Training Courses & Grants
Whether you're interested in developing your skills or training to become a leader, the Club has a variety of opportunities and support available.
Members are eligible for subsided grants towards programs based in the United Kingdom and Austria. For further guidance on the allocation of training grants or subsidies see our Grant Allocation Guidance.
Please sign in to My.Britannia for access to further booking information.
Skills Training
AAC(UK) is providing grants for Winter and Summer training through external providers, as detailed below.
Grants are available for members renewing in 2022 and with membership in 2020 and/or 2021. Higher grants are available for young adult (YAs) members (18-24 yrs old at the time of the course). Grants are approx. 33% of the cost of courses (excluding board and accommodation), and approx. 40 per cent for young adults.
Members should book their place on a course and receive confirmation of a place before applying for a grant.
Summer & Autumn Training - 2022
The AAC(UK) is collaborating with accredited training providers, who are also members of the Club, to deliver a comprehensive UK training programme this Summer and Autumn.
You can access course information through the links below and book a course directly with providers. Once you have booked your place, you are then eligible to apply for a UK training grant with the AAC(UK).
Please note, to be eligible for a grant, you must have had membership in 2020, and/or 2021, and also be a current member in 2022 (see the form for eligibility criteria). Grants are approximately 50% of course costs, with higher grants available for young adult (YAs) members (18-24 yrs old at the time of the course). The grant application form can be found under the Grant Forms tab.
Courses in England
Understanding and managing a fear of heights
Dates: 11-12 August and 13-14 August
Duration: 2 day courses
Location: Peak District
Course Cost: £210
(Grant £105; YA grant £155)
Develop skills to overcome the fear of heights, including neuro linguistic programming and activities and to overcome fear. Aimed at those with a general fear of heights, and for those wanting to enjoy activities in more exposed environments.
Please log in to My.Britannia to access additional course information and booking form.
Alpine Skills - Preparation for Alpine travel
Dates: 13-14 August
Duration: 2 day course
Location: Keswick, Lake
District
Course Cost: £220
(Grant £110; YA grant £165)
Foundation skills for a successful trip to the Alps, from safe travel on glaciers to moving quickly and efficiently on rock. Safe route choice and navigation along with appropriate kit to move ‘fast and light’.
Please log in to My.Britannia to access additional course information and booking form.
Understanding and managing a fear of heights - *NEW DATE*
Dates: 6-7 September
Duration: 2 day courses
Location: Peak District
Course Cost: £210
(Grant £105; YA grant £155)
Develop skills to overcome the fear of heights, including neuro linguistic programming and activities and to overcome fear. Aimed at those with a general fear of heights, and for those wanting to enjoy activities in more exposed environments.
Please log in to My.Britannia to access additional course information and booking form.
Improvised Self Rescue for Climbers - Training in techniques
Dates: 17-18 September
Duration: 2 day course
Location: Lake
District
Course Cost: £220
(Grant £110; YA grant £165)
Practice what could go wrong climbing and learn solutions to solve them. How to avoid problems, progress to escaping the system, ascending a rope and more.
Please log in to My.Britannia to access additional course information and booking form.
Hill Skills – An introduction
Dates: 1-2 October
Duration: 2 day course
Location: North Peak
District
Course Costs: £130
(Grant £65; YA grant £95)
To provide a perfect introduction to hillwalking for anyone of any ability. Skills include navigation, walking pace and movement, clothing, equipment and weather!
Please log in to My.Britannia to access additional course information and booking form.
Courses in Wales
Rock Climbing – An introduction
Dates: 30-31 July and 10-11 September
Duration: 2 day courses
Location: Snowdonia
Course Costs: £130
(Grant £65; YA grant £95)
To gain the essential skills to get started in outdoor rock climbing. No experience required, just come, and try a new skill in a beautiful setting.
Please log in to My.Britannia to access additional course information and booking form.
Rock Climbing – An introduction
Dates: 12-16 September and 26-30 September
Duration: 5 day courses
Location: Snowdonia
Course Costs: £440
(Grant £220; YA grant £330)
To gain the essential skills to get started in outdoor rock climbing. No experience required, just come, and try a new skill in a beautiful setting.
