Winter Mountain Skills
Winter Mountaineering Skills Scotland
Winter mountain skills course in the spectacular Cairngorms.
Our 2 day Winter Skills course is designed for those with little or no previous experience of winter mountaineering, and also for those looking for a refresher in the skills needed to venture into the mountains during winter.
Learn Winter Mountaineering Skills in the Spectacular Cairngorms
These are your first steps to accessing a new world of winter mountaineering safely.
Our 2 day course will leave you feeling confident with the use of ice axe and crampons, winter navigation and coping with winter weather. You will gain avalanche awareness, as well as how to generally equip yourself for the mountains at this magical time of year.
The course is designed to introduce you to a range of core skills that will enable you to enjoy and move about the UK’s mountains in winter conditions competently and confidently allowing you to become your own independent adventurer.
You can read full details on What to Wear and Pack for winter mountaineering in Scotland here.
Our precise Winter Skills itinerary varies with the weather conditions and aims of the group. A flexible approach is best where we focus on:
- Selection and organisation of personal kit appropriate to winter mountaineering
- Personal movement skills on snow, including kicking steps and using the ice axe for walking, self-belay, cutting steps, and self-arrest
- Use of crampons in ascent/descent
- Emergency procedures
- Weather and avalanche awareness and interpretation.
- Pre planning, safe route and venue choice
- Core techniques of winter navigation
Recent Winter Skills Courses
Traversing steep ground on a blue bird winters day in Scotland
Fitting crampons - winter mountain skills in the Cairngorms
Happy winter skills - high up in the Cairngorms, Scotland
Winter skills in full winter conditions - Scotland at its best
Winter mountain skills - navigating in whiteout conditions - Cairngorms, Scotland
Winter skills course, Cairngorms. Feeling cozy with the right clothing on!
Proper use of your ice axe and crampons are essential winter skills.
Goggles are an essential part of your winter mountaineering kit list
Our winter mountain skills course is a great way to meet good likeminded folks!
Course Overview
Availability
January - April
Day Duration
2 Full Days
Difficulty
Challenging
Language
English
Meeting Point
9am - Tiso Cafe in Aviemore PH22 1AF
Minimum Age
16
Total Distance
8 - 10km / day
Mountaineering Time
6-7 hours per day
Summit
Varies
Group Size
Maximum 6
Minimum Number
3
Weather
If the weather is unsafe your Guide will choose an alternative mountain location.
What’s included (and not)
Included
- Experienced & qualified AMI guide
- Ice Axe
- Crampons
- Helmet
Not Included
- Winter mountaineering boots - crampon compatible
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Warm clothing
- Hat and gloves
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Transport