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Welcome!

Welcome to Plas y Brenin, The National Mountain Sports Centre, based in Snowdonia, North Wales. Owned by Sport England, the centre is operated on their behalf by the Mountain Training Trust a non-profit making charity with a commitment to not only offering world class training but encouraging more people to get active in the outdoors, regardless of their abilities, experience or competence.

Our incredible location allows us to run a year round programme of skill development, training and assessment in a range of mountain sports including walking, climbing, mountaineering, paddle sports and mountain biking. We also host ski sessions and run first aid courses plus we're a great venue for a wide range of outdoor-focused conferences and symposiums.

Courses are also offered further afield, including Scotland, the Alps and the Pyrenees.
Personal Skills (Land)

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

Rock
Climbing

Scrambling Courses

Hillwalking & Navigation

Adventure Sports

Mountain Biking

Alpine Mountaineering

Scottish Winter Mountaineering

Welsh Winter Mountaineering

First Aid Training

Summer Camps For Young People (12-17)

On our summer camps for young outdoor enthusiasts (aged 12-17) our courses focus on providing maximum enjoyment whilst learning and developing your outdoor skills. To make sure you get the most from your course, alongside a week of all-day skills development, we also run a series of informal evening activity sessions. With the entire site dedicated to young people, you'll learn new skills, see new places and make lots of new friends.

find out more here
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

Summer Camps For Young People (12-17)

On our summer camps for young outdoor enthusiasts (aged 12-17) our courses focus on providing maximum enjoyment whilst learning and developing your outdoor skills. To make sure you get the most from your course, alongside a week of all-day skills development, we also run a series of informal evening activity sessions. With the entire site dedicated to young people, you'll learn new skills, see new places and make lots of new friends.

find out more here
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.
Leadership & Coaching

Courses For Instructors, Coaches and Leaders In The Outdoors

Mountain Leadership

Climbing
Coaching

MTB Leadership

First Aid Courses

Kayak
Coaching

Canoe
Coaching

Sea Kayak Coaching

W.W. Safety & Rescue

Duke Of Edinburgh's Award

Coaching
Orienteering

Fast Track Instructor Scheme

Enhanced Learning Credits

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.
Families

Courses Families & Children

Family Courses

Summer Camps

Artificial Ski Slope

Bespoke Enquiries

Self catering Cottages

Self Catering Accommodation

Our self catering accommodation units make a great destination for a family holiday in the mountains. Moelwyn Cottage sleeps 16 and Bryn Engan Cottage sleeps up to 20 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.
Groups

Breaks & Activities and For Groups

School
Groups

Adventure Experiences

Team Development

Artificial Ski Slope

Bespoke Enquiries

Superior School Experiences

If you want the very best residential activity experience for your school, there's no better choice than the National Mountain Sports Centre. Enjoy the highest standard of instruction, equipment, food and accommodation. Let us work out a program that's ideal for your school.Find out more here.

Accommodation For Groups

Our self catering accommodation units make a highly affordable destination for your group adventures. Moelwyn Cottage sleeps 16 and Bryn Engan Cottage sleeps up to 20 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
Why Choose Plas y Brenin?

What makes The National Mountain Sports Centre so special and why should you choose us? Find out here
Info
General Information & Other Stuff
Why Choose Plas y Brenin?

What makes The National Mountain Sports Centre so special and why should you choose us? Find out here

Plas y Brenin - The National Mountain Centre

Outdoor Adventure Sports Courses & Holidays All Year Round

Welcome To The National Mountain Sports Centre

Deep in the mountains of North Wales, Plas y Brenin is a unique place, run by outdoor experts for outdoor enthusiasts. A place where passion for the outdoors runs deep and that passion is shared by every single member of staff as well as every guest.
For over 60 years we've been at the forefront of outdoor leadership, training and exploration and during that time we've built up a unique reputation for helping others get the most from their time in the outdoors. Our instructors are amongst the most experienced and knowledgeable in the field but our passion for adventure doesn't stop there.
From top to bottom, across our entire team, the depth of outdoor experience and enthusiasm is unrivalled and we like nothing more than to share that knowledge and passion with others.
So why not pay us a visit and enjoy the unique atmosphere of the National Mountain Sports Centre for yourself. Whatever your interest in the outdoors, from first timer to seasoned veteran, you'll always be welcome - and you will always be amongst friends.

Featured Courses

Discover Sea Kayaking

A weekend course for paddlers who want to get to grips with sea kayaking. Based ...

Cost: £235

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Moving Out - 2 days

If you have already learnt the basics down at your local wall and want to make t...

Cost: £255

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White Water Sea & Surf

You've decided you like kayaking. Now it's time to experience racing down the fa...

Cost: £535

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Mountain Bike Improver

Want to get more out of your mountain biking? Let us improve your riding skills ...

Cost: £210

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How to Coach Rolling

Whether you are a club coach or a volunteer that coaches kayaking, why not impro...

Cost: £185

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Welsh Summer Ridges

An exhilarating weekend of guided mountaineering on some of Snowdonia's classic ...

Cost: £355

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Got A Date Available - Need An Adventure To Match?

Find out what's going on at the National Mountain Sports Centre between any date range on this handy new search page

Take me to the calendar!

Adventure Sport
Summer Camps (Age 12-17)

Young climbers, mountaineers, paddlers and mtb riders aged 12-17. Develop your outdoor skills with our top coaches on one of our residential summer camps.

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ENVIRONMENT SYMPOSIUM FOR MOUNTAIN LEADERS

The 2017 Plas y Brenin Environment Symposium for Mountain Leaders and Mountaineering Instructors wil....

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FAST TRACK INSTRUCTOR SCHEME
OPEN DAYS

Fast Track Instructor Scheme<br/>Open Days Join us for a free information day on 18th September and find out how the Fast Track Instructor Sche....

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PEAK PERFORMANCE FOR PLAS Y BRENIN PADDLING TEAM

Peak Performance For Plas y Brenin Paddling Team We are delighted to announce that we've launched an exciting new partnership with kayak clothing man....

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BMC WOMEN OUTDOORS WEEK 5-15 AUG 2017

BMC Women Outdoors Week 5-15 Aug 2017 Come and get active for the BMC's Women Outdoors Week here at Plas y Brenin. We have talks, activiti....

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SCOTLAND COURSES 2018

Scotland Courses 2018 The dates for our 2018 Scotland Courses have just been released. So if you are looking to gain more ....

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What's On In Our bar?

Our friendly and lively bar is open to the public. From talks and lectures to film nights and live music, there's always something going on. Find out what's coming up next here

Take me to the bar

Adventure Sport
Summer Camps (Age 12-17)

Young climbers, mountaineers, paddlers and mtb riders aged 12-17. Develop your outdoor skills with our top coaches on one of our residential summer camps.

Tell me more

Enhanced Learning Credits

The Enhanced Learning Credit Administration Service offers funding for armed forces personnel. Plas y Brenin is able to accept ELCAS funding for a few specific non residential courses.