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.
COURSE OUTLINE
Gear and Equipment:
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,.
Navigation Essentials:
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.
Route Planning & Avalanche Awareness:
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.
Snow and Ice Techniques:
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.
Emergencies on the Hill:
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.
SKILLS COVERED
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
On the day, we will meet you at Tiso, in the Explorer cafe for meet and greet. at 8:00am.
We will then look to organise your equipment.
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.
Some navigational knowledge will be beneficial but is not essential (map & compass)
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 | ||
|---|---|---|
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.
|
£220.00 |
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