Winter Skills Long Weekend
Learn winter skills in Scotland so you can move with confidence over snow and ice and prepare yourself for a life time of winter fun.
Over the three days you will learn about the equipment and techniques you require to be safe walking the winter hills. You will start to examine some of the unique hazards that winter brings and develop your judgement, skills and confidence to stay safe as you progress.
The winter skills course is a great primer if you are heading abroad on an expedition that goes into the snowline. Learning how to use an ice axe and crampons whilst you are struggling with altitude is not a great plan!
Who is it for ?
This Winter Skills course is for summer hillwalkers who want to learn how to move safely over hills in winter conditions. No prior knowledge of winter walking is required.
If you have prior winter skills experience you can book Winter Mountaineering or Winter Guided Walks
Winter Skills Long Weekend – Course Format
The exact course itinerary will be flexible to cope with the Scottish winter weather. During the course, you will cover the essential skills that are required for you to move safely on the hills in winter.
On day one, we meet at our comfortable base at 8:45 am. We discuss the weather, check kit etc over a coffee before heading out to play 😀
We normally spend the first day of winter skills learning how to use our ice axes and crampons (loaned for free or bring your own). On subsequent days we put these winter skills into practice as we explore the majestic winter mountains. Over the three days we cover:
- How to choose suitable clothing and equipment for winter walking;
- Use of ice axe including how to ice axe arrest;
- Use of crampons on different terrain;
- Avalanche forecasts, and avoidance;
- Introduction to winter navigation;
- Planning a day and route choice whilst underway.
We provide tea, coffee, and our legendary biscuit tin 🍪🍪🍪 at our base. Our winter base also has full AV facilities and plenty of space for teaching. You don’t have to budget an extra £15 per day for meeting in a cafe if you book with us.
On days two and three we meet at 8am to get the most out of the daylight.
If all this sounds pretty cool (it is) but you want to consolidate your Winter Skills, our Introduction to Winter Mountaineering adds two extra days to your snowy fun.
Course Details
- Location: Aviemore or Glencoe
- Cost: £315 per person
- Duration: 3 days
- Ratio: 1:6
- Level: Introduction
More Information
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Course Dates
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Bespoke Dates and Locations
If there are a group of you that want the challenge and exhilaration of learning winter skills, but there are no suitable dates available, or you would like to do something similar in a different area, please contact the office and we will arrange some dates to suit your diary.
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Meeting Point
For our Winter Skills long weekend, we meet at 8:45am. This gives you time to collect any winter boots you are hiring at the start of the day.
In Aviemore this at our base in north Aviemore (PH22 1QF).
In Glencoe we meet at our base in the village of Glencoe (near the massacre memorial).
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Equipment Required
A detailed equipment list is contained in the joining instructions. Essentially, you need to be self sufficient for a day walking in the winter mountains.
We can provide an ice axe, harness & helmet and crampons. Boots can be hired locally if required.
Boots can be hired from Tiso, Cairngorm Mountain Sports (recommended) or Ellis Brigham in Aviemore or Ellis Brigham or Cotswolds in Fort William.
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Fitness Level
You certainly don’t have to be super fit to enjoy a Scottish Winter Skills course, and average fitness is quite sufficient.
Experience of summer hillwalking is essential.
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Accommodation Options
The Winter Skills course is non-residential to allow you to select between thermarest or 5 star hotel as you require.
There are hundreds of accommodation options in and around Fort William and Aviemore from luxurious Castles to campsites and everything in between.If you want a hand booking something, or, want something special, contact the office and we will endeavour to assist.
We have had very good experiences with:
Ravenscraig Guest House and Cairngorm Guest House in Aviemore
Gallery
FAQs
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How do I book ?
The best way to book a Winter Skills course is via this webpage. Choose the date from the options on the above and then submit your booking. You only need to pay the deposit if your course is more than six weeks away.
For bespoke Winter Skills / Winter Mountaineering courses or other Scottish mountain events get in touch first so we can check diaries and if required give you a quote. Get in touch by either calling the office on 01142 631 155 or emailing us.
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Does the course include accommodation ?
Not usually! We prefer to let you choose where you will be most comfortable. This may be in a tent or in a luxury hotel.
A range of accommodation options can be found on our accommodation page.
For bespoke winter skills courses and other events we can arrange whatever you desire from a bivouac under the stars to a spa hotel.
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Children, Parking, Dogs, COVID and everything else...
You will find all of the most frequently asked questions and their answers on our FAQ webpage.
