC working out on our high mountain crags, or guiding in the Alps, these workshops will be useful to you.
Mountaineering instructor qualifications
An introduction to the qualifications administered by Mountain Training for walking, climbing and mountaineering leaders, instructors and coaches.
Club leader, officer & committee member training courses
How to train your club novice members: winter
This popular training series is aimed at experienced members of affiliated clubs which accept novices and who wish to support these members whilst they gain experience, develop skills, and become competent climbers, walkers and mountaineers in their own right.
How to train your club novice members: climbing, hillwalking & scrambling
This popular training series is aimed at experienced members of affiliated clubs which accept novices and who wish to support these members whilst they gain experience, develop skills, and become competent climbers, walkers and mountaineers in their own right.
Student safety & good practice seminar
This seminar is a must if you're involved in running a student climbing, hill walking or mountaineering club. It gives university club members the opportunity to improve their club practices and ensure safer enjoyment of our cliffs and mountains. The weekend, held in early October every year, comprises a mixture of lectures, discussions and practical workshops.
Training days for club committee members
Run across the UK, usually in the Autumn and Winter, these courses are for committee members, club officers and leaders within BMC-affiliated clubs. There is no charge to attend (and lunch is provided!) and you will cover a variety of topics such as support from the BMC, insurance and liability, accessing funding, and recruiting members.