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Frequently Asked Questions
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You can book online or by post/fax. But you must fill in one booking form for every person coming on a course. Places on a course can only be reserved by sending a booking form by one of these methods along with payment.
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| This is payable 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the course. In the event that the balance is not paid we will treat the booking as cancelled by the client and offer the course place for re-sale. |
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| Yes. The whole course fee is required to reserve a place for any booking made within 8 weeks of the commencement of the course. |
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| We offer discounted courses through the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. You need to apply on a specific booking form. These can be found on the pdf download on the web. |
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| Yes. Sign up for our regular e-mail newsletter and we can keep you updated on our exclusive offers. Here you will find information about additional courses run here at PYB. |
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| Yes, all major credit cards are accepted, except Amex, as well as cheques. We do not make bookings over the phone as we must receive a signed booking form, but you can book online using your credit card. |
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| All cancellations must be in writing. They will be dealt with as stated in the terms and conditions of booking. |
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| Non residential means instruction only. You will need to provide your own meals and accommodation. |
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| Whilst every attempt is made to ensure the advertised courses actually run, PYB will notify the client of cancellation as soon as practicable where it believes on reasonable grounds that cancellation is necessary due to unsuitable conditions for the course activity. |
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| We will notify you not less than 5 days prior to the commencement of the course. In the event of a cancellation clients will be offered the choice of either a full refund of the course fee paid or another course on different dates. |
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| We strongly recommend you take out insurance against cancellation and curtailment of your course and accident and personal injury. Details of the insurance policy we offer are listed in our brochures or on the web. This policy is available for all activities organised by PYB within the UK and is open to UK residents only. |
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| You must organise your own cover for overseas courses or for UK courses if you are not a UK resident. |
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| The premium is non refundable or transferable and should be paid at the time of booking. |
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| Some people will have their own insurance policy in place and will not want the cover we offer. If this is the case please acknowledge this by completing the insurance opt out in the booking form. |
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Your room (normally shared) and full board unless we specifically state self catering or non-residential.
All rooms are equipped with tea and coffee making facilities, soap and towels. Many rooms are twin bedded with en suite.
Use of specialist technical equipment and clothing.
All course transport. All instruction.
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| Our building is an old coaching inn modified and extended over many years. It has been adapted to give access to wheelchairs with 4 ensuite bedrooms on the ground floor and access to the main public areas of the centre. |
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| All course dates shown are inclusive activity days e.g. if your course is shown as 20-24 May you should arrive on the evening of May 19th (Rooms will not be available until 8pm). No set meal is provided on this first evening, bar meals are available until 9pm. |
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| Yes. This is not included in the course fee. If you are travelling by rail we operate a pick up service on the evening before your course starts from Llandudno Junction and we drop off here. Details are included in the joining instructions, which will be sent to you when you book. You must let us know in advance if you want to use this free service. |
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| We occasionally get requests from students who would like information about others attending courses so that they can arrange to share transport. As a matter of policy we do not give out names and address. Please check out the transport message board on our website where you may be able to arrange car sharing. |
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The course literature will explain if you need to be a member of a specific NGB. You must organise and pay for your own registration.
You do not need to be a NGB member for non-qualification courses. |
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No. Your first meal at PYB will be breakfast on day one of your course. Bar meals are available however until 9pm in the Snowdon Bar at PYB.
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| All meals, including breakfast, packed lunch, afternoon tea and an evening meal. |
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| Yes. Please specify this on your booking form. |
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| If you are attending any of our listed courses there are no facilities for self catering. |
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| Yes, unless the course specifically states that it is available as non-residential. |
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| No this will be catered for as part of your course fee and you will be issued with appropriate supplies to take away with you. |
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| B&B accommodation may be available at an additional cost. You can only book this last minute (2-3 days before). |
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| Yes, it may be possible to arrange. You should contact us to find out about availability for our B&B rooms, self-catering cottages or bunkhouses. |
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| Standard courses finish around 5pm on the last activity day. There is usually a review before departure and all kit is to be returned to stores. You should vacate your room by 5.30pm |
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| For all our courses you must be over 16 unless otherwise specified. |
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| We do run a series of courses tailored for younger age groups. Please see our Young Persons Courses. |
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We do not allow under 16 year olds on our adult courses but we do run a series of Young persons courses which may be suitable.
