Winter Skills
Winter brings additional challenges to the Scottish mountains, which offer some of the most beautiful and challenging walking country in Europe. Snow, ice and quickly changing weather conditions can find the hill walker subjected to the additional challenges of wind, cold and blizzards on the high plateaus of the Cairngorms and the jagged peaks of the west. Walking in winter terrain can be surprisingly different to walking in summer terrain and the winter environment should not be underestimated.
However, the challenges and the breathtaking beauty of the mountains in winter make for an unforgettable experience.
The aim of our Winter Skills courses are to introduce you to the basic skills needed to walk independently in winter. You do not need prior winter walking experience but a good level of fitness is essential. Courses are normally based in the Northern Cairngorms or surrounding area.
Courses cover:
Planning a day out in winter
What equipment to take
Avalanche avoidance
Safe movement skills on snow and ice
Using an ice axe and crampons
Ice axe arrest
Winter navigation, and
Emergency procedures
