Want to take your skills to the next level and get out into the mountains in winter - at a discount? Our subsidised courses in Wales are for you.

Only ever hill walked in summer before? Welcome to big school.

When the snow falls, it's fun out there in winter. Even diminutive British mountains take on a majestic Alpine appearance. But while the scenic pay-off increases, so do the challenges and potential hazards. Going into the mountains where snow and ice is lying requires specific equipment, skills, knowledge and awareness over and above those used in summer hill walking, and the consequences of making errors can be much more serious.

That's where our Winter Skills in Wales courses for BMC members come in. They aim to equip you with all the skills you need to move confidently in the hills in winter, and what's more, they are subsidised by Sport England, so you get all the know-how for less.

The two key focuses on this two day course, part of our Active Outdoors range, are navigation and security on winter terrain. You will be out on the hill each day where winter navigation skills, use of ice axe and crampons, terrain and route choice, and winter equipment selection will be covered.

No previous experience of winter hillwalking is necessary. However, you should have some summer hillwalking experience and as winter days can be strenuous, a reasonable level of fitness is important.

The Welsh winter can be fickle, and snow and ice conditions cannot be guaranteed. Throughout the course there will be a flexible approach to the programme to make the best possible use of the prevailing conditions. If there is no snow the course will still run.

See course dates and book through the Plas y Brenin website here.

READ MORE: Essential winter know-how

• Essential winter know-how: Heading for the hills this winter? Whether you're a seasoned winter warrior or just taking your first icy steps, we've got a mountain of essential skills and equipment advice for you right here on the BMC website.

• How I learned to stop worrying and love winter: Carey Davies always hated winter. Then one day, faced with a bad step on the side of a Scottish mountain, something clicked…

• Ten mistakes winter walkers make: and how to avoid them: Only ever hill walked in summer before? Welcome to big school. Here’s your heads-up to some of the most common winter walking mistakes and how to steer clear of them.

WATCH ON BMC TV: If They Only Knew: A film about the joys of the winter mountains

BMC Winter Essentials DVD trailer on BMC TV:

How to do an ice axe self arrest on BMC TV:

The BMC's Winter Essentials DVD shows the essential skills and techniques for winter mountaineering. Order it in the BMC shop here.

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