Winter Skills Courses

Winter Skills Courses - Fort William, Ben Nevis and Glencoe.

Scottish Winter Skills Courses 2 - day courses | £175 per person

The mountains of Scotland offer a different challenge than in the summer months. Snow, avalanche hazard, reduced visibility, short day-light hours and more challenging navigation can make even a more simple rounded hill a very difficult place to travel. The basic of winter skills are moving over steep snow, ice and rock both with and without crampons, the use of an ice axe for both security and in the case of a slip. Planning a safe route, understanding the weather and avalanche forecasts. All of these topics are covered on our Scottish Winter Skills courses based out of Fort William, Glencoe or the Northern Cairngorms.

The mountains surrounding Fort William such as Ben Nevis or the many Munros in Glencoe are a great challenge in winter. they provide a great training ground foe our winter skills courses and anyone looking to learn the skills to travel safely in the Scottish mountains in winter.

Our Winter skills courses are designed to teach you the basics, so that you can go winter walking on your own, with the confidence to make the right decisions in the Scottish hills. The mountains of Scotland in winter are a beautiful sight and rival many of the worlds greater ranges but they can also be a very unforgiving place if you are not prepared. These courses are meant for those taking their first steps in the winter environment.

Alternatively, if you are just looking for a Guided Winter walking experience in the Scottish winter hills then you could book a guide for the day.

Open Group Winter Skills Course dates Winter 2024/25

Open Group Winter Skills courses

We run open Winter Skills courses over set weekend dates. These are great for solo travellers looking to gain some instruction in the basic of winter skills. These courses are Fort William based and you will need your own transport (lift sharing may be available) and accommodation.

The 2- day course costs £175 per person with minimum numbers required for the course to go ahead and a maximum of 6 people per course. The use of Boots, crampons and axe is not included but we work with both Ellis Brigham and Scottish Mountain Hire to help you organise your kit.

Private Winter Skills Courses

An introduction into the skills and equipment used in the Scottish hills in winter. Usually a two day course with day one focusing on learning these new skills and day two applying them to a journey in the hills. Looking at how to use crampons and ice axe, winter navigation and avalanche assessment. A good introduction to winter, or as a recap for those that might want a skills check before they go out on their own after a break.

Bespoke winter skills courses are available for groups or individuals through-out the winter starting at £300 per day.

Winter Skills Course Outline

All of our Winter Skills Courses will cover as much as they can given the conditions at the time. It is not always possible to cover every aspect but we will try our best.

Introduction to Winter Walking Equipment
Fitting and carrying of Winter Equipment
What equipment you should be carrying for a Winter day out.
Walking in snow with both boots and crampons.
Use of an axe in the winter mountains. cutting steps, self-belay and Ice axe arrest
Route selection
Route planning taking in consideration of the weather and avalanche forecast
The Be Avalanche Aware Process
Navigation
Emergency procedures

Previous experience required for this trip

There is no need for any prior experience in summer or winter walking for this course. Some experience of walking in the British mountains in summer conditions will certainly help though.

A reasonable level of fitness is required. You should expect to be out on the hills for about 7 hours each day. We can tailor the route to people's fitness levels.

Winter Skills kit list

Winter-rated boots - B2 or B3 ideally. B1 winter boots may be ok too but you may find they are not warm enough or quite stiff enough for steeper and harder snow.
Crampons - compatible with your boots.
A Walking/mountaineering axe. Straight or slightly curved.
Waterproof jacket and trousers. An absolute must
Socks.
Baselayers are to be worn next to the skin. (not cotton)
Comfortable walking trousers. Light-weight and dry quickly
Warm mid-layers. At least two, one to wear and one as an emergency layer.
Hats and gloves. Multiple pairs of gloves are best. Your gloves will likely get wet at some point and having spares will give you the option to change into a dry pair of gloves.
Head torch.
A small personal first aid kit. Plasters, paracetamol/ibuprofin and personal meds etc.
Drinks bottle/flask. 1L should be enough. You will be passing fresh water in the mountains, so you do not need to carry too much.
A rucksack. Anything larger than a 35/40L pack will do and a waterproof liner
Emergency survival bag/bivi shelter
Helmet

Avalanche Awareness and Navigation Courses

Both these skills are often easily overlooked but are just as important as being able to use ice axe and crampons. We can offer instruction in both and just a days refresher at the start of your winter season could give you more confidence to push yourself to go to those 'out of the way' places you have always wanted to.