Hello and welcome back to the blog for the Chamois Mountaineering Club. In this blog I thought we could take a look at our amazing facility the Chamois Mountaineering Centre itself and have a look at the fantastic self catering accommodation it offers close to Llanberis in Snowdonia. The Chamois Mountaineering Centre is owned and run by the Chamois Mountaineering Club and it offers self catering accommodation close to Llanberis for groups, university climbing clubs, walking clubs, school groups and any group wishing to have access to the hills around Llanberis. The centre due to its proximity to Llanberis offers easy access to the heart of Snowdonia, the Snowdon Mountain Railway, Snowdon itself and all of the other amazing mountains that form Snowdonia. There are 43 beds for hire, all of which are bunk beds and it is ideal for large groups looking for self catering accommodation near Llanberis.
General Description
The Chamois Mountaineering Centre offers 43 beds (all bunk beds) for hire close to Llanberis. It provides self catering accommodation near Llanberis for groups wishing to get out into Snowdonia and the surrounding countryside. The centre has two floors with sleeping/washing facilities on the 1st floor and cooking and socialising on the ground floor. We have a spacious communal kitchen with enough catering facilities for larger groups to dine comfortably. In the kitchen are microwaves, gas hobs, ovens, toasters, kettles, cutlery, crockery and good seating. There is also a spacious dining room where everyone in the group can eat together and have a chat after a day out on the hills. Socialising and discussing activities for the next day will generally take place in the common room /lounge which has a real coal fire to keep everyone toasty even on the coldest of nights. In order to keep you comfortable in the Welsh winter we have central heating which can be started very quickly. Free WIFI is available and there is a large free car park outside the centre; coaches can navigate the road up to the centre with care. Should the Llanberis weather let you down we have an excellent drying room to get all your gear dry and for storing all your gear there is a large boot and equipment room. Should the Llanberis area weather come good then there is a verandah at the rear with a stunning view of Anglesey and we also have several benches at the front to enjoy a drink in the evening sunshine. If you are looking for self catering accommodation close to Llanberis in Snowdonia, North Wales the Chamois Mountaineering Centre really is a special place.
The Chamois Mountaineering Centre is close to Llanberis and really is ideally situated for large groups wishing to walk in the hills, go mountain biking, climbing, trail running or anyone of the multitude of activities that the Llanberis area has to offer.
Facilities in Detail
Having looked in general detail at the facilities and where the centre is located near Llanberis it might now be helpful to examine more closely the facilities that the Chamois Mountaineering Centre offers anyone looking for self-catering accommodation in Llanberis, North Wales.
Cooking & Dining Facilities:
We have a large kitchen with all modern amenities such as gas hobs, ovens, fridges, freezers, microwaves and toasters. You can access boiling water on tap from a large boiler and we also have kettles available. In the kitchen there is a large table for preparing and eating food and we have a large array of cutlery, crockery and pots and pans that should enable you to prepare any type and size of meal. Next to the kitchen is a spacious dining room where you can have meals together if you wish. If you are looking for self catering accommodation near Llanberis for large groups the Chamois Mountaineering Centre really does have excellent cooking and dining facilities.
Sleeping:
All our bedrooms are situated upstairs on the first floor which is accessed via the stairs in the main entrance hall and we are able to sleep 43 people. Each room has bunk beds, comfortable mattresses and pillows for your usage, you will need to bring a mattress and pillow cover. Each bedrooms is accessed via the corridor upstairs and there is easy access to both the male and female washrooms and toilets off this corridor. Electronic devices can be charged from the USB charging points in the bedrooms and WIFI generally reaches each bedroom. As the centre offers bunkhouse style accommodation you do need to bring your own sleeping bag, pillowcase and mattress cover. If you are looking for bunkhouse self-catering accommodation in Snowdonia, close to Llanberis then the centre is ideal.
Washing Facilities
As a mountaineering club we all know that after a day out in the mountains of Snowdonia or just simply exploring North Wales and the Llanberis area having a warm shower and feeling clean is important. Therefore, we have invested heavily in our washing facilities so that everyone can have a great shower and feel clean and refreshed. Upstairs we have separate male and female washrooms with a shower and a toilet in each. The showers are warm and the washrooms are kept clean. Downstairs we have another shower and toilet.
Socialising
Getting out in the hills of Snowdonia and exploring around Llanberis is important but we also understand that being able to sit down together and enjoy a chat (and possibly a drink or two!) makes the weekend all that much better. So, we have a large common room available for you where everyone can sit down and get together. The common room has a fantastic real coal fire which (from experience I can tell you!) can make even the wettest Welsh weather feel great. In the common room we have ample sofas with a strong WIFI signal meaning that if you want to check emails, look at tomorrow’s route, plan activities or simply watch a film you can.
Drying Room
We are a mountaineering club and have spent many days out in the mountains of Snowdonia and we know the value of having a place to dry your gear after a day out in the mountains of Snowdonia. As such for your usage we have a great drying room that will help get your equipment nice and dry for the next day’s adventures.
Boot Room
On the ground floor next to the main hall and very close to the front door is a large room where you can leave all of your equipment and make it ready for the next day. In our “boot room” you will be able to keep all of your gear that has got dirty from the day’s activities and will also be able to get ready all of your gear and rucksacks for the coming day.
Decking
North Wales does have some amazing weather (okay not all the time!) but sometimes it does indeed turn on the views and so at the back of the building we have built a verandah/decking for you to enjoy a drink on. The decking especially gets the sun in the morning and gives amazing views of Anglesey, Snowdonia, Llanberis, Caernarfon and Bangor.
Front of Centre
Outside, at the front we have a large grass lawn equipped with a table and a couple of benches for relaxing and enjoying the views of the mountains of Snowdonia. Evenings at the centre can be truly amazing and relaxing with a drink in hand whilst watching the sun set slowly over Anglesey is a memorable experience.
Parking
We have an extremely large and free car park at the front of the building where you can leave any vehicles. The car park can hold up to 20 cars and a coach or two. If you are coming in a coach then you should be able to get up the road with some care.
Access to Llanberis, Snowdonia & Anglesey
We have a separate blog dealing with activities and access to the areas around Llanberis and Snowdonia but it is still worth highlighting that one of the best features of the Chamois Mountaineering Centre is that it gives you very easy access to Snowdonia, Anglesey. Llanberis and Snowdon itself. We really do have amazingly easy access to Llanberis and all of the mountains of Snowdonia. The centre is quite high up and from our elevated position you can quickly spot where the best weather is and head that way.
To summarise The Chamois Mountaineering Centre provides self-catering bunkhouse style accommodation a short drive from Llanberis itself and Caernarfon. All of the popular paths up Snowdon can be reached quickly and easily and in fact one can walk up from the back of the centre over Moel Eilio and along a ridge to Snowdon. Mountain ranges such as the Carneddau and Glyders can be seen from the centre and easily accessed within 20 minutes driving. Beddgelert and the Nantlle Valley are not very far and if the weather is inclement in the hills the Lleyn Peninsula and Anglesey are within easy reach.
Okay, I think that is enough for this blog. In the next blog we will have a look at some of the activities and areas that are easily accessed from the centre. To finish: should you be wishing to book large group self-catering accommodation in the heart of North Wales, only a short drive from Llanberis and with great access to the mountains of Snowdonia and Snowdon itself then look no further!