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Welcome!

Welcome to Plas y Brenin, The National Mountain Sports Centre.

As one of Sport England's three National Centres, Plas y Brenin is based in Snowdonia, North Wales.

Our incredible location allows us to run a year round programme of mountain sports and outdoor activities catering for every level of competence, experience and ability.

Plas y Brenin is managed by The Mountain Training Trust (MTT) on behalf of Sport England. As a registered Charity MTT is committed to ensuring any surplus generated is channelled directly back into mountain sport and providing the best possible opportunities at the most affordable price.
Personal Skills (Land)

Get started or improve your skills on the trails, hills, crags or mountains

Mountain Lifestyle

Adventure Sports

Hillwalking & Navigation

Scrambling & Mountaineering

Rock
Climbing

Alpine Mountaineering

Mountain Biking

Road Cycling

First Aid Courses

Welsh Winter Mountaineering

Scottish Winter Mountaineering

Off Piste Skiing & Ski Touring

Rapid Development Clinics

Staying with us for a four week Rapid Development Clinic and you'll receive coaching and instruction Monday to Friday, leaving you free to either rest or explore the mountains, crags and sea cliffs of North Wales under your own steam at the weekends. (This all-inclusive course includes seven-day-a-week accommodation on-site at Plas y Brenin). With no previous experience necessary this programme is an ideal opportunity for anyone who's always wanted to be a climber or a mountaineer who can devote a month as part of an extended holiday or career break. Find out more
Personal Skills (Water)

Take your first steps or develop your outdoor skills on the lakes, rivers or sea

Adventure Sports

Kayaking

Sea Kayaking

Canoeing

White Water Safety & Rescue

Rapid Development Clinics

Staying with us for a four week Rapid Development Clinic and you'll receive coaching and instruction Monday to Friday, leaving you free to either rest or explore the rivers, lakes and coastal waters of North Wales under your own steam at the weekends. (This all-inclusive course includes seven-day-a-week accommodation on-site at Plas y Brenin). With no previous experience necessary this programme is an ideal opportunity for anyone who's always wanted to be a paddler who can devote a month as part of an extended holiday or career break. Find out more

Free Kayak, Sea Kayak Or Canoe Hire On All Our Paddling Courses

When you come on a canoeing or kayaking course or holiday with us, you can borrow a kayak, canoe, paddle, helmet, spraydeck and any other kit you need free of charge. What's more, you can try out loads of boats to find out what suits you best. We have a huge range of the latest kayaks, sea kayaks and canoes in our fleet and you are welcome to try any of them. Find out more about our kayak and canoe fleet here.
Families

Courses & Holidays For Families, Kids and Parents

Family Adventure Holidays

Young Persons Academy
(12-17 years)

Courses For Outdoor Parents

Taster Days

Duke Of Edinburgh's Award Gold

Bespoke Enquiries

Self Catering Accommodation

Our self catering accommodation units make a great destination for a family holiday in the mountains. Moelwyn and Bryn Engan Cottage both sleep up to 16 people in a warm, clean, comfortable bunkhouse style arrangement. If you'd rather be a little more upmarket Bryn Engan Farmhouse has 12 single, en-suite rooms and every home comfort you could wish for. You can add on activities and catered meals as you desire. Find out more here.
Leadership & Coaching

Courses For Instructors, Coaches and Leaders In The Outdoors

Mountain Leadership

Climbing
Coaching

Mountain Bike Leadership

First Aid Courses

Kayak
Coaching

Canoe
Coaching

Sea Kayak Coaching

W.W. Safety & Rescue

Orienteering Coaching

Expedition Leadership

Duke Of Edinburgh's Award

Bespoke Leadership &
Coaching Courses

Fast Track Instructor Scheme

Every year we are host to a team of committed individuals who have set their hearts on becoming outdoor instructors. Our Fast Track Insturctor trainees spend four months here at The National Mountain Centre learning from experts in every field, leaving us with a new career and a new direction.Think you'd like to join the Fast Track Scheme? Find out more here.
Groups

Breaks & Activities and For Groups

Adventure Experiences

Taster Days

Team Development

Bespoke Enquiries

Accommodation For Groups

Our self catering accommodation units make a highly affordable destination for your group adventures. Moelwyn and Bryn Engan Cottage both sleep up to 16 people in a warm, clean, comfortable bunkhouse style arrangement. If you'd rather move upmarket Bryn Engan Farmhouse has 12 single, en-suite rooms and every home comfort you could wish for. You can add on meals, activities, and conference facilities as you desire. Find out more here.
Resources
Free Advice & Information
Last Minute Deals

Keep an eye on our Packed & Ready page for some amazing last minute deals. Huge Bargains, but you'll need your bags packed because these offers are truly last minuteCheck out the deals

Last minute offers on our self catering accommodation units. Keep an ey eon this page and secure you and your mates a late break bargain deal Check out the deals
Info
General Information & Other Stuff
Last Minute Deals

Keep an eye on our Packed & Ready page for some amazing last minute deals. Huge Bargains, but you'll need your bags packed because these offers are truly last minuteCheck out the deals

Last minute offers on our self catering accommodation units. Keep an eye on this page and secure you and your mates a late break bargain deal Check out the deals

The Fast Track Instructor Scheme

If you would like to develop a career in the outdoors, our new fast track training programme could provide the ideal launch pad.
Over this intensive and exciting four-month training period you will work towards a clutch of National Governing Body Awards, gather a huge amount of experience and develop your personal skills.
What is more, when you leave you will take with you the respect and recognition that comes with having been trained at the National Mountain Centre
Rubbing shoulders with the instructors, you will stay in on-site accommodation seven days a week at Plas y Brenin, even though your course only runs Monday to Friday. That way you will be free to either join in with other courses taking place at the weekends or simply go climbing or paddling with your new-found friends at the National Mountain Centre. What is more, you will enjoy three hearty meals a day, overlooking Snowdon in our scenic dining room.

During this intensive and exciting course you will receive personal skills training in kayaking, open canoeing, hill and mountain walking, rock climbing, first aid, orienteering and risk awareness and hazard management.
As part of a personalised programme, you may complete coaching and leadership training courses for the following depending on your own experience and pre-requirements:

To help streamline your career development even further, our staff will be able to guide you through registration with each of the necessary national governing bodies helping you to understand the progression and pre-requirements for each scheme.
You will also be able to pick up plenty of advice and guidance from our staff during your stay.
And, provided you meet the pre-requirements, you will have the opportunity to attend assessment courses for any of the above. Along with the structured course content there will be many opportunities to gather valuable work and personal-skills experience and career advice from those around you.
This course is also ideal for anyone who is either taking a career break or works in the outdoors industry overseas and would like to develop a rich awareness of UK legislation, structure and good practice.