Please log in to My.Britannia to access additional course information and booking form.
Rock Climbing – Learn to Lead
Dates: 27-28 August and 17-18 September
Duration: 2 day courses
Location: Snowdonia
Course Costs: £215
(Grant £105; YA grant £160)
Skills you need to be independent lead climbers outdoors on single pitch terrain. You’ll learn everything you need to know to get you started leading outside, safely and confidently, including placing gear on lead, building belays and lead belaying.
Please log in to My.Britannia to access additional course information and booking form.
Rock Climbing – Learn to Lead
Dates: 22-26 August
Duration: 5 day course
Location: Brynefail,
(near Llanberis), Snowdonia
Course Costs: £520 (Grant £260; YA grant £390)
A 5 day ‘Club’ course, progressing from being an indoor climber to being able to lead trad routes. Skills include selecting routes, lead belaying, building belays, placing trad gear, climbing techniques and trad climbing tactics.
Please log in to My.Britannia to access additional course information and booking form.
Hill Skills – An introduction
Dates: 13-14 August and 3-4 September
Duration: 2 day courses
Location: Snowdonia
Course Cost: £130
(Grant £65; YA grant £95)
To provide a perfect introduction to hillwalking for anyone of any ability. Skills include navigation, walking pace and movement, clothing, equipment, and weather!
Please log in to My.Britannia to access additional course information and booking form.
Scrambling – Grades 2 and 3
Dates: 3-4 September and 15-16 October
Duration: 2 day courses
Location: Snowdonia
Course Costs: £220 (Grant £110; YA grant £165)
Skills for movement and protection on steeper ground. Using harnesses, select anchors and use direct belays on graded scrambles. Develop the skills and confidence to tackle harder and more committing routes.
Please log in to My.Britannia to access additional course information and booking form.
Climbing Confidence - Understanding and managing fear - *UPDATED*
Dates: 24-25 September and 1-2 October
Duration: 2 day course
Location: Snowdonia
Course Cost: £210
(Grant £105; YA grant £155)
Develop skills to build confidence and regain some control when Climbing. Content includes a basic understanding of fear, working on focus and regaining control. The course uses a variety of activities, including climbing, to work on these aspects. Aimed at those wanting to develop their confidence to get started in climbing and those wanting to understand what might be holding them back.
Please log in to My.Britannia to access additional course information and booking form.
Courses in Scotland
Scrambling – Grades 2 and 3
Dates: 25-26 July
Duration: 2 day course
Location: Skye
Course Costs: £210
(Grant £105; YA grant £155)
To develop the skills and confidence to tackle harder and more committing routes (grades 2/3). 1 Munro per day, with more days optional!
Please log in to My.Britannia to access additional course information and booking form.
Rock Climbing – An introduction
Dates: 10-11 August
Duration: 2 day course
Location: NW Highlands (based
near Ullapool using the sea cliffs at Reiff)
Course Costs: £130
(Grant £65; YA grant £95)
To gain the essential skills to get started in outdoor rock climbing. No experience required, just come along, and try a new skill in a beautiful setting.
Please log in to My.Britannia to access additional course information and booking form.
Rock Climbing – An introduction
Dates: 20-21 August
Duration: 2 day course
Location: Fort William and Glen Coe with the base being in
Fort William
Course Costs: £130
(Grant £65; YA grant £95)
To gain the essential skills to get started in outdoor rock climbing. No experience required, just come along, and try a new skill in a beautiful setting.
Please log in to My.Britannia to access additional course information and booking form.
Hill Skills – An introduction
Dates: 1-2 October
Duration: 2 day course
Location: Cairngorms, Scotland
Course Cost: £120
(Grant £60; YA grant £90)
To provide a perfect introduction to hillwalking for anyone of any ability. Skills include navigation, walking pace and movement, clothing, equipment, and weather!
Please log in to My.Britannia to access additional course information and booking form.
Please complete the UK Training Grant Application
Form and send it to aac.office@aacuk.org.uk before your course commences.
