All Scottish Winter Mountain Courses

Winter Expedition Skills

Camping based, these winter expedition-training courses are a great way to prepare for Himalayan and high altitude expeditions. Alongside ascending a number of summits the course will gives you a full range of skills training: crampons and ice axe, packing light, camping in snow, using fixed lines, snow holes and much more.

Ben Nevis in Winter

A winter ascent of Ben Nevis 1344m is a challenging undertaking not to be compared to a summer ascent. This Course is designed to give you the necessary winter skills training to allow a safe ascent of the UK’s highest mountain in winter conditions!

Winter 3 Peaks Challenge

This is an alternative guided winter version of the 3-Peaks Challenge; Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon. The challenge in winter is much tougher but escapes the summer crowds and provides some spectacular winter views. If you don’t already have ice axe and crampons skills you will need to attend a pre challenge-training day on the Friday.

Introduction to Snow and Ice Climbing

The course will cover:

• Snow belays, rock and ice anchors

• Multi-pitch climbing

• Route choice and avalanche avoidance

• Movement and technique

• Throughout the course we will aim to ascend some of Scotland’s classic routes.

Improvers Snow and Ice Climbing

The course will cover all aspects of the Intro course plus:

• routes graded lll-V
• learning to lead (when conditions allow)
• multi-pitch climbing
• advanced techniques of ice & rock protection
• movement and technique
• retreating safely
• Throughout  the course we will aim to ascend some of Scotland’s classic routes

Winter Wild Camping Journeys

A different journey on each date, this is a great way to train and prepare for a Himalayan or high altitude expedition. Less skills training and more journeying, you should be prepared to carry 20kg for up to six hours per day as we complete a wild mountain journey across the Winter Peaks.

Scottish Winter Mountaineering Course

This Course is ideal for the keen hill walker and scrambler who wants to progress and learn the essential skills of winter mountaineering.

Scottish Winter Walking Skills

An ideal course for hill walkers who want to learn the essential skills needed to enjoy winter walking.  A good level of hill walking fitness required.

Scottish Guided Winter Walking

A continuation of the Winter Walking Skills course. Aimed at those who have already gained the essential skills and simply want to enjoy walking in the winter hills under our expert guidance whilst consolidating their experience without the need to move onto steeper climbing terrain.

More information

Background information

Our Scottish Winter Courses will provide you with the skills to venture into the mountains in winter conditions with more confidence, join an expedition or a more advanced course. Course activities normally start at 9am, finishing around 5pm except on the final day when you will finish around 4pm to take account of onward travel.

Location

The Glencoe hills and Ben Nevis (Fort William) provide some of the best winter walking and climbing conditions in Britain suitable for the beginner and the expert alike. It is the perfect training ground for mountaineering in the Alps or the Greater Ranges.

Getting there

Only a short flight from London and the South of England to Glasgow International Airport, followed by a 2.5 hour drive or a connection by coach or train. You can go by train all the way via Glasgow to Fort William.

Accommodation

We use either the Loch Leven Hotel or the Onich Hotel, both conveniently situated half way between Glencoe and Ben Nevis. They provide everything you need to relax after a hard day on the hill; large en-suite rooms, comfortable bar, restaurant and high quality food. Accommodation is booked from the night of your arrival, with instruction starting the following morning. Check out is normally on the morning of your final day unless you have booked an additional night. This is booked on a twin or double room basis; however single rooms will be provided where there is not a member of the same sex to share with. Single rooms can be requested at an extra cost. Our price includes all meals (breakfast, packed lunch and a three course evening meal), starting with breakfast on your first morning, through to packed lunch on the day of your departure. Bar meals can be purchased until 8.30pm for those wishing to eat at the hotel on the day of arrival.

Equipment

On booking we will send you an equipment list which contains plenty of information on the kit required. We have an extensive range of specialised equipment for hire which is also available for purchase following your course. We will deduct the hire cost from the second hand price. A 15% discount is available off the RRP price on all equipment and clothing from the Adventure Peaks shop from the time of booking to 1 year from the date the course ends, (excludes maps, books electrical goods, courses, treks, expeditions and hire kit) SHOP ONLINE

Insurance

We recommend you have travel insurance to cover cancellation/curtailment. Search and rescue cover is not required as Scotland has a dedicated voluntary Mountain Rescue Service. Insurance information can be provided on request.

Instructors

The majority of our leaders are MIC Guides many of whom are members of AMI (Association of Mountaineering Instructors). www.ami.org.uk