Are you a would-be ski mountaineer? The kind folks at the Alpine Ski Club might be able to help.
As the nights draw in, it’s time to plan a snowy outdoors adventure for later in the year. So what challenges do you have up your sleeve this winter? A ski mountaineering expedition, maybe?
Nope, we aren’t predicting a bumper snow season in Scotland – dream on – but we have some good news anyway. The BMC is reporting that the Alpine Ski Club has a small stash of cash ready to help would-be ski mountaineers.
Who’s it for?
The idea is to inspire future ski mountaineers - and looking at some pictures of ski mountaineering we’re already feeling pretty inspired. But to qualify for a grant, you have to be either young or inexperienced at the sport.
We’re not quite sure which age groups count as ‘young’, although sadly we reckon that sixty or so doesn’t quite countL Still, if you’re ‘inexperienced’, that qualifies too.
What’s it for?
To get you started safely, there are grants for professional ski mountaineering courses. And if you’re ready to set your sights a bit higher, there’s also some cash for expeditions that ‘include an element of exploration’.
The Alpine Ski Club has a good track record in this department, as they’ve recently supported expeditions to Greenland and the Himalayas. Mmmm, skiing in Greenland – it sounds great.
To qualify for a grant, you could also be doing a research project on ski mountaineering, or, we quote, ‘other activities, which further the knowledge and practice of safe movement in the mountains on ski’.
Why?
We may joke a fair bit but of course there is a serious aim to all this. The Alpine Ski Club want people to be inspired by the mountains, and to fully appreciate them, whether or not they haven’t had the chance before. And they also want to make sure that ski mountaineering is as safe and rewarding is possible. All sounds good to us.
How much?
There’s up to £250 per skier on the table for ski mountaineering courses, and up to £500 to go towards an expedition. OK, so you still have to reach well into your own pocket, but it’s a handy contribution nonetheless, and a good opportunity if you’ve had your eye on ski mountaineering for a while but the cost has put you off.
How do I apply?
You need to email Ian Steen to get full details, and apply by December at the latest.
There are bound to be a lot more aspiring ski mountaineers than grants, so obviously there’s no guarantee of funding, but you never know. Nothing ventured, nothing gained and all that.
Full details from the BMC.
Good luck!