Members will only receive their grant after the course is completed.
Please sign in to My.Britannia for grant forms.
These alpine courses are organised for English speaking participants by WELTbewegend, the commercial arm of Alpenverein Edelweiss (a large ÖAV section based in Vienna).
Details of these courses in English are published on the WELTbewegend website. See www.weltbewegend.at/ ; then click on title labelled ‘For English Speakers’.
Don’t be put off by the advertised prices as AAC(UK) members in 2022 with membership in 2020 and/or 2021 can obtain a reduction of up to £575 (but not exceeding 50% of the course cost) by applying in advance to the AAC(UK) for an Alpine Training Grant.
Young Adults, aged 18 to 24 at the time of the course, with membership in 2022 and 2020 and/or 2021 can obtain a reduction of up to £860 (but not exceeding 75% of the course cost). If eligible, the grant will be paid by AAC(UK) in two stages: 50% on proof of the final payment to WELTbewegend and 50% on proof of successful completion of the course.
If eligible, the grant will be paid by AAC(UK) in two stages: 50% on proof of the final payment to WELTbewegend and 50% on proof of successful completion of the course.
Basic Courses
Summer
Via Ferrata/Klettersteige
Dates: September 25 – October 1 (Sun-Sat)
Location: Dachstein/Ramsau
Course code: BSE22wk03
For members who have good hiking experience and are new to Klettersteige/Via Ferratas. You receive instructions for the use of the equipment technique and tactics on Via Ferratas to attempt Via Ferrata tours independently.
Please log in to My.Britannia to access the course Resumé Form.
Improvers Courses
Summer
Improvers Alpine Skills
Dates: July 17 – 23 (Sun-Sat)
Location: Ötztaler Alpen/Taschachhaus
Course code: BSE22sk02
Training on Ice and Rock! The Taschachaus - located in the Ötztaler Alpen in the heart of Tyrol - is an excellent base to improve basic skills in rock climbing as well as various exercises on the glacier. Some important theoretical units will complete the content of this course!
Please log in to My.Britannia to access the course Resumé Form.
Courses are booked via the WELTbewegend website. See www.weltbewegend.at/; then click on tile labelled ‘For English Speakers‘. At the top right of each page click on ‘Buchen’ to go to the booking form.
Members must agree to the WELTbewegend’s Standard Terms of Business.
Contact WELTbewegend on +43 1 513 85 00 or info@weltbewegend.at
Business Hours: 9.00 – 18.00 (Mon-Thurs), 9.00-17.00 (Fri).
You will need to pay 20% of the total cost when WELTbewegend offers you a place and the remainder at least 30 days before the course starts. WELTbewegend’s preference is for payment by bank transfer in Euros. Payment by credit card is also possible, but needs to be by phone to the WELTbewegend office.
Although members are covered for rescue, medical costs and repatriation through members’ AWS insurance, it is advisable to take out personal travel insurance as well so that you are covered for cancellation charges, and possible curtailment costs should you have to leave a course early. This personal insurance must cover the proposed activities.
Please log in to My.Britannia for Co-ordinator contact details.
Leadership Training
The AAC(UK) offers grants for Training Awards offered by external providers.
For example, if you are registered on any Mountain Training
qualification programme, you can apply to the AAC(UK) for a grant for
training and assessment.
For further guidance on the allocation of training grants or subsidies see our Grant Allocation Guidance.
We also recommend the courses
suitable for English speaking participants, which the Alpine Team has
arranged with WELTbewegend, the commercial arm of Alpenverein Edelweiss,
which take place in Austria.
Please complete the following grant form and send it to aac.office@aacuk.org.uk before commencing your course.
The AAC(UK) now has a number of level 2 MTB leaders around the UK organising rides and meets for members.
If you feel you have the skills to complete British Cycling’s Leader Level 2 training a grant may be available.
The aim is to develop a network of qualified MTB Leaders around the country with leaders organising events in their areas. As the group develops, meets and tours overseas will be organised.
Please log in to My.Britannia for Co-ordinator contact details.
