This Winter Mountain Skills Course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and practical skills needed to move confidently and safely in snow and ice. With a strong emphasis on mountain preparedness, the course covers winter equipment, navigation, avalanche awareness, and emergency procedures.
Day one focuses on core skills and safe practices in a winter environment. On day two, we’ll put those skills into action with a mountain journey — potentially summiting a winter Munro such as Cairn Gorm or Ben Macdui, or traversing the Northern Corries — offering the chance to consolidate everything learned in a real-world setting.
Learn how to choose and use essential winter clothing, boots, and equipment for cold, wet, and windy conditions. You'll also cover how to correctly fit crampons and use an ice axe,.
Develop your map reading and compass skills for navigating in poor visibility. You'll also explore how snow cover affects terrain, route-finding, and overall navigation strategy. All on smaller scale maps - 1:40k & 1:50k.
Understand how to plan safe and realistic routes in winter, with an introduction to avalanche awareness. You'll learn to identify hazardous terrain, interpret avalanche forecasts, and make informed decisions in potentially unstable snow conditions.
Practise safe movement on snow-covered slopes, in ascent and descent. Instruction includes the practical use of crampons, ice axes, and key techniques for moving confidently on steep or icy ground.
Learn how to look after yourself and others in winter emergencies - from insulating against the cold and using group shelters learning how to call Mountain Rescue.
Route planning and decision-making
Winter gear, equipment, and clothing
Weather interpretation and its impact on the mountain environment
Efficient movement and walking techniques on winter terrain
Navigation in poor visibility and snow-covered ground
Winter kit management and organisation
Staying safe and managing yourself in harsh conditions
Emergency procedures and hill safety
Movement on snow and mixed ground
Ice axe use for support and security
Crampon techniques for various slope angles
Ice axe braking / self-arrest
Avalanche awareness and terrain assessment
Level: Intermediate, Beginner
18+
1:6 Ratio
Min: 2 | Max: 6
-Boots (B2 winter boots): £10/day – Boot Info Here
-Crampons & Ice Axes: £10/day for the set
-Hire also available from Tiso and Ellis Brigham - organise this independently
-We provide DMM ice axes and Petzl Sarken/Grivel G12 crampons for the course.
-Ice Axes: Petzl Sum’Tec, Petzl Summit Evo, DMM Cirque
-Crampons: Grivel G12
Packing tips: LDM Blog
Please ensure you follow the kit list closely – without the right gear, it may not be possible to take part for safety reasons.
Please see the attached PDF's for:
-Meeting details & directions
-Kit lists
-Safety guidance & equipment notes
-Be prepared for adverse mountain weather.
If you have any questions in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
| Cost | ||
|---|---|---|
Winter Skills: Intro - The Cairngorms
If the course date is less than 30 days away, please use this ticket and pay in full.
|
£220.00 | |
Winter Skills: Intro (+ice axe, crampons & boots)
Please select this ticket if you require an ice axe & C2 crampons (We hire DMM ice axes & G10/G12 crampons)Please select this ticket if you require boots for the course (Note: We only hire B2 boots, if you require B3 please hire from Tiso or Ellis Brigham)
|
£260.00 | |
Winter Skills: Intro (+ice axe and crampons)
Please select this ticket if you require an ice axe & C2 crampons (We hire DMM ice axes & G10/G12 crampons)
|
£240.00 | |
Winter Skills: Intro (+boots)
Please select this ticket if you require boots for the course (We hire B2 boots)
|
£240.00 |
Cairngorm Mountain
Cairngorm Ski Area
Aviemore
PH22 1RB
On Day 1 we will meet at Tiso cafe in Aviemore before coming to this location
All subsequent days will meet here, at the Cairn Gorm Mountain Resort
Amenities
