Ski Mountaineering & Touring
Free
Ski mountaineering, BackCountry ski touring and Freeride skiing in Aviemore, the Cairngorms & across Scotland have become hugely popular in recent years. Why not take try it for yourself and discover the best way of travelling in the mountains during winter.
Select your course start date above.
For one day ski mountaineering & touring courses just select your preferred start date on the calendar. For two and four day or freeride courses, select the date and the add-on box to calculate your total course fee.
Ski mountaineering, ski touring and Freeride skiing in Scotland
Ski mountaineering, BackCountry ski touring and Freeride skiing in Aviemore, the Cairngorms & Scotland have become hugely popular in recent years, it is perhaps the most satisfying and efficient way of exploring and travelling through the mountains during the winter months.
The Mountains of the Cairngorms National Park are by far the premium mountain peaks for ski touring in Scotland, although we are happy to guide in other parts of the Scottish Highlands.
Escaping to the Backcountry gets us away from the crowded and expensive ski slopes and into the great mountain wilderness areas of Scotland. If you’re a keen skier, hill walker or climber, we would love to welcome you to Active to discover and develope the skills required to ski tour safely in the Scottish mountains.
Our Back country ski mountaineering & touring days are based in the Cairngorm National Park in and around Newtonmore and the Aviemore area (Badenoch & Strathspey). We will ski mainly in the Cairngorm mountains which are Scotland’s finest ski touring mountains, however, should conditions be favourable, we may opt to visit Creag Meagaidh or the Monadhliath mountains. During the 4 day course we include an overnight snow holing expedition if conditions allow.
Our ski mountaineering & touring days are based from Aviemore and our 2 & 4 day courses from the Cairngorms Adventure Centre Newtonmore (accommodation included). We will ski mainly in the Cairngorm mountains which are Scotland’s finest ski touring mountains but should conditions be favourable, we may also visit Creag Meagaidh or the Monadhliath mountains. During the 4 day course there may be scope for an overnight expedition.
1 Day Backcountry Ski Touring
Course Content
- Planning & preparing for a tour
- Route planning & Navigation, EADS
- Ascending with skins and crampons
- Off-piste skiing technique
- Avalanche Awareness
£110 per person. Maximum 6 people per coach
Notes
*Talk to us if you are unsure which ski mountaineering & touring course is best suited to your ability.
*Instructor client ratio will be a maximum of 1:6
*Other dates may be available by arrangement
WHATS INCLUDED
- Guiding / Instruction
- Safety equipment
- Skis & Boots (if required)
NOT INCLUDED
- Due to Covid -19 we have to meet clients at venues (except single households).
- Lunches
- Lift passes
WHAT TO BRING
- Skis boots and poles (if you have your own)
- Good quality breathable waterproofs
- Good Quality base and mid layers
- 40 litre rucksack with ski straps
- Packed lunches inc; Hot and Cold drinks
- Head torch and whistle
- Mountaineering or Snowsports helmet
- 4 season gloves and warm hat/ balaclava.
- Map case
- Silva Type 4 Exped compass
WHAT WE CAN SUPPLY
- Skis, boots & poles
- Mountaineering Helmet
- Avalanche resuce kit
2 Day Backcountry Ski Touring
Course Content
- Planning & preparing for a tour
- Route planning, navigation & EADS & ATES
- Ascending with skins and crampons
- Off-piste skiing technique & risk analysis
- Backcountry Avalanche Training: awareness, identification, analysis.
- Search & rescue transceiver training
£200 per person. Maximum 6 people per coach
Notes
*Talk to us if you are unsure which ski mountaineering & touring course is best suited to your ability.
*Instructor client ratio will be a maximum of 1:6
*Other dates may be available by arrangement
WHATS INCLUDED
- Guiding / Instruction
- Safety equipment
- Skis & Boots (if required)
NOT INCLUDED
- Accommodation (During Covid we cannot provide SC accommodation – (See options)
- Due to Covid -19 we have to meet clients at venues (except single households).
