outdoor winter courses
Hillwalking, Mountaineering and Winter Climbing in Scotland can give you some fantastically rewarding days on the hill, whatever the weather.
Whilst sunny days, cloud inversions and crisp snow underfoot have obvious attractions, battling your way up a climb in blizzard conditions can also provide satisfaction – even if it is in retrospect from the warmth of the bar!
To make your day out safe the summer hillwalker/mountaineer needs an expanded ‘toolbox’ of skills. Whether you are a summer walker looking to get out in winter, a winter walker looking to refresh their skills or move onto steeper ground, or a first time winter climber Ice Factor instructors can provide something for you. Our courses are divided into Winter Mountaincraft (Introduction To and Advanced) and Winter Climbing (see below).
Open Courses are where an individual books onto a course with dates offered by us and will find themselves part of a group with similar experience and aims. Please note we require a minimum of 2 people booked into open Mountaincraft/Advanced mountaincraft courses to make them financially viable. If you are the only person booked in on the course you will receive a full refund 1 week before the course date/the option of paying a single person supplement. Private Courses are just that, you have paid for a private instructor at dates of your choosing. By paying a little more you know that the course will be all about your needs and will move at your pace.
A typical day will involve an 8.00 am start (possibly earlier to take advantage of the Nevis Range Gondola or for a big day on Ben Nevis) and you should expect to be active until 5.00 or 6.00 pm. Please arrive fit for your course. Days may be long and strenuous and you will get much more out of your course if you are fit enough to enjoy it! Activities such as hillwalking, cycling and swimming will all help. If you have any questions about training or fitness please contact the centre: info@ice-factor.co.uk or by calling 01855 831 100. As much as possible of each day will be spent high up above the snowline and for this reason we may make use of the Nevis Range Gondola for which there is a small additional charge.
Scottish Winter conditions are fickle by nature and courses will be structured around and affected by the weather, temperature and amounts of snow and ice available. All courses will be aimed at making the best use of these conditions and the local knowledge and experience of your instructor should ensure that the day meets your requirements as closely as is possible. Please note we do not cancel courses simply because of bad weather, we will always aim to get on the hill and offer suitable training. As a last resort all or part of the day can be spent indoors at The Ice Factor with your instructor.
Available Courses
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