Membership in Mountains and People Association and UIMLA

Mountains and People – Bulgarian Association of Mountain Leaders and Mountain Guides

Bulgarian Association of Mountain Leaders and Mountain Guides

Why Join the Association?

The Leading Association in Bulgaria

The organization with the greatest contribution to the creation and development of the mountain leader profession.

The Largest Guild of Mountain Guides

The only and largest association of mountain leaders in Bulgaria

Opportunity for UIMLA Membership

Every member of the association can become a member of the International Mountain Leaders Association (UIMLA).

We are united by active mountain leaders, activists, mountain lovers, and more. If you want to learn the latest about mountain tourism and mountaineering, how to spend your time in the mountains most effectively and safely, or how to take friends and family there, your place is in the Association.

“Mountains and People” Association is a proven, institutionally recognized civil association with a significant membership base.

Annually, we organize refresher courses for mountain leaders according to the standards of UIMLA, training for ski and bike guides, as well as courses in ice climbing, botany, and ornithology.

If you are a certified mountain leader and a regular member of “Mountains and People,” you can become a member of UIMLA, which will allow you to easily practice your profession in 30 countries around the world.

Membership is a matter of honor. It opens up opportunities for practicing the profession in Europe and other countries where it is regulated, provides discounts in equipment stores, and opportunities for upgrading skills and additional qualifications.

Every member of the association is eligible for a benefits package offering exclusive discounts and preferential terms from our partner network.

Member Benefits (as of March 26, 2025)

Every member of the association can take advantage of a package with better terms when shopping or using services from the association’s partners.

  1. Next Level Fitness: Provides a bonus period with every purchased monthly subscription (Basic Fitness) at all Next Level locations.
  2. Momentum Climbing – Walltopia: Discounts for mountain guides who are members of the association. Includes access to the hall and the possibility of organizing courses/training without additional hall fees (participants only pay the standard entry fee).
  3. STENATA Store: Special discount for members on all non-discounted items (excluding PETZL) after March 12, 2025.
  4. BaseCamp: Discount pending negotiation.
  5. Professional Liability Insurance: Discounts on Professional Liability Insurance for Mountain Guides are pending negotiation for specific percentages under different policy conditions.
Initial Registration Fee – Mountains and People / UIMLA

100 BGN

/per organisation
  • Association/UIMLA patch
  • Association/UIMLA badge
  • Карта на UILMA
  • UIMLA card
  • Annual membership fee UIMLA

The total combined fee for membership in both organizations is 200 BGN.

Membership
Annual Fee - Mountains and People

50 BGN

/Year
  • Annual membership fee
Renew
Annual Fee - UIMLA

50 BGN

/Year
  • Annual Membership fee
Renew
Any Questions?

FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

  • You become part of the community of mountain leaders and mountain guides in Bulgaria and actively participate in the association’s activities.
  • As a member, you get the opportunity to join UIMLA, the organization that unites mountain leaders worldwide.
  • If you are a certified leader, you receive the right to your own profile with your contacts in the “Mountain Leaders” section of our website.
  • You receive preferential prices for participation in events organized by us.
  • You have the opportunity to rent equipment available from the Association (avalanche, alpine, and snowshoe gear) at preferential prices.
  • You can take advantage of discounts offered to the Association and UIMLA members at stores, accommodation, etc.—in Bulgaria and abroad.

Fill out an application and send it to us@planini.eu.

The application can be downloaded or filled out online.

For any additional questions, write to us@planini.eu

You become part of the UIMLA community, the community of International Mountain Leaders.

To become a full member of UIMLA, you must:

  1. Be a current member of the Association.
  2. Have a State Diploma issued by the Association Training Center.
  3. Have Professional Liability Insurance for the upcoming year.
  4. Fill out the membership application.

Note: For members who graduated from a training center different than Mountains and People, they must attend a 4-day seminar (2 days summer and 2 days winter) to meet the UIMLA standard, which is guaranteed and maintained in Bulgaria by the Mountains and People Training Center.

The initial membership fee must be deposited into the Mountains and People Association bank account within 10 days of approval by the General Assembly.

Mountains and People Association Bank Account

  • IBAN: BG39 STSA 9300 0028 0399 54 – DSK Bank AD

  • BIC: STSABGSF

  • Payment Reference: “Initial Fee + [Your Full Name]”

The deadline for paying the membership fee for the upcoming calendar year is October 31st of the preceding year.

According to current UIMLA standards, to receive an annual holographic sticker, every member must meet the following requirements:

  1. Hold a national diploma for professional mountain guiding.

  2. Be registered in the National Tourism Register for mountain guides in Bulgaria.

  3. Be a member in good standing of the Mountains and People – Bulgarian Association of Mountain Leaders and Mountain Guides in Bulgaria.

  4. Hold valid Professional Liability Insurance for the current year.

  5. Have completed Continuing Professional Development (CPD) seminars for both summer and winter profiles within the last three years.

These conditions apply to both initial membership applications and annual membership renewals.