How to train novice club members in winter skills | Club training weekend

This popular winter training weekend, returning February 2026, supports experienced BMC club members who take out less-experienced members in winter conditions. Held at Plas y Brenin in Snowdonia, the course costs £95 and is designed for those helping novices develop skills in winter walking and mountaineering.

The weekend includes expert-led theory and practical sessions covering teaching and learning, planning training days, duty of care, risk management, avalanche awareness, and winter navigation. Most sessions are practical, so participants should be ready to head outdoors.

When and where?

When: Friday 6th February - Sunday 8th February 2026

Where: Plas y Brenin, Capel Curig, Betws-y-Coed LL24 0ET

What topics are covered over the weekend?

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

What's covered in the price?

Total cost for the weekend is £95. This rate is significantly subsidised by the BMC and includes:

• All instruction

• Group equipment

• Bunkhouse-style accommodation on site on Friday and Saturday nights

• Breakfast on Saturday & Sunday mornings

• Tea and cakes after the practical sessions on Saturday & Sunday

• Evening meal on the Saturday evening.

• Free parking on site

Not included:

• Personal kit – it is expected that you will provide your own winter kit for the sessions out on the hills

• Evening meal on Friday - meals can be purchased from the PyB Bar (use your BMC member discount!).

• Lunches – packed lunches can be purchased from PyB

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) and remember to ask about the BMC member discount! 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-registered 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