Home

Welcome!

Welcome to Plas y Brenin, The National Mountain Sports Centre.

As one of Sport England's three National Centres, Plas y Brenin is based in Snowdonia, North Wales.

Our incredible location allows us to run a year round programme of mountain sports and outdoor activities catering for every level of competence, experience and ability.

Plas y Brenin is managed by The Mountain Training Trust (MTT) on behalf of Sport England. As a registered Charity MTT is committed to ensuring any surplus generated is channelled directly back into mountain sport and providing the best possible opportunities at the most affordable price.
Personal Skills (Land)

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

Mountain Lifestyle

Adventure Sports

Hillwalking & Navigation

Scrambling & Mountaineering

Rock
Climbing

Alpine Mountaineering

Mountain Biking

Road Cycling

First Aid Courses

Welsh Winter Mountaineering

Scottish Winter Mountaineering

Off Piste Skiing & Ski Touring

Rapid Development Clinics

Staying with us for a four week Rapid Development Clinic and you'll receive coaching and instruction Monday to Friday, leaving you free to either rest or explore the mountains, crags and sea cliffs of North Wales under your own steam at the weekends. (This all-inclusive course includes seven-day-a-week accommodation on-site at Plas y Brenin). With no previous experience necessary this programme is an ideal opportunity for anyone who's always wanted to be a climber or a mountaineer who can devote a month as part of an extended holiday or career break. Find out more
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

Rapid Development Clinics

Staying with us for a four week Rapid Development Clinic and you'll receive coaching and instruction Monday to Friday, leaving you free to either rest or explore the rivers, lakes and coastal waters of North Wales under your own steam at the weekends. (This all-inclusive course includes seven-day-a-week accommodation on-site at Plas y Brenin). With no previous experience necessary this programme is an ideal opportunity for anyone who's always wanted to be a paddler who can devote a month as part of an extended holiday or career break. Find out more

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.
Families

Courses & Holidays For Families, Kids and Parents

Family Adventure Holidays

Young Persons Academy
(12-17 years)

Courses For Outdoor Parents

Taster Days

Duke Of Edinburgh's Award Gold

Bespoke Enquiries

Self Catering Accommodation

Our self catering accommodation units make a great destination for a family holiday in the mountains. Moelwyn and Bryn Engan Cottage both sleep up to 16 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.
Leadership & Coaching

Courses For Instructors, Coaches and Leaders In The Outdoors

Mountain Leadership

Climbing
Coaching

Mountain Bike Leadership

First Aid Courses

Kayak
Coaching

Canoe
Coaching

Sea Kayak Coaching

W.W. Safety & Rescue

Orienteering Coaching

Expedition Leadership

Duke Of Edinburgh's Award

Bespoke Leadership &
Coaching Courses

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.
Groups

Breaks & Activities and For Groups

Adventure Experiences

Taster Days

Team Development

Bespoke Enquiries

Accommodation For Groups

Our self catering accommodation units make a highly affordable destination for your group adventures. Moelwyn and Bryn Engan Cottage both sleep up to 16 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
Last Minute Deals

Keep an eye on our Packed & Ready page for some amazing last minute deals. Huge Bargains, but you'll need your bags packed because these offers are truly last minuteCheck out the deals

Last minute offers on our self catering accommodation units. Keep an ey eon this page and secure you and your mates a late break bargain deal Check out the deals
Info
General Information & Other Stuff
Last Minute Deals

Keep an eye on our Packed & Ready page for some amazing last minute deals. Huge Bargains, but you'll need your bags packed because these offers are truly last minuteCheck out the deals

Last minute offers on our self catering accommodation units. Keep an eye on this page and secure you and your mates a late break bargain deal Check out the deals

Test Your Outdoor Knowledge with our Interactive Quizzes

Find out how much you really know about the outdoors in one of our interactive online quizes. Click on a subject below and answer the questions to reveal the depth of your knowledge. Check your score, then choose to try and improve your score or just to take a look at the answers.

Mountain Navigation Quiz

Test your navigation brain matter to the limit in this tough mountain navigation quiz from Tom Hecht.

Short Term Memory Test 2

We got so much good feedback about the first memory test that we threw another one together. This one is bigger, better and much tougher. Good luck and may the force be with you.

Short Term Memory Test

Reckon your powers of observation and recollection are pretty good eh?
Find out how good they really are in this quick-fire 'just for fun' test.

Mountain Marathon Quiz

Think you know a thing or two about mountain marathons? Find out how much you really know in this quick fire OMM quiz

Wild Flowers And Plants Quiz

How well do you knopw your wild flowers and plants? Test your knowledge in this quick interactive quiz

Sea Kayaking Quiz

Level Five Sea Kayak Coach Dave Brown asks a few testing questions in his Sea Kayak General Knowledge Quiz.

Geology Quiz - Know Your Rocks

How much do you know about rocks? Take Mike Raines simple test and find out.

Rock Climbing Quiz

Think you know your rock climbing routes and crags? Find out how much you really know in Mike Raine's Rock Climbing Quiz.

Snowdonia Environmental Quiz

Think you know something about the plants, wildlife, geology and geography of the Welsh mountains? Find out how much you really know on Mike Raine's Environmental quiz page.

Winter Mountaineering Quiz

Find out how much you really know about Winter Climbing and Mounatineering in Stu McAleese's in-depth winter quiz.

International Enviro Quiz

Test your knowledge of the UK and Alpine mountain environment with Phil Dowthwaite's latest set of brainteasers.

Self Catering Holiday Cottages in Snowdonia Ideal For Groups

Mountain Bike & Road Cycling Weekend Break

discount hillwalking, mountaineering and climbing courses for BMC members

Big Events 2013

We have a long list of Big Events lined up for 2013. Check them all out here:

Find out more

Accommodation For Clubs and Groups In Snowdonia

Climbing Clubs, Cycling Clubs, Canoe Clubs DofE groups or even just a gang of mates? Our handy self catering accommodation units make an ideal base for your adventures.

Find out more