Winter Mountaineering Course
Glencoe/ Fort William
3 out of 5: Moderate
2 Days
1:2 (Needs 2 to Run)
From £310
Course Overview
Take your winter skills to the next level with our Winter Mountaineering Course in the West Highlands of Scotland. Designed for experienced winter walkers, this 2-day course based around Glencoe and Fort William focuses on safely tackling steeper and more technical terrain. You'll gain the winter mountaineering skills to navigate classic Scottish winter routes such as the Aonach Eagach ridge in Glencoe or Ledge Route on Ben Nevis, graded at Scottish Winter I to II. Perfect for those looking to experience the exciting positions and stunning landscapes of Scotland’s Western Highlands, this course equips you to move confidently and learn the technical skills to move safely over winter mountaineering ground.
Course Length
Our Winter Mountaineering course is 2 days. We offer bespoke courses and run these in the West Highlands from December until April.
Cost
The course cost is £310 per person, with a minimum and maximum of two people required. Northwest Mountaineering also offers a private 1:1 Course at £580.
Experience Needed
This course is ideal for those with a good level of fitness and previous scrambling experience along with ideally having knowledge and experience of essential winter skills such as wearing crampons and using an ice axe.
When
Whenever suits you. We also schedule dates for Winter Mountaineering Course
Our West Highlands Winter Mountaineering course utilises a conditions-based approach to ensure the best possible experience in Scotland’s diverse weather. Your expert instructor or guide will select an appropriate venue to help develop skills to become more confident in using winter equipment combined with introducing basic ropework to ensure safety and learning how to stay safe in the Scottish winter mountains.
Outline of Areas Covered in the Two Days
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Understanding what clothing works best in the winter environment
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Learning the limitations of equipment in winter and making sure the kit is appropriate for the intention
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Gaining experience with using crampons and ice axe
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Knowing how to effectively perform an ice axe arrest
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Understanding basic ropework and belaying
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Understanding basic winter navigation and safe and efficient route planning
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Knowing and understanding of how to safely build snow anchors
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Avalanche avoidance and understanding winter weather
Munros and summits on our West Highlands Winter Mountaineering Course may include some of the following;
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Ben Nevis
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Stob Corrie nan Lochan
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Buchaille Etive Beag Ridge
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Stob Deag (Buchaille Etive Mor)
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Meall a Bhuiridh
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Aonoach Mor
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Our Winter Mountaineering Courses maintain a maximum ratio of 1:2. This approach prioritises safety while allowing for personalised instruction on the essential skills needed to stay safe and enjoy the unique challenges of the Scottish winter mountaineering environment.
The Scottish winter can be demanding, particularly when combined with the effort of a strenuous hike to reach higher summits, often carrying a heavy pack from sea level. Therefore, we recommend participants have prior experience with winter mountain walking and be at least 18 years old.
Winter 2024/ 2025
Below is a list of dates for our Winter Mountaineering Course in the winter of 2024 - 2025. We also run bespoke dates (including midweek) if none of these work, so feel free to get in touch.
Prices are £310 per person for an open course with a maximum and minimum of 2 people required.
A private course with a date to suit you is £580 for the 2 days
Weekend of 25th & 26th January
Weekend of 1st & 2nd February
Weekend of 8th & 9th February
Weekend of 1st & 2nd March
Weekend of 8th & 9th March
Weekend of 15th & 16th March
2025 Open Course Dates
Weekend of 25th & 26th January
Weekend of 1st & 2nd February
Weekend of 8th & 9th February
Weekend of 1st & 2nd March
Weekend of 8th & 9th March
Weekend of 15th & 16th March
