Winter Skills Training

Winter Skills Training Courses in Scotland

Our Winter Skills Training Courses, based in the Cairngorms, Aviemore are designed to give you the essential skills, knowledge and confidence needed to travel safely and effectively in the Scottish mountains in winter conditions.

Winter transforms the mountains into a challenging and rewarding environment, with snow, ice, strong winds, poor visibility and rapidly changing conditions all requiring a different approach to summer hillwalking. Over the two days, you’ll learn how to assess these conditions, make informed decisions and adapt your techniques to move safely through winter terrain.

Using the Cairngorms as your classroom, our experienced instructors will introduce and develop the fundamental skills required for winter hillwalking. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to put these techniques into practice in realistic mountain conditions, building both practical ability and confidence as the course progresses.

Depending on conditions and your chosen course, you’ll develop skills including:

• Crampon and ice axe techniques – understanding how and when to use essential winter equipment safely and effectively.
• Safe movement on snow and ice – developing techniques for ascending, descending and traversing snowy & icy terrain.
• Snowpack awareness and analysis – learning how to recognise developing snow conditions and understand the factors that contribute to avalanche risk.
• Avalanche awareness and evaluation – developing an understanding of avalanche hazards and how to make safe decisions in winter terrain.
• Transceiver training and search techniques – learning the fundamentals of avalanche transceiver use, including search and rescue procedures.
• Winter navigation – learning to navigate confidently in snow, poor visibility and challenging conditions.
• Emergency shelters and mountain safety – learning practical techniques for protecting yourself and others in an emergency.

Our aim is not simply to teach you a set of techniques, but to help you develop the judgement, awareness and practical skills needed to safely enjoy Scotland’s winter mountains.

Whether you’re new to winter hillwalking or looking to refresh and develop your existing skills, our Winter Skills courses provide an ideal opportunity to learn, practise and gain experience in the spectacular Scottish mountains.