Welcome to CMC Instruction for 2025! The club runs many instruction courses covering rock, snow, ice & mixed, avalanche awareness, ski-mountaineering, first aid and trad climbing! These courses are for CMC members only, you must have an in date membership to sign up for a course. Winter alpine courses usually run from June until September and are added to the website at the end of March/Beginning of April. Rock climbing courses are added in the summer months.

Before signing up to a course please make sure you have read the requirements for experience and gear lists, and also that you are available all of the days that the course falls on.

Instructors

All mountaineering courses are run by professional instructors at an instructor to student ratio of 1:4 (except for avalanche awareness which is 1:6).

Accomodation

Courses are normally based at one of the Club’s base huts (Wyn Irwin at Mt Cook or Kennedy Lodge at Arthur’s Pass), these are self contained, shared accomodation although some courses may be based at alpine huts or make use of tents or snow shelters. There are also a few day courses that are based in Christchurch.

Equipment

Participants are expected to have their own climbing gear (including ropes, protection, skis, depending on the course). Some equipment can be hired from outdoor shops (e.g. Bivouac) if necessary. A general gear list is available, but your instructor may provide you with further advice on the gear you should bring. Your instructors are happy to answer any questions in advance of the course.

Payment

To pay for a course, click on the course, fill out your details and process payment via credit card. Payment is required to confirm your place on the course.

Refunds

All courses will require a non refundable $50 deposit. We have a refund policy to protect the club from financial loss, regardless of injury or any other reason. Cancel more than:

4 weeks prior to course start date = 100% Refund (Minus $50 deposit).

2 – 4 weeks = 80% refund.

5 days – 2 weeks = 50% refund.

Less than 5 days = 0% refund.

Minors

People under 18 are welcome to join the CMC courses but they must be accompanied by an adult.

Contact

If you have any questions, contact the Instruction Coordinator, Jamie Macalister ([email protected]). Around 2 weeks before the course, you will be put in a chat group with other participants to discuss car-pooling, food, and gear and ask questions about the course.

Resources

Click here to see links to useful technical information that will assist with these courses.

Waitlist

If you would like to attend a course that is full or not showing, please sign up to the Waiting List.

Last minute spaces and updates to availbility are often shared on our Facebook page

 

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