Award Winning Outdoor Activities
Winter Skills Course (Week)
Comprehensive five day Winter Skills Course in the Cairngorms
Summary
Are you feeling intimidated by your first steps in the snow covered mountains? This course will equip you with the skills, experience and knowledge to begin your explorations with confidence. A full and adventure filled five days gives you with the time to consolidate and extend the skills covered in the weekend course.
Highlights
- Become proficient with an ice axe and crampons
- Dig a snow hole and learn avalanche avoidance
- Spend time in the beautiful Scottish mountains perfecting your skills
Course Overview
The ultimate winter skills course to develop your mountain skills. Year in, year out, this is our most popular choice for learning the key skills needed in winter conditions. Over the five days we aim to provide you with experience of using all of the skills required for ice axe and crampon use, winter navigation, avalanche awareness and avoidance, building emergency shelters and route planning in the winter mountains.
The practical hill days are backed up with off the hill debriefs of focused activities such as route planning or the theory behind avalanche awareness. This course really suits the summer hill-walker who has spent little or no time in the mountains in winter. By the end of the five days you will confident in your abilities to select a suitable goal, plan a route, prepare the necessary equipment, understand the current weather and snow conditions and independently carry out your trip in the mountains as you continue to develop your experience.
Our winter courses are based from 'The Hub' in Aviemore , we recommend you find some accommodation in this area. Lots of customers use Aviemore YHA as a base which is a good option, though there are many other options locally. Each day begins at 8:45am and runs until approximately 4:00pm. On the Wednesday we aim to finish the course by 2:00pm to give everyone plenty of time to travel home.
Course Outcomes
- Learn how to use crampons & ice axes
- Develop avalanche awareness
- Self-arrests
- Improve your navigation skills
- Emergency procedures
- Become independent in the mountains
- Understand the winter environment better
Course Information
YOUR WINTER SKILLS WEEK
Days 1-4: 08:45 - 16:30
Days 5: 08:45 - 14:30
MEET AT 'THE HUB' BASE
Your instructor will greet you and ensure everyone has the required equipment before outlining the current goals and heading out for the day.
COLLECT AND CHECK YOUR EQUIPMENT
You'll need to check that your rucksack is suitably packed ready for what the weather may throw at you. If you have requested Ice Axe and Crampons, we will have them available. You will be issued with the relevant map(s) each day.
TRAVEL TO COURSE LOCATION
The exact location will depend on the weather and the aims and abilities of the group. Very often we would head up to the Cairngorm Ski Area, where we can drive high enough to access good snow conditions.
PRACTICAL SESSION
Our winter days are a combination of workshop-style activities along with an enjoyable day out in the mountains. It will be based on real life scenarios and as a team you will get to enjoy several amazing days out as you explore the highlands, learning essential skills on the way.
BACK TO THE ADVENTURE HUB
Once we are off the hill we have an informal debrief. We summarise the key learning points from the day's adventure, discuss your progress so far and set some personalised development targets for the next day.
THE WHOLE WEEK
Throughout the week we may travel throughout the mountains to get the best conditions, this may mean us driving up to 45 minutes from Aviemore. Each day, we will discuss the groups aspirations and pick the best venues to suit.
We will provide you with a complete kit list upon booking but the key points are:
- All your usual summer hill-walking equipment
- Stiff soled, crampon compatible boots, at least B2 rated (these can be hired locally if required)
- Walking ice axe and crampons (complimentary hire available if required)
- Helmet (provided)
FAQs
There are currently no course dates listed for this course, please contact us if you are interested and we can let you know when dates will be published.
Our instructors can be booked privately to deliver this course. Benefit from private tuition, pick a date that suits you and your instructor can design the day to suit your needs. You can hire one of our instructors from just £240 inc vat per day. (Click here to book a private course)