Frequently Asked Questions
Advice on Applying & What You Need for Your Course
The most pertinent information about our courses is available on our Courses Page. Some common additional questions are answered below.
If you can’t find the information you’re looking for on either the Courses Page or the FAQ, please get in touch with us either on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) or by email to: katrina@jcmt.org.uk
General
When do applications open?
Applications for all of our courses open at the start of September for courses taking place in the following calendar year.
When do applications close?
This varies by course:
- Scottish Winter Course applications close on 20 October
- Alpine Preparation Course applications close on 10 January
- Alpine Mountaineering Course applications close on 14 February
What happens if I miss the application closing date?
We’re sorry, but we can’t accept late applications. We are a volunteer-run organisation and it is not possible for us to provide the extra time and administration required to process late applications. We would encourage you to apply again next year and you can sign up on our courses page to receive a reminder email when applications open.
What are the exact dates of the courses?
The exact dates change year on year and will be announced in the application form for each year.
Broadly speaking, the Scottish Winter Courses take place in early to mid-January, the Alpine Preparation Courses in mid-May and the Alpine Mountaineering Courses from the start of June to the middle of July.
Can I attend more than one course in a year?
Due to the level of demand for our courses, applicants may only apply to one course per year. Please read the course information and select the course that is most appropriate for you.
Applicants who are unsuccessful in their application to the Scottish Winter Course are welcome to re-apply for the Alpine Mountaineering Course.
Can I attend a course with my friends?
There is an opportunity in the application form to indicate the names of other people who you are applying with. As far as is possible we try to group successful applicants who know each other onto the same course. However, we cannot guarantee that you will attend the same course as your friends, though we will make every effort to ensure you do.
I will be over 30 at the time of the course, can I still attend?
The terms of our charitable work mean that we are required to focus on providing our services to young people. If you will be older than 30 at the time of the course you wish to attend, then we’re afraid that we cannot accept your application.
However, there are other organisations who offer subsidised mountain training with no age limits:
- The Alpine Club is a membership organisation for UK mountaineers. While some experience is required to join, those with UK mountaineering experience can become members and attend the Alpine Club’s Saas Meet where they receive similar instruction to a JCMT Alpine course.
- The Women’s Alpine Adventure Club is a membership organisation for female climbers. They run trips where members can take advantage of subsidised instruction.
- You may want to look at other options, particularly if you are in a group that could club together to hire a British UIAGM Guide (Alps) or WMCI holder (UK Winter). The cost would be more than a Conville course - but may be affordable. You can find a guide for the Alps via the BMG website and a WMCI for winter via the Association of Mountaineering Instructors.
- Many local and national climbing clubs will offer informal instruction and guidance to their members. You can find a club that is local to you or which caters to your interests via the BMC website.
I will be under 18 at the time of the course, can I still attend?
Unfortunately, we cannot accept applications from anyone who would be under 18 at the time of their desired course.
Are there any other limits on who can apply?
Funds for these subsidised courses are limited and we endeavour to do our utmost to ensure that they are spent wisely, providing maximum benefit to those who most need our assistance. If you have the personal means to do a full-length Alps-based course with another provider, please do not apply for one of our courses.
Otherwise, our courses are open to everyone. Please do not feel that your social background, ethnicity, gender or sexuality is any barrier to taking part. All applications are assessed on merit and will be treated equally.
Do I need to have attended the Alpine Preparation Course or Scottish Winter Course in order to attend the Alpine Mountaineering Course?
Attending one of the other courses is not a prerequisite to attending the Alpine Mountaineering Course. However, you will need a certain level of experience in order to attend this course. This is detailed in the Alpine Mountaineering Course section below.
My application was unsuccessful, can you give me feedback?
We receive hundreds of applications every year and so are unfortunately unable to provide individual feedback.
If you read on, you will be able to see a broad outline of what we look for in applications to each course to help guide you in the experience you need to gain before applying again.
I have not received an email indicating whether or not my application has been successful.
In the first instance, please check your Junk/Spam folder in case the email has been directed here. We also encourage applicants to add jcmtalpine24@gmail.com to their trusted email list to ensure that they receive emails regarding the courses.
If you still can’t see a response and it is past the indicated date for you to have received a response, please get in touch with us either on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) or by email to: katrina@jcmt.org.uk and one of our team will be able to clarify.
Scottish Winter Course
What does the course cover?
The course is a Fundamental Winter Skills Course. Depending on conditions the following activities and skills are normally covered: clothing and equipment, navigation, movement on snow and ice (with and without crampons), use of ice axe, snow belays, ropework for hillwalkers, snow evaluation and avalanches, choice of route, snow shelters and emergency bivouacs.
What experience do I need in order to apply for this course?
Successful applicants will be able to demonstrate a committed interest in climbing, mountaineering and/or winter walking and may have already spent some time climbing or walking in the winter in the UK.
What equipment do I need in order to attend this course?
If your application is successful, you will be sent a full kit list with more detail on all of the items. Broadly, you will require:
Waterproof jacket and over trousers
40 litre (minimum) rucksack
Warm clothes (thermal base layers, fleece layers, warm socks)
Sun glasses
Warm and waterproof gloves. (As many pairs as you can bring!)
