Winter Skills & Mountaineering

The hills and mountains of the United Kingdom and especially Scotland come alive when in their winter coat.  Its a very satisfying and exciting experience to travel in the mountains in winter, to feel the crunch of your crampons biting into the hard snow and gaze in amazement at the various snow and ice formations.

Winter Mountaineering Day

The UK’s mountains can be a very dangerous and challenging place if you don’t have the skills and knowledge to travel safely in the winter environment. That’s why our qualified instructor lead days are perfect for the novice or experienced hill walker or mountaineer who wants to get out in the snowy peaks without the risk and responsibility of doing this on their own. We can provide bespoke days out on the winter hills, where we cover basic skills for your safety and then we spend the rest of the day winter walking or mountaineering, we don’t exceed grade 1 winter mountaineering and we will take you on some of the classic winter mountain days out.

1 day winter mountaineering day starts from £110.00 per person for group courses or £250.00 for a full day private guide one to one, with an additional £50 person.

Or if you want to learn more skills and independence then our 2 and 4 day winter skills course’s are another option (see below)

All our winter mountaineering and skills courses include helmets and where appropriate harnesses. Ice axe and crampons can be hired for £15 per day or use your own, you will also need other winter equipment such as B2/3 boots and appropriate clothing. A list of essential gear will be provided upon enquiry.

Winter Skills Course – 2 Days – £195.00

Our winter skills courses are a perfect way to start your introduction to the winter environment or a refresher for those that may already enjoy winter mountaineering. We cover the skills and knowledge required to ensure a safe and enjoyable day in the winter mountains.

Our 2 day course starts in the classroom covering the basics to ensure you are prepared to go out into the winter environment, then after that we get on the hill covering all the skills required, starting with movement on the snow and ice using crampons, boots and your ice axe, covering kicking steps, crampon fitting and use and use of the ice axe which includes cutting steps, ice axe arrest and snow pack testing.

Skills covered

  • Planning & preparation
  • Weather & the mountain environment
  • Avalanche awareness & snow pack
  • Movement skills – kicking steps, crampons
  • Ice axe skills
  • Ice axe arrest
  • Winter navigation
  • Emergency procedures

Course Dates for Winter 2025, 2 Day Winter Skills

  • 11-12th & 18-19th January
  • 8-9th February 
  • 1-2nd & 8-9th & 29-30th March
  • 5-6th April

Winter Skills Course – 4 Days – £395.00

The 4 day course covers the key skills on the first 2 days (as per winter skills 2 day) & on days 3 / 4 you will practice and embed the skills learnt on classic winter mountaineering days. You will also spend more time learning winter navigation & avalanche awareness.

Course dates for Winter 2025, 4 Day Winter Skills

  • 11 -14th January 
  • 1-4th March & 29th March to 1st April

To book this please call us on 07970 835737 or visit our Contact Us page to enquire about availability.

We also run bespoke courses, so just get in touch with your preferred dates

Winter navigation course

Our 1 day winter navigation courses are ideal for experienced walkers and mountaineers that already enjoy the winter environment and want to learn how to navigate in winter conditions.

The Importance of being able to navigate in winter conditions cannot be overstated. Poor visibility, avalanche risk and other hazards such as cornices make navigation in winter a big challenge.

You will learn the skills that are specific to winter navigation such as preparation, equipment and the navigation skills relevant to the environment and conditions.

The course covers the following :

  • Avalanche risk
  • Clothing & equipment
  • Walking on bearings
  • Timing and pacing
  • Contours
  • Poor visibility
  • Relocation techniques
  • Slope Aspect
  • Boxing off

It is advised to have some existing navigation experience. This course is not for beginners and covers advanced navigation skills.

This is not a winter skills course and you are expected to know how to travel safely in the winter environment using crampons and ice axe.

All our winter mountaineering and skills courses are run by qualified Winter Mountain Leaders. Ice axe and crampons can be hired for £15 per day or use your own, you will also need other winter equipment such as B2/3 boots and appropriate clothing. A list of essential gear will be provided upon enquiry.

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1 day winter navigation course – £100.00

Course dates for Winter 2025, Winter Navigation

  • 15th January 
  • 5th March
  • 2nd April

To book this please call us on 07970 835737 or visit our Contact Us page to enquire about availability,  We also run bespoke courses, so just get in touch with your preferred dates