Taster Activity Days at Plas y Brenin
For a great active day out, packed with adventure for kids and grown ups alike try out our taster sessions. Whether you only have a couple of hours or a whole day we have an exciting and adventurous activity for you to try. You can come on your own, with friends, family, or just drop the kids off and pick them up later.
You can choose from three exciting activities – climbing, skiing and canoeing, each session lasts for two hours with every minute packed full of fun and adventure for all the family.
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Try a 2-hour canoeing, climbing or skiing session
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Try canoeing, skiing & climbing in one adventure-packed day
Climbing
On our climbing session you’ll experience the thrill of scaling our indoor climbing tower and traversing round the base of our indoor climbing wall like a monkey. You’ll learn how to put your harness on and how to tie some of those amazing knots but more than that, you'll have great fun.
This is a great activity to try as a group.
Sit back and watch as dad tries (usually in vain) to out climb the kids. And (as is all too often the case) the boys' brute strength approach proves to be less effective than the girls' balance, grace and poise.
All your climbing equipment hire is included in the price too so there are no additional costs to worry about.
Skiing
If you try our exhilarating skiing session you’ll learn all the basics on our artificial ski slope and if you’re planning your own ski holiday, this is a great way to get started. It's great fun for any age and a really great activity to try out together as a family or group. The ski slope has many challenging lumps bumps and features too so, once you've mastered the basics, there's plenty of adventure to be had
exploring the slope. Ski and boot hire is included in the price too so there are no hidden extras.
Canoeing
And finally on our canoeing session you’ll have lots of fun and giggles paddling around on our beautiful lake, you’ll get to discover how to paddle a kayak or canoe with loads of games and plenty of opportunities for the kids to splash mum or dad! A fantastic way to spend a day of your holiday and a great way to let your children burn off some excess energy.
When can I come on a Taster Day?
We run Taster sessions mainly during school holidays and half terms on the following dates -
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Dates and prices will be available in March
You can book by phone 01690 720214 or by popping in to the centre . All you need to pay is a 25% deposit to hold the places, the rest you pay 7 days before you visit. We can accept all major credit and debit cards (except Amex – sorry) or if you pop in a cheque or cash.
What time of day do the activities start?
You can choose to do just one or two activities or you can try all three and spend the whole day with us. Each activity session is two hours long and all three activities (climbing, canoeing and skiing) are run at the following session times:
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9.30-11.30
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12.30-2.30
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3.00-5.00
How old do the children have to be?
For all of our activities our minimum age is 7 years old and grown-ups can be any age! Children aged 7 need an adult to join in the activities with them, children aged 8 & 9 need an adult to be around at the centre whilst they are with us and children aged 10 and above can be left with us once you have signed them in, so parents you can if you wish go and enjoy some quiet time away from the kids!
What do I need to bring?
All you need to bring with you is when you come is loose comfy clothing if you’re climbing.
If you’re skiing a long sleeved top, trousers and thick socks plus a pair of thick gloves if you have them (we do have some spare gloves) for skiing. And if you’re canoeing a complete change of clothing, old shoes and towel incase you get wet.
We’ll provide all the safety kit and equipment for the sessions.
You are welcome to bring a packed lunch or picnic with you.
We’d also suggest plenty of snacks and drinks to keep you going.
Our bar will be open at lunch time so you can buy lunch (and very good coffee!) from here, each day they serve soup of the day with rolls, a selection of sandwiches, filled jacket potatoes and chips.
How to find us?
We’re just of the A5 in the village of Capel Curig, 10 minutes drive from Betws y Coed, 20 minutes from Llanberis and 40 minutes from Porthmadog.
Our post code is LL24 0ET.
If you need a printable map- check out our travel maps here.
What if I really like it?
If you find that a day just isn’t enough then check out our family adventure holidays by clicking here, there’s everything from a high energy action packed adventure sports weekend to a week long rock climbing holiday where you can learn together as a family.
If you’ve got a 12-17 year old keen to for more then our young person academy holidays are fantastic, they can spend a week learning how to rock climb or paddling a kayak or if they’ve already got the basics then they can spend the week perfecting their skills, for more information check out our young persons holidays here.
Can I download more info?
A leaflet is in production which will detail our Taster programme for 2012. We will post it here as a download as soon as the leaflet has been produced.
Call 01690 720 214 to book your Taster Day/Session.
Customer Reviews
A fantastic time!!
