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.
Mountain Skills Couse (MSC) - an introduction to snow and ice
Mountain Experience Course (MEC) - an introduction to general mountaineering skills
Alpine Skills Course (ASC) - an introduction to alpine climbing (glaciated terrain)
Technical Mountaineering Course (TMC) - a comprehensive 10-day course for experienced alpinists
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.