How to train novice members in your club, winter skills

Posted by Jane Thompson on 01/08/2023

This popular training event offering training and support to experienced club members who take less experienced club members out in winter conditions will be returning in 2024.

This popular training event will be returning in 2024 (weekend tbc) 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

NB due to weather conditions the content on each day is subject to change

Booking your place here

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 = £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.

NB You must be a current member of a BMC-affiliated club to attend this course

NB It is expected that all participants are competent in the skills appropriate to the practical sessions.

IMPORTANT: This course will not cover ice climbing skills.

If you like the sound of this course you may be interested in the 'summer' version where we cover rock climbing, hillwalking and scrambling - click here for more information

What is "Plas y Brenin"? - It is the National Mountain Sports 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

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.