Water bottle. (Thermos if you want a hot drink)
Ski / mountaineering goggles
Cairngorms Map, 1:50,000 OS sheet 36 with waterproof case
Head torch with spare battery or second torch.
Compass (Silva type 4 or similar with a romer scale)
Helmet
Mountaineering axe (or climbing axe if this is what you own)
Crampons
Four season mountain boots (B3)
Optional: Harness, climbing equipment.
Your instructor will carry a first aid kit for the group but you are encouraged to bring your own. If you have a medical condition that requires medication, you should carry this with you and make your instructor aware of where you’ve stored it and how to administer it.
Axes, crampons and boots can be hired either in advance or in Aviemore. Further information on this will be sent with your joining instructions.
What about food and accommodation?
Full board accommodation is included in the course fee. A packed lunch will be provided but you may wish to bring extra snacks for when out in the mountains.
Alpine Preparation Course
What does the course cover?
The course aims to give a good grounding in essential alpine skills, simulating or discussing these where it is not possible to replicate the experience of climbing in the Alps. These skills include: kit choice, using maps and guidebooks, interpreting weather forecasts, alpine ropework, abseiling and safe descent, glacier travel, crevasse rescue, alpine navigation and emergency procedures.
What experience do I need in order to apply for this course?
Successful applicants will be able to demonstrate a committed interest in climbing and mountaineering. They will have experience of climbing or scrambling in the UK and a desire to develop their skills for more challenging future goals.
What are the differences between the Alpine Preparation Courses and Summer Alpine Courses?
The course content for both courses is similar but the environment in which they are taught is very different.
On the Alpine Preparation Course in North Wales the Guides simulate alpine conditions as much as possible - e.g. moving together when roped up, practising navigation etc.
On the Summer Alpine Course in the Alps, you can more easily practise crevasse rescue, avalanche assessment…etc. On the Alpine Preparation Course, these have to be dealt with in a more theoretical way.
What equipment do I need in order to attend this course?
If your application is successful, you will be sent a full kit list with more detail on all of the items. Broadly, you will require:
Waterproof jacket and trousers
Rucksack – 30-40 litres
Mountain boots
Mountain clothes to suit all weather eventualities! inc. synthetic jacket or equivalent
Gloves
Water bottle and lunches
Headtorch
Harness, screwgate carabiner and belay device
2 prusik loops. If in doubt, bring 3 metres of 5.5/6mm climbing cord.
2 slings (120cm)
Any other bits of climbing equipment you use in the mountains or on glaciers.
Climbing helmet
Note pad and pencil, camera (if you wish)
Your instructor will carry a first aid kit for the group but you are encouraged to bring your own. If you have a medical condition that requires medication, you should carry this with you and make your instructor aware of where you’ve stored it and how to administer it.
What about food and accommodation?
Self-catering accommodation with bedding is included in the course fee. You will need to bring all your food for the course. The accommodation includes a kitchen with fridges and cookers.
Summer Alpine Course
What does the course cover?
The course aims to cover essential alpine skills such as movement on snow and ice with and without crampons, use of an axe in an alpine environment, rope work for safe and efficient travel on glaciers and mixed terrain, and awareness of alpine hazards.
The course will look at how to tackle an alpine route including the use of guidebooks and maps, timings for an alpine day, using huts, an understanding of grades, and choosing appropriate routes.
The focus on rope work will be on alpine techniques for glacier travel and easy mixed ground, and will include snow and ice anchors as well as emergency techniques such as crevasse rescue. With some groups, a greater focus on rock routes may be appropriate.
What experience do I need in order to apply for this course?
Successful applicants will be able to demonstrate a committed interest in climbing and mountaineering. They will have significant experience of climbing or scrambling in the UK, likely have winter climbing experience and be familiar with the use of ice axe and crampons.
Which of the course dates will I end up on?
The application form enables you to put down first, second and third choice dates. So if your application is successful, you will either be allocated to that date or, if your first choice is over-subscribed, to one of your other choices.
If your application is not strong enough to receive a place immediately, you will be put on a reserve list. Whether you then receive a place will depend on which date(s) we receive cancellations for and whether that is one of your preferred dates.
We receive quite a few cancellations just after the selections have been made and applicants have been informed in March. Cancellations diminish during April and May.
What equipment do I need in order to attend this course?
If your application is successful, you will be sent a full kit list with more detail on all of the items. Broadly, you will require:
A general mountaineering ice axe
12-point crampons
Helmet
Harness
Rucksack, 35-45 litres
Belay device and locking karabiner
Crevasse Rescue Kit comprising: Ice screws (1-2) – min 17cm (if you have them), on a karabiner; 2 x 120cm slings (length), with their own karabiners; 3 x screwgate karabiners (additional to the above, including one large HMS type); 2 or 3 prusik loops of 5-6mm cord on a snap gate.