If you are aged 16 or 17 you do not need to be accompanied by an adult to take part in a course but your booking form must be signed by a parent or guardian. |
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| PYB run taster sessions during the school holidays, which are a great opportunity to give an activity a go. These are ideal for families as well as individuals wishing to try out climbing, canoeing or skiing and operate for ages 8 or above. |
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| All of our courses assume a certain level of fitness. As a general rule the fitter you are the more you will get out of your course. Our winter courses are particularly demanding and consequently require higher levels of fitness. We reserve the right to curtail participation in (rare) extreme cases we may ask you to withdraw from activities if we feel your lack of fitness is causing excessive difficulties for you or other course members. |
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| It is hard for us to predict what weather conditions you will get. Our best advice is to keep your eye on the forecast before you travel and pack appropriately. |
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| If you are on a paddling course then you may well get wet and be immersed in water. If you head into the hills or go rock climbing you may also experience rain. You will however be given access to appropriate specialist equipment that will mean this is not an uncomfortable or unpleasant experience, should it happen. |
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No. We ask however that anyone booking on a paddling course is water confident. You will find any other specific requirements listed with the course information.
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| Unless advised otherwise your course will still run. The PYB instructors can cover the skills and techniques that will allow you to go out an enjoy the snow when it does come. |
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| Outdoor activities by their nature contain elements of risk. Here at PYB we pride ourselves on being able to offer you an adventurous experience delivered by some of the most experienced and highly qualified instructors and coaches in the country. We will discuss safety guidelines with you to help you develop your awareness for the future. |
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| You are welcome to bring your own equipment and use it at your own risk, however if our instructors consider you r equipment unsuitable they will provide you with technical equipment from our stores. With certain courses you must have your own equipment. Most hill/mountain courses require you to have your own map. Please see course notes. |
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| If you use a PYB stove we will provide free fuel. If you prefer to use your own stove you must provide your own fuel. |
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| Yes. Just let reception know when you arrive and they will advise you where to store it. |
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| PYB offers a comprehensive evening programme with lectures, talks and workshops being delivered by our staff. If you find you have some free time you may simply want to relax in the bar or library. |
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| Our evening talks are free to the public. A list will be posted on the information board at PYB. Please check in at reception if you plan to attend one of the talks. If you plan to bring a big group please telephone us in advance. |
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| Yes. If you are in the area please feel free to enjoy a drink and a bar meal and some stunning views. |
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| We provide a free internet service for clients staying at PYB. Just ask at reception. |
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Reception is generally not that good at PYB although some providers do work e.g. O2 & Orange
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| We do not have televisions in the rooms. We want to help you relax and unwind and get away from the pressures of every day life. |
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| We obtain first rate local mountain forecast including synoptic charts from the Met office each day. They are available on the notice board in the main reception area at 8.45am each morning. You are always welcome to pop in to check on the weather if you are passing. |
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| Yes. You can also specify on your booking form if you would like to have a female member of staff to instruct your course. We will do whatever we can to arrange for this to happen but we cannot guarantee this. |
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| Yes. You can buy books, maps, batteries, basic toiletries, rucksack liners, emergency bivvy bags, groups shelters, camping gas and basic refreshments (crisps, chocolate and drinks). |
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| Yes. We annually sell our fleet of sea kayaks and river kayaks. We also occasionally sell harnesses, helmets, rock shoes and walking boots. Contact our stores on 01690 720109. Alternatively check the website for sale prices. |
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| Most rooms are twin, based on two sharing. If you require single occupancy then please specify this on your booking form. We will try to accommodate requests. |
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| We do not allow animals at Plas y Brenin (except guide dogs). If you plan to stay overnight at PYB we recommend that you make alternative accommodation arrangements for your pets. |
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| Yes. during 2009 there are still some assessment courses runing for those who trained in the old BCU syllabus. Check out out BCU Qualification pages for details. |
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