Register
UIMLA

Important:

UIMLA (Union of International Mountain Leader Associations) is the international federation that governs the International Mountain Leader qualification. BAIML (British Association of International Mountain Leaders) is a member of UIMLA.

 

On 2nd November 2024 UIMLA, including BAIML, unanimously agreed to a revised 'Standard' for the International Mountain Leader qualification. This added a number of new requirements. You can find this “UIMLA 2024 Standard” here.

 

For anyone who has not yet begun their training before 1st Jan 2026 this new “2024 Standard” will form the basis for the training, assessment, qualification and membership programme that they will undertake. Minimum requirements and course information can be found in the 2024 Standard tab.

 

For anyone who has already begun their training, they will either complete their IML qualification by the end of 2027 under the “2012 Standard”, or complete the training programme under the new “2024 Standard” into 2028 and beyond. Our Candidate Management System will ultimately record everyone as having gained an IML qualification, irrespective of the Standard used. Minimum requirements and course information can be found in the 2012 Standard tab.

 

2024 Standard

Key info

Must already hold: Mountain Leader
Registration is an application process and requires approval from Mountain Training UK & Ireland
Training: Summer training is 5 days, winter training is a 6 day course AND a 4 day course or equivalent (all required), plus additional training in travel risk management, safeguarding and sustainability
Assessment: Timed navigation test (typically part of summer training), summer assessment is 4 days, winter assessment is 6 days (a pass at all assessments required)

Average time from training to passing assessment: 2.6 years

Ideal for: Experienced Mountain Leaders with international trekking experience who want to learn how to lead groups outside the UK and Ireland.

Registration

To register
  • You must have passed Mountain Leader assessment
  • You must have recorded a minimum of 20 quality international summer mountain days* in DLOG
  • You must have recorded 20 quality winter days* in the UK or overseas in DLOG
  • You must have a referee endorsing your experience in DLOG
  • You must register for the International Mountain Leader qualification through your tahdah account (cost: £103)
  • You must click the ‘Send to MT’ button to let us know your DLOG is ready to be reviewed
  • Your logbook will then be reviewed by a Mountain Training UK & Ireland technical officer – this can take up to 30 days

 

BAIML membership

 

 

After your registration has been approved, you will be invited to join BAIML as an Aspirant Member for free until the end of the membership year (31st December).

 

BAIML supports aspirant and qualified International Mountain Leaders in the UK and represents them at the Union of International Mountain Leader Associations. BAIML offers a range of workshops for trainee and qualified leaders as well as a quarterly magazine, gear deals/discounts, a monthly newsletter and an insurance deal.

Summer training

To book a summer training course
  • Your International Mountain Leader registration must have been approved

 

International Mountain Leader summer training lasts for five days and will cover:

  • The summer elements of the International Mountain Leader syllabus
  • What to expect at assessment
  • Timed navigation test
  • Feedback and areas to focus on prior to assessment

Summer assessment

The International Mountain Leader Summer assessment is four days long and is based outside the UK.

 

The summer assessment can be attended before or after winter training.

 

To book a summer assessment course
  • You must have completed International Mountain Leader summer training (there is no exemption from training)
  • You must have gained further experience since completing the summer training over at least 3 months
  • You must have logged:
    • 10 quality international summer days
  • You must be familiar with the syllabus
  • You must have passed the timed navigation test

Winter training

To book either of the winter training courses
  • You must have completed International Mountain Leader summer training
  • You must have some experience on snowshoes

 

International Mountain Leader winter training is delivered in two modules.

 

Module 1 is a 6 day course, delivered in mainland Europe by an MTUKI approved IML provider and covers:

  • The winter elements of the International Mountain Leader syllabus that apply to walking on soft snow and the use of snow shoes.
  • What to expect at winter assessment.
  • Feedback and areas to focus on prior to assessment.

 

Module 2 covers the winter elements of the International Mountain Leader syllabus that apply to walking on hard snow, including the use of ice axes and foot traction devices including crampons.

 

There are three ways to satisfy the requirements of Module 2:

  • Attend an IML winter training module 2 course from an MTUKI approved IML provider (4 days); or

  • Complete an MTUKI (MTS) Winter Mountain Leader training course (or assessment, if exemption was gained for training); or

  • Attend a comparable minimum 4 day winter skills course. You will need to apply to MTUKI for accreditation of prior learning. You are encouraged to check if a provider can deliver accredited training before attending a course.

Winter assessment

To book winter assessment
  • You must have passed the International Mountain Leader summer assessment
  • You must have completed International Mountain Leader winter training module 1
  • You must have completed International Mountain Leader winter training module 2, or one of the approved alternatives outlined above
    (It is recommended that candidates allow 6 months between winter training and assessment)
  • You must be familiar with the syllabus
  • You must have logged the following experience in a variety of mountain terrain:
    • 30 quality international summer days
    • 40 quality winter days (of which at least 10 should be overseas, 13 on snowshoes)
    • 10 leadership days (could be within any of the 70 above) - 3 with reflective comments
  • You must have a current first aid certificate, gained by completing an in-person (not online) course which involved at least two full days or sixteen hours of instruction and included an element of assessment.
To achieve a Pass result at winter assessment
  • You must have completed the following 3 modules provided by BAIML:

    • A minimum 6-hour course in Travel Risk Management supplemented by course discussions and self-directed learning tasks during the scheme such that the accumulated effort is approximately 12 hours.

       

    • A minimum 6-hour course in Environment Awareness, Sustainability and Minimum Impact supplemented by course discussions and self-directed learning tasks during the scheme such that the accumulated effort is approximately 12 hours.

       

    • A minimum of 6 hours learning from recognised standard Safeguarding courses. Ideally, at least 3 hours should be specific to the activities of the IML.

 

Winter assessment is the final element of the International Mountain Leader qualification. 

2012 Standard
Resources

Candidate handbook last updated: August 2025

International Mountain Leader candidate handbook
Meet a leader

Other qualifications

Doesn't sound like the right qualification for you? Consider the following:

Mountain Leader

Winter Mountain Leader

Working as an International Mountain Leader