This Winter Mountain Skills Course is designed to equip participants with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate and thrive in the winter mountains. This means equipping you with the knowledge to be safe in snow and ice environments. It emphasises practical application, builds understanding of mountain preparedness and dealing with emergencies on the hill.
The course will focus on winter equipment, its uses and practical application along side avalanche knowledge and route planning for winter environments.
The second day of the course is there for a mountain journey to be undertaken and hopefully tick off a winter Munro. A journey may include gaining the summit of Cairn Gorm, Ben Macdui or a traverse of the Norther Corries, allowing all of our skills and practical knowledge to be refined and practiced.
COURSE OUTLINE
Gear and Equipment
Essential winter clothing, footwear, and equipment for cold environments.
Proper fitting of crampons, use of ice axes, and other winter-specific gear if appropriate to conditions
Navigation Essentials
Map reading and compass skills for effective navigation in poor weather
Understanding snow-covered terrain and its effect on navigation
Route Planning and Avalanche Awareness
Identifying potential avalanche terrain and safe route selection.
Introduction to basic avalanche awareness and safety protocols.
Snow and Ice Techniques
Safe movement on snow-covered slopes, including ascending and descending.
Use of crampons, ice axes, and other winter-specific equipment.
(all conditions dependent)
Emergencies on the hill
Techniques for insulating and staying warm in a winter environment.
Emergency Procedures and group shelters
How to call Mountain Rescue
SKILLS COVERED
Planning
Gear, equipment and clothing
Reading the weather
Walking and movement skills
Navigation skills for poor visibility
Winter kit admin
Looking after yourself in bad weather
Emergency procedures
In Snowy Conditions:
Movement on snow
Ice axe technique
Crampons
Ice Axe Braking/Self arrest
Avalanche awareness
Winter navigation
Level: Intermediate, Beginner
Day 1 will run from 8:30am until around 4:00pm and meet initially at Tiso cafe in Aviemore
Any subsequent days meet at the Cairn Gorm ski centre; we use the cafe here for debriefs
You will need experience of hill walking in summer conditions.
You will need to be fit enough to be able to walk in the snow carrying a rucksack.
You will need crampons & an ice axe
You will need to wear suitable outdoor clothing and have appropriate mountain footwear
(B1/B2 boots - these are rigid to take crampons)
All technical equipment can be provided & hired from LDM
We have a selection of boots to hire subject to sizes and availability
Boot hire is £10 per pair, per day
| Cost | ||
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Book Online: Winter Skills: Scotland 2 Day
If the course date is less than 30 days away, please use this ticket and pay in full.
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£200.00 | |
Book with 50% deposit
Available until Thu 2 Jan 12am
This ticket allows you to pay a deposit to secure your place on the course. We will be in touch when the full amount is due, this will be via email and we will send you a link to an easy bank transfer. The full amount will be due no later than 30 days before the course
|
£100.00 |
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