Mountain Skills Week Course
Learn the fundamental skills for moving over hills and mountains in this five–day Mountain Skills Course in Eryri (Snowdonia). Combining practical navigation, mountain awareness, route planning, scrambling, and decision-making, this course provides a solid foundation for a lifetime of rewarding adventures in the outdoors.
Throughout the week, you’ll be guided by highly qualified and experienced instructors who will help you build confidence, develop practical mountain skills, and become more self-sufficient in upland environments. Whether you’re preparing for future Mountain Training qualifications or simply want to enjoy the mountains safely, this course is an ideal step in your journey.
Who Is It For?
This course is ideal for:
- Hillwalkers looking to improve their mountain skills and navigation
- Those new to mountain environments
- Walkers preparing for more challenging routes and scrambles
- Individuals considering future qualifications such as the Hill and Moorland Leader or Mountain Leader awards
- Anyone wanting to gain confidence in planning and undertaking their own mountain adventures
While this course can provide useful preparation for leadership qualifications, the focus is firmly on developing personal mountain skills rather than group leadership.
Mountain Skills Week – Course Format
The Mountain Skills week is flexible so that we get the most learning out of the prevailing weather conditions. As a rough outline, the course will start with the essential hill and mountain skills of navigation and learning how to look after ourselves in the uplands. After two days of covering the basics, we venture onto longer walks and easy scrambles to explore the best of the mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia).
A normal day is from 09:00 to 16:30 ish
Day 1 Following introductions, we will look at some of the theory of navigation before heading out on a local walk to practice these skills and learn about essential equipment, upland weather and the environment.
Day 2 We practice our navigation and general mountain skills on a short day journey.
Day 3 After discussions about the weather, we make a plan that will involve putting all the skills we have learnt on a longer day journey that may include some scrambling.
Day 4 Equipped with the basic skills for the mountains, we tackle one of the iconic scrambles for which the area is renowned. Focusing on personal movement skills. We also take a brief look at the use of a rope for safety.
Day 5 We use all the skills we have learnt and undertake a longer mountain scramble, making the most of what Eryri (Snowdonia) has to offer. On completion, we make sure that all the learning from the Mountain skills course is reviewed and that an action plan is in place for you to develop your skills to achieve your personal ambitions before dispersing.
Course Details
- Location: Eryri (Snowdonia)
- Cost: £425
- Duration: 5 days
- Ratio: 1:6
- Level: Introduction
More Information
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Course Dates
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Bespoke Dates and Locations
If there are no dates that are suitable for your Mountain Skills course and you want to learn some mountain skills, please contact the office, and we will arrange some dates and a location to suit your diary.
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Meeting Point
The Mountain Skills week will meet at 9 am at Cobdens Hotel in Capel Curig in Eryri (Snowdonia).
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Equipment Required
You need hill walking equipment sufficient to enjoy five days in the mountains. Good waterproofs and robust boots are essential.
A full kit list, including some recommendations for equipment, is contained in the Mountain Skills joining instructions, which we send you after you have booked.
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Fitness Level
You require sufficient fitness to spend several days walking in challenging terrain.
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Accommodation Options
Our Mountain skills courses are normally non-residential to allow you to select between a thermarest or a 5-star hotel as you require.
Accommodation options are listed on our Accommodation page.
We run the course from Cobden’s Hotel in Capel Curig and recommend you stay there. If you speak directly to Jill, the owner, accommodation discounts are usually available if you have booked a course with us.
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FAQs
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How Do I Book the Mountain Skills Course?
The best way to book your Mountain Skills course is via this webpage. Choose the date from the options above and then submit your booking and pay.
For bespoke Mountain Skills courses or other events in the mountains, get in touch first so we can check our diaries and, if required, give you a quote. Get in touch by either calling the office on 01142 631 155 or emailing us.
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How Much Does a Mountain Skills Course Cost?
The Mountain Skills Course costs £425 per person for five days of expert instruction in Snowdonia (Eryri). Current pricing and available dates can be found above.
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Do I Need Previous Mountain Experience?
No. This is an introductory mountain skills course that is designed for walkers who want to develop their confidence and competence in hill and mountain environments. Some regular walking experience is beneficial, but no technical skills are required.
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What’s the Difference Between Mountain Skills and Mountain Leader?
The Mountain Skills Course focuses on developing personal competence in the hills and mountains, helping you safely undertake your own adventures.
Mountain Leader is a qualification that prepares candidates to lead groups in mountain terrain and requires significantly more prior experience.
