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!

Spin drift, snow, wind and sunshine. All part of winter skills in the Cairngorms.

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
What to bring with you
Winter mountaineering boots - crampon compatible
Waterproof trousers
Please do not use cotton clothing
Wool socks
Base layer
Gloves – plus spares
Lightweight fleece
Warm hat – plus spare
Fleece or soft-shell jacket
Spare fleece / warm top
Trousers – synthetic that dry quickly
Lunch, snacks and liquid
Waterproof jacket with hood
If you have your own - Ice axe and crampons
Trip map
Distance dependent on location and weather
Contact us for Winter 2023 / 2024 season - This is our most popular course so get it in your diary early Folks.