- Lunches
- Lift passes
WHAT TO BRING
- Skis boots and poles (if you have your own)
- Good quality breathable waterproofs
- Good Quality base and mid layers
- 40 litre rucksack with ski straps
- Packed lunches inc; Hot and Cold drinks
- Head torch and whistle
- Mountaineering or Snowsports helmet
- 4 season gloves and warm hat/ balaclava.
- Map- OS Landranger 1:50,000 Sheets 35 & 36 + map case
- Silva Type 4 Exped compass
WHAT WE CAN SUPPLY
- Skis, boots & poles
- Mountaineering Helmet
- Avalanche rescue kit.
4 Day Backcountry Ski Touring
Course Content
- Planning & preparing for a tour
- Route planning, navigation & EADS & ATES
- Ascending with skins and crampons
- Off-piste skiing technique & risk analysis
- Backcountry Avalanche Training: awareness, identification, analysis.
- Search & rescue transceiver training
- Emergency & evacuation protocols
- 2 day / 1 night Snow hole expedition
£395 per person. Maximum 6 people
Notes
*Talk to us if you are unsure which ski mountaineering & touring course is best suited to your ability.
*Instructor client ratio will be a maximum of 1:6
*Other dates may be available by arrangement
WHATS INCLUDED
- Guiding / Instruction
- Safety equipment
- Skis & Boots (if required)
NOT INCLUDED
- Accommodation (During Covid we cannot provide SC accommodation – (See options)
- Due to Covid -19 we have to meet clients at venues (except single households).
- Lunches
- Lift passes
WHAT TO BRING
- Skis boots and poles (if you have your own)
- Good quality breathable waterproofs
- Good Quality base and mid layers
- 40 & 65 litre rucksack with ski straps
- Packed lunches inc; Hot and Cold drinks
- Head torch and whistle
- Mountaineering or Snowsports helmet
- 4 season gloves and warm hat/ balaclava.
- Map- OS Landranger 1:50,000 Sheets 35 & 36 + map case
- Silva Type 4 Exped compass
WHAT WE CAN SUPPLY
- Skis, boots & poles
- Mountaineering Helmet
- 65 Litre rucksack
- Avalanche rescue kit.
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Scottish Freeride skiing courses & guiding
Join our Freeride skiing courses or guided freeride ski days in Aviemore and Fort William. Enjoy untracked snow and steep thrills away from the crowded pistes of Cairngorm or Nevis Range.
Freeride skiing normally uses the uplift of the Scottish Ski Centres but takes more challenging off piste descents back to the base station. Skiers must be capable on piste skiers capable of making controlled descents on black runs.
1 day Freeride Guiding
Course Content
- Guided freeride runs off the ski lifts at Cairngorm or Aonach Mor
- A quick safety session will be run before venturing off piste into the BackCountry
£125 per person. Maximum 4 people. (Lift pass not included).
Notes
*Talk to us if you are unsure which ski touring & mountaineering course is best suited to your ability.
*Instructor client ratio will be a maximum of 1:6
*Other dates may be available by arrangement
WHATS INCLUDED
- Guiding / Instruction
- Safety equipment
- Skis & Boots (if required)
NOT INCLUDED
- Lift passes (approx £35 per day)
- Due to Covid -19 we have to meet clients at venues (except single households).
- Lunches
- Lift passes
WHAT TO BRING
- Skis boots and poles (if you have your own)
- Good quality breathable waterproofs
- Good Quality base and mid layers
- 40 litre rucksack with ski straps
- Packed lunches inc; Hot and Cold drinks
- Head torch and whistle
- Mountaineering or Snowsports helmet
- 4 season gloves and warm hat/ balaclava.
- Map- OS Landranger 1:50,000 Sheets 35 & 36 + map case
- Silva Type 4 Exped compass
WHAT WE CAN SUPPLY
- Skis, boots & poles
- Mountaineering Helmet
- Avalanche rescue kit
2 Day Freeride Guiding
Course Content
- Guided freeride runs off the ski lifts at Cairngorm or Aonach Mor, Glencoe or Glenshee.