Gloves (1 thin, 1 thick minimum)
Sunglasses with side protection or tinted prescription glasses (category 4)
Warm clothes
Waterproof jacket and trousers
Gaiters
Sunhat
Sun cream (factor 30 minimum)
Water bottle (1 litre minimum)
Boots (B2/B3)
Emergency kit comprising: head torch, emergency bivi bag and a first aid Kit including strapping for blisters
Your instructor will carry a first aid kit for the group but you should also bring your own. If you have a medical condition that requires medication, you should carry this with you and make your instructor aware of where you’ve stored it and how to administer it.
Note: If you plan to stay on after the course to climb, you will require additional equipment which, for the course, is provided by the guides. This includes a rope, protection and ice screws.
Is it okay to bring a technical ice axe, rather than the recommended general purpose alpine axe?
It’s much better to have a general purpose alpine ice axe but if this is not possible, a technical axe should suffice. You should not bring a long straight-shafted walking axe.
Are B2 boots sufficient?
Yes, as long as you have well-fitting C2 crampons and are happy climbing on Diff/VDiff terrain while wearing them.
What lift pass should I buy?
Don't buy a lift pass until you get out there. The guides will advise you on the best pass to buy at the time as this varies depending on the weather and conditions.
Do I have to bring my own ice screws?
No. The guides can lend them out if necessary.
What guidebook should I buy?
You don’t need to buy a guidebook for the course. If you want one or are sticking around after the course, the best English language guidebook is the Rockfax Chamonix guide, which is also available on the Rockfax App. Many guidebooks are also available locally if required.
If I’m offered a place, how long do I have to confirm?
If selected, it is important that you confirm acceptance of your place with our course provider Peak Mountain Training within two weeks of receiving your offer. Otherwise your place will be re-allocated to someone else.
What if I need to cancel?
If, after you have confirmed your acceptance you have to cancel your place for any reason please contact Peak Mountain Training immediately.
In the event of cancellation, your fee will be refunded provided that Peak Mountain Training receives notice of the cancellation at least 28 days before the start of your course and a replacement can be found.
Apart from in exceptional circumstances, in the event that you fail to give any reasonable notice to Peak Mountain Training that you cannot attend the course, you will be liable for the full un-subsidised cost of the course (£400).
What about food and accommodation?
Accommodation and food are not included in the course fee and is to be arranged by the course participants.
It is recommended that you stay in the Argentière area immediately before and during the course so that communication with your Guide is made easier. Les Chosalets Camping / Camping du Glacier d’Argentiere is the campsite that many Conville course participants stay at whilst participating on the course.
Please contact Les Chosalets Camping directly for all enquiries about the campsite (Tel: 00 33 4 50 54 17 36 / Fax: 00 33 4 50 54 03 73). It is a friendly, well-equipped and well-run site that is popular with British climbers.
For alternative accommodation please see the Argentière/Chamonix website or contact the Argentière Tourist Board on Tel: 00 33 450 54 02 14.
Will I need insurance?
It is essential that you are adequately insured (to cover France, Switzerland and Italy) including cover for search and rescue, emergency medical expenses and repatriation in the event of you becoming ill or being injured in a mountaineering accident. Your Guide will ask for your insurance certificate at the start of the course. You will need to carry proof of insurance during the course.
The BMC has worked in partnership with the Jonathan Conville Memorial Trust for over three decades and provides competitively priced travel insurance. The BMC ‘Alpine & Ski’ policy is a specialist product aimed at those who are participating in alpine activities abroad. Find out more on this BMC landing page for Jonathan Conville Memorial Trust students.
You may be able to find travel insurance that is cheaper than BMC Travel Insurance but you should make sure that the cover meets the essential requirements set out above.
What other additional costs do I need to consider?
Apart from the costs of attending the course itself, accommodation, insurance and food, you should expect to spend on other items such as:
Transportation: A flight to Geneva or Lyon and a transfer to Chamonix or direct transport to Chamonix such as a coach, train or driving by car.
Uplift: Guides will discuss lift pass options with you depending on weather and how long you plan to stay after the course. It is usual to get a lift up each day of the course. It is cheaper to buy a multi-day pass valid for multiple areas. For more information on lift costs, see here. You do not need to buy a lift pass before your course starts, your guide will advise the most suitable version to purchase on the first morning.
Travel to Courses
Is travel included in the cost of my course?
In-course travel is included in the cost of our Scottish Winter and Alpine Preparation courses. The Scottish course includes a transfer to Aviemore train station at the end of the course.
In the case of all of our courses, you will have to arrange travel to the course location yourself.
We encourage attendees to consider how they travel to our courses and to try and reduce their environmental impact. The effects of climate change are being felt around the world and particularly in the mountains which are warming faster than other regions, threatening mountain stability and the existence of glaciers.
Travelling by train or sharing lifts by car produces far less carbon than flying and we would encourage attendees to consider these options.
Booking in advance can help to significantly reduce the cost of train travel and we recommend Seat61 as a resource to help with your booking.
If you would like to offer or request a lift share with your course mates, you will have the opportunity to do this if you choose to be added to the relevant course WhatsApp group ahead of the course.