Alex
I have climbed a few times before, and before attending the session I felt hesitant as to whether I would feel bored. But I was surprised to get there and not only have a great time climbing but learn loads of new skills, from better ways to conserve energy and asessing my route to how I can really challenge myself on the wall to improve my skill. The cost was amazing value for what I got out of the session, and the staff were great at improving technique and skills. The session was so great that I am planning my next trip back, but to take a full climbing course.
fantastic day out
Jeffrey ,Gillian Colhoun and family
The children and i would like you to know how much we injoyed our day out at the centre. The staff were very helpful and this was great for the children and myself as the children had not done anything like this before. Its a pitty that we cant get the same facilities in Northern Ireland. We are sorry that we can only remember one of the fella's names that took us that day his name was Andy, but thats not to say that the other fella wasn't just as good with us and had the patience that was needed to work with us. Just to say again that we could not have enjoyed our day out any more than we did.
many thanks
Gillian colhoun and family
Safe Hands
Jane Corrigan
I did a rock climbing course at PyB many moons ago and went on to have loads of great days in the hills. For me, it was a place which was utterly professional yet completely laid back and it helped me to get rid of (some of) my own hang-ups about what I could & couldn't do. That was all great - but even better was, today, watching my son affected by the same qualities.
Today was just a taster day, but to an 8 year old boy it was huge. When asked to say what he thought in one word, he chose "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious". As ever, the teaching and the ambience was relaxed but completely switched on and fully responsive. It is fantastic to see how the centre continues to evolve.
For anyone thinking of taking their child to a taster day, have a look at the vast ranges of courses on offer which might follow on. Trust that your child will be in safe, inspired hands and will have a real adventure.
Well good day out!
Georgie
We had a great day. I enjoyed skiing most but my brothers liked climbing the best. The ski slope was fun because it has bumps and things to go round. The instructors were very nice and friendly. We are going to come again and do the canoeing as well next time.
A fantastic experienc
Richard Owen and family
I just wanted to e-mail you to let you know that myself and my family had the most amazing day with you on Saturday. We came for the taster day and I have to say that it was just the best experience ever for us.
Lucy our instructor for the day was just brilliant. In fact she enhanced the whole day for us and made the experience all the more enjoyable. She was so enthusiastic, friendly and encouraging, we just can't compliment her enough. My partner who was not looking forward to the skiing even managed to ski down the slope. The price for the day was a bargain and we have recommended it to all our friends.
Overall I have to say that the reason I felt compelled to post this review was purely because of Lucy. My daughter also found her to be lots of fun and was raving about her all the way home. Many thanks for a fantastic experience. Richard Owen and family
Taster day
David Hampson
An excellent introduction to skiing and climbing by our Kiwi instructor. I cannot remember her name, but she was patient, enthusiastic, encouraging at all times and gave out instructions clearly to all. An excellent instructor.
The courses were well organised and planned and despite the weather not allowing us to do canoeing, a substitute exercise (low ropes) was undertaken.
A great value experience for all the family and definitely recommended.
Fabulous Fun
Rachael Wherry
Great day. brilliant instructor. achieved more than we thought possible and were happily exhausted. Would love to return and do a full course one day.
Excellent Day
Michele Warwick
7 of us attended the Taster Day and all throughly enjoyed it our group leader was very professional and created an enjoyable day. I am please to say that safety was also paramount but without spoiling the fun. Very good value for money.
Canoeing Taster session
David Widlake
Great time. Learned again what fantastic fun canoeing is. Judith was great and got us all working together and also very wet. Will do it again.
out of this world!!!
Ben Hands
what a day i dont think ive had that much fun in a long time.Linsey was a great inscructor and great fun. We started with skiing and it was great going down that slope in top speed. Next canoeing which was my favorite. We did some rowing across the lake in teams and played some games. Last but not least rock climbing,First we were attached to the top and had to climb up to the top i do have a tip dont look down.but the day was great.
Ben Hands
Taster day course for son and daughter
Mike Whalley
What a fantastic day!
I thought I'd drop off the kids, stay 10 mins and pick them up at 5. No chance. They were having so much fun I wanted to stay and see their faces while they were doing the 3 activities.
Skiing, they loved it (apart from one little fall, but it happens and all were ok).
The canoeing (too windy on the day so went in the pool in kayaks, brilliant, they were in their element).
Rock climbing, wow, I really wished I'd done the day too! They learnt so much during the day. The two instructors were second to none, helpful, skillful, enthusiastic, fun and very talented.
