🥶 Cairngorms Winter Skills Course – 2-Day & 3-Day Options
Prepare for safe and confident adventures in the winter mountains with our Cairngorms Winter Skills Course. Based in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, this hands-on course teaches essential techniques for navigating snow-covered terrain and making smart decisions in challenging winter conditions. Available as a 2-day winter walking course or an extended 3-day mountaineering skills course, it's perfect for anyone looking to build on summer hiking experience and transition to winter hillwalking.
🧭 What You’ll Learn
Our winter skills course in the Cairngorms covers practical, real-world techniques that will help you stay safe and capable in the snow-covered hills:
- Understanding winter weather and avalanche risk
- Route planning and winter navigation using map, compass, and terrain awareness
- Winter kit: clothing, equipment, and nutrition for cold conditions
- Movement skills including kicking steps, efficient travel, and pacing
- Use of crampons and ice axe for stability and control
- Ice axe arrest techniques for stopping a slide
- Practical navigation in winter terrain: bearings, pacing, contour interpretation, map memory, spatial awareness
🔗 Additional Topics on the 3-Day Course
- Basic ropework for winter mountaineering
- Safety on steep ground and emergency planning
- Use of snow anchors and belaying techniques
🙋 Who This Course Is For
This course is ideal for:
- Hillwalkers with summer mountain experience
- Individuals with a basic understanding of map and compass navigation
- Adventurers with a good level of fitness (6+ hours walking in snow)
- Anyone eager to learn and develop their winter mountain safety skills
📍 Location & Meeting Point
Meeting Point: Cairngorm Ski Centre Car Park, near Aviemore
📅 Course Information
- Duration: Choose 2 or 3 days
- Season: Courses run from late December through March
- Start Day: Saturdays (check our calendar for real-time availability)
- Instructor Ratio: Maximum 1:6 for personalized instruction
- Group Size: Minimum 3 participants for the course to run
- Minimum Age: 14 years (under 18s must be accompanied by a parent/guardian)
🧰 What’s Included
We provide all technical equipment for the course:
- Ice axe
- Crampons
- Helmet
- Ropes (3-day course only)
👉 Don’t forget to review our Equipment List, Boot Ratings, and Crampon Info before your course.
⚠️ Important Notes
Scottish winters can be unpredictable. Course content may be adjusted in response to weather and avalanche conditions to maintain safety while delivering the best learning experience possible.
✅ Book Your Winter Skills Course
Our Cairngorms Winter Skills Courses are perfect for anyone ready to take on the Scottish hills in winter. Learn how to move safely on snow and ice, improve your winter navigation, and build confidence in a stunning mountain setting. Book now to secure your place!
