• Winter Skills Course (Weekend)

Winter Skills Course (Weekend)

Discover the beauty of winter in the Scottish Highlands with our 2-day Winter Skills Weekend. Learn essential skills like avalanche awareness, ice axe use and winter navigation

In short

The Winter Skills Course (Weekend) is a 2-day course run by Pure Outdoor in the Aviemore, based at The Adventure Hub in Bamford, Hope Valley. It costs £249 per person, is open to ages 18+ and runs at a maximum ratio of 1:6. Next available dates: Sat 13 Feb 2027, Sat 20 Feb 2027.

Summary

Our Winter Skills Weekend offers a full, adventure-packed weekend designed to equip you with the essential techniques to explore the snow-covered mountains safely, efficiently, and confidently. Whether you're a beginner or looking to enhance your winter hill-walking abilities, this course will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to embrace the breathtaking winter environment of the Highlands. Join us and unlock the wonders of winter!

Winter Skills Course (Weekend)

Price : £249.00 per person

Location : Aviemore

Duration : 2 Days

Ratio : 1:6

Minimum age : 18

What's Included :

  • Expert tuition
  • Free ice axe and crampon hire
  • Loan of all required maps

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Highlights

  • Navigate the beautiful Scottish mountains
  • Become proficient with an ice axe and crampons
  • Explore Avalanche Avoidance 
  • Learn essential Winter Skills

Course Overview

Join our popular Winter Skills Weekend, designed to equip you with essential skills for winter hill-walking. This immersive course covers the critical techniques you'll need, including the use of crampons and an ice axe, winter navigation, avalanche awareness, emergency procedures, and a comprehensive understanding of the winter environment. It's perfect for anyone eager to embark on winter hill-walking adventures for the first time.


Throughout the Winter Skills Weekend, you’ll engage in daily mountain journeys where you’ll learn and practice essential skills in a real-world context. As you progress, your instructor will provide personalised guidance and encouragement to help refine your abilities. Our goal is to instill confidence and familiarity with these vital winter skills, empowering you to venture into the mountains independently and confidently.


Complimentary crampon and ice axe hire is included.


Our winter courses are based in the scenic town of Aviemore from the Tiso Store.


Enroll in our Winter Skills Course today and take the first step towards mastering winter hill-walking!

Course Outcomes

  • Learn how to use crampons and ice axes
  • Develop avalanche awareness
  • Self-arrests
  • Improve your winter navigation skills
  • Emergency procedures
  • Become independent in the mountains
  • Better understand the winter environment

Course Information

YOUR WINTER SKILLS COURSE


08:45 - 16:30

MEET
Your instructor will greet you and check everyone has the required equipment for the weekend before explaining the objective and goals for the day.

COLLECT AND CHECK YOUR EQUIPMENT
You'll 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 also be issued with the appropriate maps for the day's objective.

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 enjoying a 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 day two.

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)
Summer hill-walking experience

  • We encourage car sharing and the use of Public Transport wherever feasible.
  • We offer free camping kit for guests looking to cut down on luggage.
  • Our staff are trained to prolong the life of equipment used on this course, where it is possible to recycle equipment at the end of its life, we do so appropriately.
  • We operate in small teams at low ratios to reduce our impact on the venues we use and other countryside users.

FAQsFAQsFAQsFAQsFAQs

FAQs

Start time: 09:00 - Finish time: 16:30. Please note, these times are approximate and could be subject to minor changes. Please leave plenty of time when booking public transport.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the Winter Skills Course (Weekend) cost?
The Winter Skills Course (Weekend) costs £249 per person. It includes expert tuition, free ice axe and crampon hire and loan of all required maps.
How long is the Winter Skills Course (Weekend)?
The course lasts 2 days.
When are the next available dates?
The next dates with spaces are Sat 13 Feb 2027, Sat 20 Feb 2027. Live availability and all dates are shown in the booking panel on this page.
What is the group size and instructor ratio?
This course runs at a maximum instructor to client ratio of 1:6, so you get plenty of individual coaching.
Do I need any previous experience?
Summer hill-walking experience
What equipment do I need?
We will provide you with a complete kit list upon booking but the key points are:All your usual summer hill-walking equipmentStiff 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)
When does the course start and finish?
Start time: 09:00 - Finish time: 16:30. Please note, these times are approximate and could be subject to minor changes. Please leave plenty of time when booking public transport.
Is there a minimum age?
Yes, the minimum age for this course is 18.
Can I buy this course as a gift?
Yes. You can buy this course as an e-gift voucher from this page, and the recipient chooses their own date.
Do course customers get a discount on kit?
Yes, every Pure Outdoor course includes a 10% discount on equipment at The Adventure Hub shop (in store and at adventure-hub.com).
Booking & general
Do I have to pay in full when I book?
Not always. Places are reserved by paying either the specified deposit or the full fee. The balance is due no later than 6 weeks before the course starts. If you book within 6 weeks of the start date, the full fee is payable when you book.
What if the weather is bad?
Our courses run in a range of weather, that's part of learning in the UK hills, so come prepared for the conditions. If the weather is genuinely dangerous we may modify or cancel a session, in which case you'll be offered a refund or an alternative date.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellations must be made in writing (email is fine). Charges are based on the original course start date: more than 4 weeks before, 25% of the total course fee; between 4 and 2 weeks before, 75%; within 2 weeks, 100%. As courses run on fixed dates, the statutory 14-day cooling-off period doesn't apply.
Is there parking?
Yes, free parking. Park next to The Adventure Hub building if there's space, or use the overflow area in the back corner of the main Hope Valley Garden Centre car park, about 200m away.
Can I get there by train or bus?
Yes. Bamford railway station on the Hope Valley line is about a 5-minute walk from The Adventure Hub, and the nearest bus stop is 'Shatton Lane' (see traveline.info for times). Course times are arranged to fit public transport timetables where possible.
Do you need to know about medical conditions?
Yes. Please tell us about any medical condition or injury when you book, and let your instructor know on the first day. It's kept confidential, and it lets us tailor activities to you and keep the group safe.
Do I need my own insurance?
For UK courses we strongly recommend your own personal accident insurance, including cancellation cover. For overseas courses you must have specialist rescue, medical and repatriation insurance, and send us the details by the final payment date. The BMC and Snowcard both offer suitable mountaineering insurance.

More answers in our FAQs or call 01433 424164.

Enquire

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 £250 inc vat per day. (Click here to book a private course)

£249.00 per person

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