Recommended to everyone.
Great family day
Esyllt M Jones
Four of us attended the course me at 48 my daughter of 20 and my son 10 with his friend - we ALL had a gret time. Depite the fact you only get two hours at eachactivity you are taught enough to get a lot out of each activity and see what the possibilities could be.
We had two instructors - both were excellent. Knowledgeable and capable. They were very patient with all the group and made sure that all the participants worked to the best of their abililty
I have recommende the course to my brother so that he could take his son
Thankyou
Esyllt
BRILLIANT DAY OUT
MEGAN,ETHAN,MORGAN ,REBECCA,KATIE AND HANNAH
JUDITH AND OLLIE WERE OUR LEADERS ,JUDITH TAUGHT US TO SKI AND OLLIE TAUGHT US TO CANOE AND CLIMB
SKIING WAS FUN AND WE GOT A BIT WET WITH WATER COMING AT US ,IT WAS HARD TO STAND WHILST WE WERE WAITING ON THE SLOPE,MORGAN AGED 7 REALLY STRUGGLED AND JUDITH HELPED HIM A LOT.THE GROWN UPS STRUGGLED EVEN MORE WHICH MADE THE KIDS LAUGH,WE WERE MUCH BETTER!!!!!
CANOEING WAS NEXT EVERYONES FAVOURITE .OLLIE TAUGHT US SOME BRILLIANT GAMES LIKE TAG ,AND CANOE POLO AND WE WERE ALL MUCH BETTER AT PADDLING BY THE END.OUR FAVE BIT WAS JUMPING IN AT THE END WHERE KATIE LOST HER SHOE IN THE MUD.WE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO SWIM BUT IT WAS TOO COLD (THAT IS WHAT THE GROWN UPS SAID WE WERE FINE!!!!!)
ON TO CLIMBING ,IT WAS FANTASTIC ,ALL OF US LIKE CLIMBING AND HAVE DONE IT BEFORE,WE BOULDERED AND CLIMBED UP 2 THE TOP AND DID RELAYS .
THE ONLY COMPLAINT WE HAD WAS BY ELAN AGE 4 AND 3 QUARTERS WHO WASN'T OLD ENOUGH ,NICK AND BEN WERE ALSO IN OUR GROUP AND WERE V.FRIENDLY
THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SEE YOU SOON (HOPEFULLY IN SUMMER WE ARE ALL SAVING UP)
Great Day Out
Steven Mowat
We found the centre very well laid out and organized, All the equipment was excellent as every thing we needed was supply as at some center's it isn't.
Angela our instructor was excellent interacted well with the younger children on the course well.
Only negative was at lunch the time from ordering food to receiving was to long, especially when activity due to start at 12:30 received food 12.25. (but this was likely to be a one off issue).
Great Taster Day
Andy Murphy
Thought the taster day last week was superb, instructors very enthusiastic and clearly very competent at what they are doing. They made the day very enjoyable and involved everyone to the same level in each session. A really good day, will be coming back!
Taster Day
Georgina Turner
Had a brilliant 'taster day'!
The instructors were excellent, friendly, funny and professional and we really got a feel for what the center was like. Such great value for money.
Felt really inspired to come back to the center and would especially like to thank our instructor (who sadly I can't remember the name of) who was lovely and she made the day great fun and put everyone at ease even when they were nervous!
Had a really fun day so thankyou!
Low Ropes, indoor rock climbing, orienteering
Neal Shah
We were booked in a session with canoeing, but due to weather conditions it had been changed to low ropes.
We found that the low ropes was a very good activity, it involved team building and we all enjoyed ourselves.
The Rock climbing was good, and the orienteering was very informative, especially the map reading skills.
After experiencing these taster days, we want to take part in some more activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to bring for climbing?
Comfy loose clothing, we provide climbing shoes and all the safety kit.
What do I need to bring with me for skiing?
You need a top with long sleeves, trousers, thick gloves and an extra pair of socks.
What do I need to bring with me for canoeing?
A set of clothes plus footwear (such as old trainers) you don't mind getting wet and a towel.
Do I need an adult to stay with me?
If you are 10 or over then you can come for the day without an adult.
Will I get wet?
If you intend to come on a canoeing taster session you are likely to get very wet. That's all part of the fun. So bring suitable clothing and footwear, a towel and a change of clothing to change in to after you are finished.
