FAQ -Choosing the Right Course

Alpine Guides' climbing instruction courses allow for entry at any level - as long as you meet the prerequisites. You do not need to do one course to 'qualify' for the next 'level' if you have the right experience.

When choosing a course, the first step is always to ask yourself, "What do I want to achieve from this course? What are my goals for the mountains in the short and long term? Is this a one-off or a pathway to something more?".

For example, some courses do not always involve climbing in glaciated terrain, so glacier travel and crevasse rescue may not be taught. Most courses only run at the time of year suitable for the type of instruction delivered.

Our “core” climbing courses

Mountain Skills Course

(MSC)

Intro level

Winter - essential skills

Mountain Experience Course

(MEC)

Intro level

Summer - all-round skills, non-glaciated.

Expedition Training Course

(ETC)

Intro to intermediate

Specialised "7-summits" course

Alpine Skills Course

(ASC)

Intermediate level

Climbing in glaciated terrain

Technical Mountaineering Course

(TMC)

Advanced course

Taking it further

Mt Aspiring Skills & Summit Course

Train and attempt Mt Aspiring

Best as a one-off

Or, Take A Quiz

This quiz will help you decide between our 4 core instruction courses.

The Glacier Training Course and Expedition Training Courses are specific, and we hope, speak for themselves.

The Aspiring Skills and Summit Course is more of a “one-off”. This is better for those people who maybe do not have any longer-term mountaineering ambitions.

As always, if in doubt, please contact us for a chat.