This year the NSAC is organizing the Winter Program from February 1st to 21st. The program includes a wide range of courses, from beginner to advanced. Whether you ski, snowboard, prefer ski touring, or freeride — there’s a perfect course waiting for you! There will also be an ice climbing course, designed for those who already have alpine experience in summer and are ready to take the next step into winter alpinism.
Registrations
Registrations open at the beginning of October and will remain online until the end of October. More information can be found [here].
Kick-off
In November there will be a Kick-off Day, which is an official part of your course (participation is mandatory). The price for this day is already included in your course fee. More information will follow after registration.
WP-Committee 2026
Meet this year’s WP-committee: Monty, Aimée, Mariël, Leon, Bo and Esther! A colorful mix of winter sports fanatics — from fresh piste heroes to seasoned off-piste adventurers, and everything in between. What unites us? A huge dose of enthusiasm for snow, mountains, and good times together.
For some of us, it all started with a basic piste course that sparked so much excitement we jumped straight into organizing. Others have been skiing or snowboarding for years, teaching, touring valleys, or proving their expertise in après-ski bars. Together, we’re the team that will make WP 2026 happen.
This year feels extra special because we get to set up camp in the homeland of our very own Winter King Monty: Austria! 🎿🇦🇹 And trust us: he can’t wait to share his love for the mountains with you.
What do we do as a committee?
Well… everything! 😎 From top to valley, we make sure the Winter Program comes to life:
- We arrange the chalet where everyone sleeps, eats, and celebrates.
- We select the area and dates.
- We organize all the courses and match them with the right instructors.
- We make sure there’s a cooking team to serve up daily meals.
- We keep a sharp eye on the budget.
- We promote the WP and host a big kick-off.
- And of course, we’re here to answer all your questions.
In short: without us there’s no WP. But with us? You’re in for a winter adventure you’ll never forget. 😉
See you in the mountains! 🏔️❄️🍻
For more information, you can always contact the Alpine Coordinator (AC) of your own SAC, or reach out to us, the WP-committee, via wp@nsac.alpenclub.nl.
Who are we?
🌟 Monty – our Winter King
This year Monty has the honor of being our Winter King. With his Austrian roots, it feels extra special that the WP will take place in his home country.
Monty discovered the Winter Program three years ago with the ASS3 course and was instantly hooked. The following year he spent three weeks in the WP chalet, and not long after that he spent an entire winter in the Alps — skiing every single day. Since then, things have gotten a little out of hand 😉.
With his boundless enthusiasm and instructor experience, Monty makes sure this Winter Program will be one to remember. He’s already looking forward to sharing the slopes, the powder, and the après-ski with all of you.
🐐 Leon – our mountain goat
Leon is the most fanatical of the bunch: a true mountain goat who loves long traverses, steep ice walls, and just “one more summit.” Whether it’s ski touring, ice climbing, or simply squeezing in an extra adventure at the end of the day, Leon is always up for it.
This year, he’s also the mastermind behind the Kick-off Day. So not only will he push the pace in the mountains, he’ll also make sure the WP starts with a bang. And if you lose track of him during the program? Chances are he’s already knee-deep in powder, happily plotting the next route.
👑 Mariël – our climbing princess & word wizard
I’m in charge of the ski instructors and the promotion of the WP — which also means I’m the one writing these texts. Hello there! 👋
They call me the climbing princess of the committee: partly because I’ve been climbing fanatically since I was eight, and partly because… well… I can be a bit of a spoiled princess (oops 🙈). I love comfort, and I never skip a visit to the local patisserie on holiday. Spot someone smiling over a fancy pastry this winter? That’ll be me. And yes, I’m already dreaming of Austrian cakes. 🍰
On skis, I’m the least experienced of the committee — last year I completed ASS3 — but I make up for it with years of climbing experience and plenty of enthusiasm. Being the oldest member of the team helps too 😉. I can’t wait to dive into the mountains with all of you this winter!
⛷️ Bo – our youngest mountain fanatic & registrations
Bo is in charge of the registrations, so the moment you sign up for a course, he’s the one keeping things organized behind the scenes.
He may be the youngest member of the committee, but his passion for the mountains is anything but small. Bo loves climbing, started alpine climbing last summer, and is already preparing for his C2 next summer. Still, winter has his heart the most: he’s a big fan of ski touring and is eager to dive deeper into the world of winter alpinism.
Youngest or not — don’t be surprised if Bo is the first one to the top. 😉
🏔️ Aimée – queen of ski touring & ice climbing
Aimée is basically a sports machine in disguise. Last year she competed in the Dutch Championships in ski touringand the Dutch Championships in ice climbing — yes, both! 😱 But if you ask her about it, she’ll tell the story so casually you’d think she’s talking about a quick jog around the block.
Her modesty makes it even cooler, because Aimée isn’t just incredibly strong in the mountains, she’s also one of the driving forces behind the WP. This year she’s organizing the ice climbing course and helping with registrations. So whether you’re roped in on the ice or signing up for a course, Aimée will have played a part.
💶 Esther – our financial rock
Esther is the one who keeps the finances of the Winter Program under control. Thanks to her, the budget is in good hands, and everything from the chalet to the cooking crew is covered.
She’ll be the first to admit she never has enough vacation days (and honestly, who does?). If it were up to her, she’d spend much more time in the mountains. Until then, she makes sure the rest of us can enjoy the WP without any financial worries.