- Planning & preparing for going off piste
- Route planning, navigation & EADS & ATES
- Using skins and crampons (if applicable).
- Off-piste and steep skiing technique & risk analysis
- Avalanche awareness & analysis.
- Search & rescue transceiver training
£225 per person. Maximum 5 people. (Lift pass not included).
Notes
*Talk to us if you are unsure which ski touring & mountaineering course is best suited to your ability.
*Instructor client ratio will be a maximum of 1:5
*Other dates may be available by arrangement.
WHATS INCLUDED
- Guiding / Instruction
- Safety equipment
- Skis & Boots (if required)
NOT INCLUDED
- Lift passes (approx £35 per day)
- Accommodation (During Covid we cannot provide SC accommodation – (See options)
- Due to Covid -19 we have to meet clients at venues (except single households).
- Lunches
- Lift passes
WHAT TO BRING
- Skis boots and poles (if you have your own)
- Good quality breathable waterproofs
- Good Quality base and mid layers
- 40 litre rucksack with ski straps
- Packed lunches inc; Hot and Cold drinks
- Head torch and whistle
- Mountaineering or Snowsports helmet
- 4 season gloves and warm hat/ balaclava.
- Map- OS Landranger 1:50,000 Sheets 35 & 36 + map case
- Silva Type 4 Exped compass
WHAT WE CAN SUPPLY
- Skis, boots & poles
- Mountaineering Helmet
- Avalanche rescue kit
Private Instruction
Private backcountry ski guiding and Instruction
If you wish to book a instructor or guide for yourself or your group. Simply fill in an enquiry form or drop us a ring on 01540 210 000. We can to tailor training, itineraries, routes and dates to your needs.
Private guiding or training rates:
Day 1 £275 + £75 for additional people. (6 max)
Day 2 and each additional day £225 + £75 for additional people. (4 max)
Our ski touring and mountaineering or freeride courses typically run from Christmas to April and are based around Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park. Courses are suitable for those with some hill walking and skiing experience. You should be fit for long days on the hill and be able to ski red runs on piste in good control. The training will cover everything from the basics on our 1 day ski touring and mountaineering course, equipping you with the confidence and ability to carry out easy ski tours.
The 2 day ski touring & mountaineering course can be ideal preparation for our 4 day course.
Notes
*Talk to us if you are unsure which course is best suited to your ability.
*Instructor client ratio will be a maximum of 1:6
*Other dates may be available by arrangement
WHATS INCLUDED
- Guiding / Instruction
- Safety equipment
- Skis & Boots (if required)
NOT INCLUDED
- Lift passes (approx £35 per day) Freeride only.
- Accommodation (During Covid we cannot provide SC accommodation – (See options)
- Due to Covid -19 we have to meet clients at venues (except single households).
- Lunches
- Lift passes
WHAT TO BRING
- Skis boots and poles (if you have your own)
- Good quality breathable waterproofs
- Good Quality base and mid layers
- 40 litre rucksack with ski straps
- Packed lunches inc; Hot and Cold drinks
- Head torch and whistle
- Mountaineering or Snowsports helmet
- 4 season gloves and warm hat/ balaclava.
- Map- OS Landranger 1:50,000 Sheets 35 & 36 + map case
- Silva Type 4 Exped compass
WHAT WE CAN SUPPLY
- Skis, boots & poles
- Mountaineering Helmet
- Avalanche rescue kit
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Options around Newtonmore
If you are looking for accommodation options while you are on your ski touring and mountaineering or freeride course in the aviemore and cairngorms area then we highly recommend any of the following:
Self-catering
https://www.wherestagsroar.co.uk/
Hotels & Guest Houses
http://www.newtonmore.com/places-to-stay.html
http://www.theglenhotel.co.uk/
B&B