Winter Mountaineering

Instructor to client ratio 1:4 maximum.

These courses are aimed at those with some winter walking experience who would like some further training in winter mountaineering skills perhaps with a view to moving onto steeper ground.

Topics to look at include:

  • Ropework for Grade I/II Gullies, e.g. Broad Gully Stob Coire Nan Lochain, No. 3 Gully Ben Nevis, Central Gully Bidean Nam Bian
  • Ropework for Grade I/II Ridges and Buttresses, e.g. East Ridge of Beinn a Chaorainn , Ledge Route on Ben Nevis, Sron Na Lairig
  • Emergency snow shelters and snowholes
  • Ongoing training in avalanche awareness and navigation

For those looking to a good introduction to Winter Mountaineering skills we offer a 2 day course. If you would like a more in depth course it is possible to book a private instructor or to extend your 2 day course on a private basis.

These courses are aimed at moving you further down the road towards becoming independent winter mountaineers. The decision as to whether teaching takes place on graded ground or merely steep terrain will be based on the Instructor’s Assessment of the Group’s experience, conditions and the number of people in the party.

Courses are subject to the needs and fitness of the clients and prevailing conditions but a sample programme might be:

Day 1: Gully day. There will be a component of refreshing basic winter skills on this day and then the attention turns to rope skills necessary to tackle simple snow gullies. Including the assessment of snow conditions, placing snow and Ice anchors, rigging belays and stance management.
Day 2: Ridge day. Rope skills for ridges and buttresses. Including running belays, rock anchors, and stance management.
Day 3: Mountain day. A further skills teaching day or guided day on a longer or harder route.
Day 4: Client led day. Clients put their new tools into practise as part of a mountain day on a mountaineering route of suitable length with the instructor in close attendance acting as advisor/giving further coaching.

What next?

  • Winter Climbing

Dates and Prices for Winter Mountaineering Courses.

Minimum Numbers 2 pax to make a course viable

Open Course Dates:

Our Open Courses run most weekends from January to early March. Please contact us for availability.

Open Winter Mountaineering Course Prices:

£80pp per day

Private Course Dates:

Any date, as per your needs

Off Peak Private Course Prices: January and March 1 Day 2 Days 3 Days 4 Days 5 Days
One person £150 £295 £435 £570 £700
Two people £170 £335 £495 £650 £800
Three people £190 £375 £555 £730 £900
Four people £210 £415 £615 £810 £1000
Five people £230 £455 £675 £890 £1100
Six people £250 £495 £735 £970 £1200
Peak Season Private Course Prices: February 1 Day 2 Days 3 Days 4 Days 5 Days
One person £165 £325 £480 £630 £775
Two people £185 £365 £540 £710 £875
Three people £205 £405 £600 £790 £975
Four people £225 £445 £660 £870 £1075
Five people £245 £485 £720 £950 £1175
Six people £265 £525 £780 £1030 £1275