How to train novice club members in winter skills | Club training weekend
This popular training event offers support to experienced club members who take less experienced club members out in winter conditions.
This popular training event offers support to experienced club members who take less experienced club members out in winter conditions. The event will be returning in early 2025
2025 date to be confirmed
This training event takes place at Plas y Brenin in Eryri (Snowdonia) to offer training and support to experienced club members who take less-experienced club members out in winter conditions.
Costing only £85 for the weekend, this course is for the experienced members of affiliated clubs who support novice members whilst they gain experience, develop skills, and become competent in winter walking and mountaineering skills.
Many clubs offer training sessions with experienced club members instructing novice members. This may be on a formal basis at specific training meets or informally at any club meet, and whilst it is not necessary for club members to hold any formal qualifications in order to deliver training to other club members, some may wish to be better informed on current good practice.
This weekend will include theory sessions on the principles of teaching and learning skills specific to winter conditions, the planning of training days, issues around duty of care and minimising risk, avalanche awareness and winter navigation all delivered by experts in their field. The majority of the sessions will be delivered in a practical setting so expect to head outdoors on both days.
Saturday
- Minimising the risk & the insurance protection
- Session structuring for novices
- Teaching movement in winter conditions
- Planning a day out in winter conditions
- Winter navigation
- Avalanche Awareness
Sunday
- Out on the hills putting the skills covered on Saturday in to practice
More information
The price include all instruction, group equipment, free parking on site or free transfers from Llandudno Junction station, tea and cakes after the practical session on Saturday & Sunday plus a three-course meal on the Saturday evening. The accommodation is for Friday and Saturday night on a self-catering basis in the bunkhouse at PyB.
Total cost for the weekend is £85. This rate is significantly subsidised by the BMC.
En-suite rooms may be available in the main house for you to book if you would prefer private accommodation - please contact PyB directly to do this (www.pyb.co.uk / 01690 720214). The weekend fee is the same regardless of whether you chose overnight accommodation elsewhere.
Plas Y Brenin is the National Outdoor Centre at Capel Curig in Eryri (Snowdonia). The centre specialises in providing training in mountaineering, mountain biking and paddling for individuals wishing to progress their personal skills and for those who wish to move along the instructor pathway. For more information about the centre please check out www.pyb.co.uk.
Please note
Due to weather conditions the content on each day is subject to change
It is expected that all participants are competent in the skills appropriate to the practical sessions
You must be a current member of a BMC-affiliated club to attend this course
This course will not cover ice climbing skills
Places on this course are not guaranteed until payment has been received.
Cancellations within 14 days of the course starting will not be eligible for a refund.
Cancellations 15-28 days prior to the course starting will get a 50% refund.
Cancellations more than 28 days prior to the course starting get a full refund.
In case of cancellation we can sometimes transfer your booking to another course if you wish and there is space.
If the course is cancelled by the BMC a full refund will be offered or the option to transfer your booking on to another course, whichever you prefer.
For queries about this programme contact Jane Thompson via email or phone: clubs@thebmc.co.uk / 07885 910606
If you like the sound of this course you may be interested in the 'summer' version where we cover rock climbing, hillwalking and scrambling:
CLUB WORKSHOP: Training novice club members
WATCH: A look inside a club member workshop
Related Content
Clubs
This is a BMC webinar for all clubs to understand the BMC membership benefit of Combined Liability Insurance and how it supports the committee and other club volunteers.
Clubs
This is a BMC webinar for student climbing, hill walking and mountaineering clubs to discuss how to get the best relationship between their club and Student Union and will be focussing on sharing issues and solutions.
Clubs
We’ve selected ten university locations in England and Wales to take a closer look at that are considered good or even ‘the best’ for climbers and walkers. Some are listed for their proximity to crags, hills and mountains and others for their specialised outdoors courses.
Indoor Climbing Articles
Not sure which training method to choose? Or how to fuel you body? Come along to our new workshop to learn best how to periodise your training, or those you may coach, to greatest effect.
Indoor Climbing Articles
BMC FUNdamentals of climbing 3 is a course developed by Katherine Schirrmacher and Tom Randall.
Indoor Climbing Articles
This workshop is for any climber or coach wishing to further their knowledge of physical training.
Indoor Climbing Articles
If you want to learn about the fundamentals of route setting, then we've got the workshop for you.
Indoor Climbing Articles
For all climbing coaches, this workshop is delivered by the BMC, Plas y Brenin, Mountaineering Ireland and the Mountaineering Scotland.
Clubs
This is the contents page for all articles for clubs regarding GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
Rock Climbing
A look at when you do, and don't, need hillwalking qualifications, and what training is available for professionals and individuals wanting to improve their skills.
Indoor Climbing Articles
Check out our coaching children workshop for those who regularly work with young people aged between 6 and 18?
Organisation
This popular training event is for experienced members of BMC-affiliated club to learn about training novices in climbing, scrambling and hill walking.
Clubs
The BMC Student Safety Seminar is for any students who are involved in running a climbing, hill walking or mountaineering club at their University. Find out about this seminar.
Huts
Climbing and mountaineering clubs have huts in locations across the England and Wales, including the Lake District, Yorkshire, the Peak District, North and Mid Wales and Cornwall. But what is it like to stay in a hut?
Indoor Climbing Articles
For all climbing coaches, this workshop is delivered by the BMC and Mountaineering Scotland. This workshop forms part of the training pathway for Mountain Training's Climbing Coach award.