Our winter skills courses develop summer hill walking or previous basic winter skills to stay safe in winter conditions. We will cover in detail all the essential knowledge to give a solid skills base to venture into the hills in winter. The course will focus on personal winter mountain skills, winter mountain navigation, use of winter equipment, snow profiling & avalanche awareness, weather, route planning, planning for shorter days.
Winter Mountaineering Courses are run at this fantastic time of year in the Scottish Highlands by Snowgoose Centre when the hills and mountains are covered with snow and ice.
Our skills based winter courses for climbing, mountaineering and guiding are delivered in the mountains around the Ben Nevis and Glencoe areas in a convenient location 4 miles from Fort William. We deliver courses in ice axe & crampon techniques, avalanche awareness, through to advanced winter climbing courses.
We introduce complete winter novices to the basic winter walking skills needed to travel in the mountains of the Scottish Highlands safely in winter giving a solid skills base to those who wish to extend their summer mountain walking into the winter.
The progression from hill & mountain walking in summer to winter mountain walking can be challenging. There are many more factors to consider, use of winter equipment, navigation, weather, shorter days and personal winter mountain skills. If progress into more challenging environments such as Scottish winter and have summer mountain experience private guiding can provide this.
Previous Experience & Fitness:
Some previous experience of summer hill walking with basic map & compass work in mountainous country or those who wish to brush up on, refresh skills learnt previously or extend their hill walking seasons safely into autumn & winter conditions with like minded friends. Winter in the Scottish mountains can be particularly demanding particularly in poor weather – good fitness and personal equipment are essential.
Local Landscape enables us to tailor private guiding to your requirement’s and needs.
Overview of what can be covered during your private guiding:
The main part of the course will deal with moving safely through major Scottish Mountains in winter conditions introducing winter novices to basic winter walking skills covering all the essential knowledge to give a solid skills base to venture into the Scottish hills in winter.
Except for an initial briefing & essential Winter Mountain Safety talk the course will all take place out “on the hill”. Depending on the length of the course we will be working on:
Winter equipment and clothing – choice, selection – an ideal opportunity for winter novices take advantage or advice & experience winter mountain equipment and clothing – before investing heavily in buying specialist gear. Please see our Winter Kit List for guidance.
Winter mountain navigation – pacing and timing; aiming off, trans sections; boxing, doglegs; relocation techniques.
Route finding techniques in white out / deep snow conditions to minimize energy output.
Survival and rescue techniques along with safe choice of routes and planning.
Emergency procedures.
Recognition of and avoidance of hypothermia and dehydration in adverse weather conditions.
Use of ice axe and crampons – ice axe arrests – self arrests without an ice axe.
Step cutting, kicking steps; fitting crampons; walking in crampons; using crampons for ascent / descent; moving together; glissading. Use of ski poles.
Safety on steep ground in winter with confidence roping without becoming too involved in technical rope work.
Emergency rope work.
Digging emergency snow shelters.
Basic safety and nutritional techniques, which can be applied to all mountain activities within UK and alpine terrain through summer and winter.
A daily assessment of weather.
Assessment of snow pack conditions along with avalanche awareness and prediction.
Ascent of winter Munro & easy ridges.
Start Time: 09:00
End Time: 17:00
Meeting Point: Snowgoose Centre
We do not accept folks mid way in a course Times & Meeting: Normally meet at 09.00 hrs. At Snowgoose Centre for a briefing or on location / Winter Mountain Safety Talk / fitting of boots & crampons so that we can all maximise a full day on the hill on the 1st day. We look at coming off the hill by 17.00 hrs. Please plan your travel arrangements around these times.
Location : Lochaber Area, Ben Nevis, Glen Coe Mountain ranges. Depending on the group, the prevailing weather conditions & the length of the course the first day at least will normally be spent at Aonach Mor using the gondola up lift to maximise day light hours & snow conditions.
What is included: Our winter mountain prices include: harnesses; helmet; all technical climbing gear such as karabiners, belay plates etc. all survival and safety gear and ropes. This introduction to winter mountain walking program offers an ideal, cost effective opportunity for novices to learn the requirements of winter mountain equipment and clothing – before investing heavily in buying specialist gear. Please see our Winter Kit List for guidance.
Not included in our standard basic prices: Suitable winter boots B2, ice axe or crampons, map & compass, rucksack min 30ltr, any personal clothing – however most of these items can be hired locally, we can assist with hire pick-up the day before. Gondola uplift tickets at Nevis Range are also required for possibly the first one or two days – depending on the weather conditions & length of course.. No food is included in the price of the course and please arrange your own insurance.
Accommodation, you can book this Direct with us via accommodation section.
Max 1:4 Depending on your group, per instructor
| To wear: |
| · Warm/windproof trousers |
| · Thermal long johns (optional) |
| · Thermal top |
| · Fleece top |
| · Rigid-soled winter boots, with appropriate socks |
| · Gaiters |
| · Warm hat |
| · Gloves or mitts |
| To carry: |
| · Rucksack – about 45 litres |
| · Waterproof jacket (with hood) |
| · Waterproof over-trousers |
| · Spare layer e.g. fleece top |
| · Spare gloves/mitts (at least two pairs) |
| · Spare hat |
| · Compass |
| · Map (waterproof or in waterproof case) |
| · Watch |
| · Torch (preferably a head torch) |
| · Spare batteries for the torch – or, preferably, a spare headtorch |
| · Emergency survival bag (polythene is OK) and Group Shelter |
| · Whistle |
| · First Aid Kit (small) |
| · Mobile phone |
| · Sun cream |
| · Sunglasses – sometimes the sun does shine in winter! |
| · Goggles – essential for navigation in some conditions |
| · Walking poles (optional) |
| · Ice axe |
| · Crampons |
| · Food and drink |
| · Hot drink in a thermos flask |
| · Spare high energy foods (e.g. sweets or chocolate) |
| In addition you may consider a snow shovel and a helmet. |