These leadership courses are organised for English speaking participants by the Alpenverein-Akademie, which is based at the Alpenvereinshaus, Innsbruck. Details of these English-language courses can be found on the following links. Course information will be available in September.
- GetReady course for English speakers.
- Übungsleiter course for English speakers.
- Update course for English speakers.
Participants must be 2022 members of the AAC(UK) and have been members in 2021 and/or 2020. They must also be at least 16 years old.
GetReady courses are preparation courses organised by the Alpenverein-Akademie for those who want to organise and lead tours on a voluntary basis. These are not assessment courses, but prepare candidates for the skills needed for the Übungsleiter courses. Those who successfully complete the course are expected go on an Übungsleiter course within 2 years of course completion.
Übungsleiter courses are assessment courses organised by the Alpenverein-Akademie for those who want to organise and lead tours on a voluntary basis. The emphasis is on refining and assessing the skill sets that candidates already have, with a particular focus on leadership and safety. This is particularly important for the Skihochtouren and Hochtouren awards, both of which require competence in rope techniques. Candidates are expected to have plenty of relevant Alpine mountain experience. Those who successfully complete the course are expected to lead a tour for AAC(UK) members in Austria within 2 years of course completion.
Update courses are organised by the Alpenverein-Akademie and are designed for those with an Übunglsleiter qualification, which needs to be updated every 4 years. Those who successfully complete the course should lead a tour for the AAC(UK) within 2 years of course completion.
GetReady Courses
Thank you for a great Winter 2022 season! GetReady training will return for the Winter 2023 season.
Übungsleiter Courses
Thank you for a great Summer 2022 season! Übungsleiter training will return for the Winter 2023 season.
Update Courses
Thank you for a great Summer 2022 season! Update courses will return for the Winter 2023 season.
How to apply:
- Complete a Grant Application Form
- Complete a Tour report (Guidance for the tour report can be found in the ‘Voraussetzungen’/pre requisites section for each course.)
- Review the Terms of Business
- Submit your completed forms to the relevant Head of Discipline and AAC(UK) Office Team
The relevant Head of Discipline will decide if you have the necessary experience for a particular GetReady course. If approved, you will be invited to complete an online application with the Akademie, and in Mitteilungen section you are required to list relevant pre-requisites and qualifications.
If you are approved for any of these courses, the course costs will be met by the Alpenverein-Akademie and the AAC(UK). You must pay your own travel costs to Austria and any incidental costs and provide any equipment required. For more information about the courses, click on the course titles above. Choose a course and click on ‘Details’. The course content can be found under the tab ‘Inhalte’ whilst the skills and experience required can be found under the tab ‘Voraussetzungen’.
Members must agree to the Akademie’s Standard Terms of Business which can be found on the AV-A page in the left hand column under ‘AGB englisch’.
Please log in to My.Britannia for full course information and forms.
Grants are available for first aid training for all Club activity organisers and leaders. The grant is for a 16 hour, 2-day outdoor NGB (National Governing Body) recognised course (e.g. REC, ITC) and is up to a value of £125.
First aid training is required for leaders of overseas tours, and is encouraged for leaders of day walks, leaders of mountain bike rides and UK meet organisers.
Leaders and Organisers wishing to apply for a first aid training award grant should complete the UK Training Grant Form return to the AAC(UK) Office. Please note that conditions 3, 5 and 8 on the grant form do not apply in the case of first aid training.
Please log in to My.Britannia to access grant forms.
Disclaimer
Climbing, hill and country walking, hiking, scrambling, mountain biking, mountaineering, klettersteig and snow sports (and any other similar activities) (the “Activities”) organised by Austrian Alpine Club (UK) (“AAC(UK)”) are physically challenging and carry risks that AAC(UK) cannot entirely eliminate. These include the risk of personal injury or death. In taking part in the Activities you acknowledge and accept these risks, being responsible for your own actions, involvement, health condition and safety. All event participants must follow any safety warnings or instructions displayed or given to them by a leader or organiser (and ask a leader or organiser if anything is unclear). In the absence of any breach of duty by AAC(UK), participation in the Activities is entirely at participants’ own risk.